THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 29, 1994 TAG: 9409280145
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SHIRLEY BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines
AFTER SWAPPING PATTERNS, learning new skills and sharing their quilting expertise for several years, members of the Suffolk Quilters Guild will share their talents with the community during the annual Suffolk Peanut Fest.
Two years ago, the members decided to pool their efforts and create a quilt to be donated and used as a fund-raiser for the Nansemond-Suffolk Rescue Squad.
Thirty pairs of hands began to stitch quilt blocks, and the result was a ``sampler quilt,'' which will be on display in the Rescue Squad tent at the Peanut Fest site. And for $1, some lucky person will win a work of art, worth at least $800, and a matching wall-hanging created from the quilt scraps by Jane Alexander. Included will be a ``sleeve'' used for hanging the quilt on a wall, and directions for its care.
The drawing for the quilt will take place at the Nansemond-Suffolk Rescue Squad's annual banquet Dec. 3.
``The materials, which were paid for by the Guild treasury, cost about $100,'' said member Connie Taylor, ``and I don't even know how to guess the number of hours that were spent working on it.''
After the blocks were quilted, they were stretched and displayed at the 1993 Quilt Show held at the Suffolk Museum. Following the show, the blocks were assembled and sewn together to create the quilt.
Taylor is in charge of the Guild's Special Projects Committee, which was responsible for laying out the finished quilt blocks and putting put them together in strips. Each block was pieced or appliqued by a different local stitcher.
``Some of us met on the third Saturday of the month for three months to put the strips together,'' Taylor said.
The sampler quilt, sized for a double bed, features 30 squares in a variety of patterns chosen from both old-time favorites and contemporary designs.
The exhibit committee, led by Susan Barrett, chose the colors, which include a rose print, a solid burgundy for accent, a touch of gray-green, and a small burgundy and rose design for the border. The border was made by Jane Burgold, the Guild president.
Several patterns are named after states or capitals - Oregon Trail, Wyoming Valley, Richmond, Ohio Star and Star of North Carolina.
``Some have a religious background, such as Caesar's Crown and Jacob's Ladder,'' Taylor said. ``Popular designs are Richmond, Dresden Plate and Bear's Paw. People have passed them on through the years. The more experienced quilters worked on the more difficult patterns.''
Chartered in 1987 under the sponsorship of the Suffolk Department of Parks and Recreation, the Suffolk Quilters Guild meets at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month at the Senior Citizens Center, 350 N. Main St. Members from Windsor and Suffolk represent two generations, from young mothers to retired grandmothers.
``Our purpose is to promote interest in the heritage and art of quilting, to promote companionship among fellow quilters and to present an opportunity for increasing the knowledge of and appreciation for the art of quilting,'' Taylor said.
Taylor became involved in the Guild after she enrolled in a quilting class under the instruction of Guild member Emily Dalton.
``Emily doesn't want to say she's our adviser, but we know she is,'' Taylor said, smiling. ``A good meeting is when I learn something. We have guests demonstrate at our meetings, and our group attends the Tidewater Guild meetings and shows.''
A retired economics teacher at Suffolk High School and former vice president of the Guild, Taylor describes herself as a ``calico person.''
Since she began quilting, Taylor has created several quilts, wall hangings and even a quilted window cornice for herself and members of her family. Her husband, John, an artist and instructor in acrylics and watercolors, encourages her in her work.
``I sit up at night, take a 14-inch hoop, prop my feet up, watch TV - and quilt.'' SUFFOLK ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Connie Taylor shows the quilt the Suffolk Quilters Guild is donating
to the Peanut Fest to raise funds for the Nansemond-Suffolk Rescue
Squad.
by CNB