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Chris Grayson
made this quilt with her daughter, Amy, in mind. With nine children, including
seven boys, Grayson wanted to do something special for her daughter. (Karen Emerson-McPeak / Staff) |
Reprinted with permission of the Williamson County Review Appeal
©2004 Williamson County Review Appeal and Karen Emerson-McPeak
By KAREN EMERSON-McPEAK - Review Appeal Staff Reporter
Franklin, TN April 16, 2004
Don't even begin to think that quilters are the same
as they were when your grandmother quilted.
No longer are quilts just used for bedcovers, and no longer
do quilters have the seriousness of years ago. Oh, they’re serious about the quality
of their quilts, but the subjects would leave our grannies speechless — to say the least.
Every month, the Cumberland Valley Quilt Guild meets to
show and tell, listen to speakers and share ideas. This month, 20-plus quilters did
their best for a quilt challenge organized by Norma Buida using the theme "It's a
girl thing." The quilts were displayed and the entire 100 quilters could vote on
the best eight quilts. The eight winning quilters were Kay Roberts, Judy Weverka,
Kathy Kuryla, Paula Mulvihill, Jan Kapitzky Smith, Carolann Laird, Sara Webster
and Chris Grayson.
Each quilter had the opportunity to explain their quilt
and where they came up with inspiration. Some of the ideas you would never have
imagined on a quilt.
One of the eight winners was Judy Weverka with a toilet
seat quilt; rather, a representation of four toilet seats. Weverka credits funny
home videos, eBay and family with her ideas. Each seat lifted to show more surprises,
and the quilt even made a flushing sound when the right button was pressed.
Kay Roberts used a familiar country song about a "Hot Mama"
and women's lingerie to adorn her quilt. She even included a couple of tattoos in the squares.
Paula Mulvihill used the Red Hat Society for her inspiration,
while Sara Webster combined moonlight and flowers from fabric found in Hawaii.
"It's a girl thing to be beautiful in the moonlight," Webster said.
Jan Smith also used exotic fabric to create her girl
shopping quilt, while Chris Grayson said she made her quilt for one of her two
daughters. The mother of nine — including seven boys — said she also used her
daughter, Amy, for inspiration.
Before the announcement of the winning quilts, Webster
told the ladies how to take care of quilts.
"When I first started quilting, I thought all quilts
had to go on beds. I made quilts for everyone in my family. Then I started making
holiday quilts and rotating them."
Webster suggested layering all bed quilts and large wall
hangings on a bed, as they will lay flat and not get crease lines in them. She also
suggested that if a quilt was hung on a rack, acid-free paper should be used between
the quilt and the wood.
"Wood will harm the quilt," she said. "You know those
brown stains on some quilts? That could be from wood."
She also suggested folding quilts in thirds, not in half,
to avoid crease lines.
"Refold often and refold in a different direction. Also,
store your quilts away from strong light. If you have to use a wrapper, store it
in a pillowcase, not in plastic. "
Always putting a sleeve on a quilt is another suggestion
Webster made.
"Most contests want a double sleeve. I do this while I'm
making my quilt. I also use a quarter-yard of fabric folded in half and halved again.
I sew in the top edge in my binding seam, then all I have to do is finish one edge."
Webster says she uses the quartered fabric that forms
a sleeve to keep the wood-holder away from the fabric.
Other suggestions from Webster for quilting were to make
them afghan size, use a square for a tote bag, use a quilt for a shower curtain
and to make pillows with a square.
The eight winning quilts will be on display Aug. 18-21
at a national quilt show in Nashville.
Reprinted with permission of the Williamson County Review Appeal
©2004 Williamson County Review Appeal and Karen Emerson-McPeak
www.thequiltercommunity.com
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