Quilt show features 67 vintage entries

By MARGARET HOBBS / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

It’s been said every quilt has a story behind it. That’s evident when reading the descriptive information on quilts displayed at the Antique Quilt Show at the Warren County A&L Fair. (James Clark and Margaret Hobbs photos)

Quilts have long been descriptive symbols of America. The people, places and ideas represented in these pieces of artwork are displayed on our beds, walls and museums. Quilting patterns such as friendship quilts, log cabin, pineapple pattern, drunkard’s path, grandmother’s flower garden and double-wedding ring are just a few of the unique designs incorporated in this art form.

An array of 67 vintage quilts were displayed Sept. 10 and 11 at the annual Antique Quilt Show. The event was held at Fairfield Village Courthouse as a first-day feature of the Warren County A&L Fair.

Persons entering quilts supplied approximate date of the heirloom, the name of its present owner and identity of the original quilt maker. Many provided stories that went along with the quilt’s history.

One particularly interesting quilt belongs to Leo Cantrell and was made by his mother, Pearl Cantrell. The heirloom, pieced in lovely hues of tangerine and green filled with thousands of tiny stitches, is close to 90 years old.

Officials at the show feel the lining was dyed from a mixture made from boiling tree bark, becoming a unique shade of brown.

Hearth and Home Quilter member Frances Ledford is working on a Dear Jane quilt top consisting of 255 delicately pieced squares. The design is taken from an 1863 Civil War quilt pattern.

“It will probably take me five years to get this one done.” said Ledford. “Come back then and, hopefully, I’ll have it exhibited.”

Earline Doak’s appliqu?d quilt, featuring tiny blocks, appliqu?d flowers and scalloped edge, earned her the People’s Choice Award.

First, second and third place winners were as follows:

Class A – Pieced: Leo Cantrell, first; Gretchen Rhea, second; Bill McCoy, third;

Class B – Appliqu?d: Earlene Doak, first; Bill McCoy, second; Earline Doak, third;

Class C – Embroidered: Bill McCoy, first and second; Mae Sparkman, third;

Class E – Unquilted Top: Allan Parris, first and second; Reba Hasty, third;

Class F – Most Unusual: Bill McCoy, first; Mike Fier, second; Mattie Maxwell, third;

Class G – Friendship: Linda Cantrell, first; Leo Cantrell, second; Tom Scott, third;

Class H – Pieced and Quilted: Tom Scott, first; Bill McCoy, second;

Class I – Crib Quilt: Carolyn Lance, first;

Class J – Coverlet: Linda Schlimmer, first; Linda Fisher, second; and Betty Adcock, third.