We are pleased to be hosting the 2011 Annual Meeting and Spring Gathering of
Mississippi Quilt Association February 18-19 at
Hattiesburg Lake Terrace Convention Center. An interesting educational program is being planned, and new officers will be elected. It is always enjoyable to connect with our quilting friends from all over the state.
We will look back at vintage items and appraisals, and Carol Vickers will tell us about care; and we will look forward to art and contemporary quilts and how we are inspired to make them.
An unusual event will be the auctioning of four vintage quilt tops which had been given to Pine Belt Quilters for their Children's Quilt projects. In 2010 we donated 157 children's quilts, 21 isolet covers, 100 fleece blankets (for Haiti and Honduras), and nine full-size quilts for soldiers' families. We receive donations of fabric but have to purchase batting and specific solids for these efforts, so these vintage quilt tops will help buy these supplies.
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| Apple Core |
These tops are well made and clean; apparently an avid piecer went on to other activities instead of completing these. Apple Core is hand-pieced, and the fabrics appear to be a combination of cottons and shirt blends. The size is about 59" wide x 90" long.
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| Double Wedding Ring |
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The Double Wedding Ring top is partially done, with four rows assembled, another row ready to add, plus a generous stack of "melon" pieces. Some of the white background pieces have a quilting design pencilled on.
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| Red-White-Blue Star |
The Star quilt is machine pieced using three fabrics with very neat stitching. It is photographed on an 80" x 80" king-size bed, so the size adequately covers the bed. The fabrics appear new and of good quality.
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| Grandmother's Flower Garden (view 1) |
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| Grandmother's Flower Garden (view 2) |
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| Grandmother's Flower Garden (view 3) |
This Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt is beautifully hand-pieced,with a lavender path and is very large. It seems the maker did not know when she was through and just kept adding hexagons until she lost her way. The width is about 90", and the length is . . . well, longer than that, depending on how it is finished.
We will auction these tops by live auction; however, if you are interested and cannot attend the Gathering, please send your bid by mail to Martha Ginn. (my name at bellsouth.net)
In the Briar Patch, by Sally Henderson
Sally Henderson, a PBQ member who donates many children's quilts, made "In the Briar Patch" to be auctioned at the MQA Gathering February 18-19 at Lake Terrace Conventon Center in Hattiesburg. Sally embroidered the bunnies in action and quilted circular feather designs and hearts in the alternate blocks. This quilt will be added to the vintage quilt tops to be auctioned. (See previous post for these pictures.)
Riley Rouse and Kim Newell accepting quilts for Shafer Center for Crisis Intervention
Marilyn Howell holding an armful of stockings; gifts to stuff them fill the table behind her
Sha Polk, Sonya Duncan, and Annie Jackson receiving quilts for South Mississippi Children's Center
Sharon Nobles and her son Robert, who is leaving for basic training
John and Sarah Odom accepting the quilt for their daughter, CPT Rachel Odom, who is serving in Alaska
Debbie Davis' son serves in the Air Force and his wife serves in the Army, as shown by their quilt label
Our president, Shirley Wiltshire, visits with the Three Mennonite Sisters--Barbara Cline, Polly Yoder, and Julia Graber. The three inspired us with their Power Point presentation of their close -knit famiy, their love of quilting, and how they are passing on this tradition through generations of their family. They have begun a joint blog you might enjoy checking out. Barbara is staying in Mississippi a few days to teach at Julia's home. She had copies of her book, Star Struck Quilts, available for purchase. She also announced that C&T is publishing a second book for her soon.
The vendors had mountains of fabric, tempting longarm machines, and every new gadget you could desire!
Sally Henderson shows a group how she quilts with her embroidery machine. Sally brings new quilts to Show and Tell every month, and she happily shared her methods with the eager audience.
The Silent Auction area is a popular place, with 30 items up for bids. There are wall hangings, baby quilts, stuffed animals, doll quilts, table runners, and dolls. The boutique is filled with handmade items and quilt magazines at give-away prices. 
The vendors have arrived and are setting up--wow--what treats are in store!
The Hoffman Challenge has been hung. This is an exhibit of 40 quilts which travel to venues like ours.
Just a few more pieces to hang . . .
Pine Belt Quilters celebrated 25 years in October of 2009. We're still celebrating and looking forward to many more productive and educational years. This display features some of our quilt show booklets, picture albums, and other memorabilia. The two quilts pictured are from our Anniversary Challenge. Martha Ginn's (left) features photos from our past, and Jo-Ann Evans' (right) highlights milestones and presidents' tenures from 1984 to the present.
