36th Annual Quilt Show

By Jubilee P. Reid

Original Publish Date: October 5, 2023

On Tuesday, October 3^rd the McMinn County Living Heritage Museum, in alliance with the Heritage Quilt Guild of McMinn County, will open the 36^th Annual Quilt Show. This 126-piece collection, titled “Sew Many Quilts,” will be on display through October 28^th. Thirty-two awards as well as honorable mentions were awarded by certified quilt judge, appraiser, and historian, Cynthia Stuart. Thank you to all the generous sponsors including Denso Manufacturing Inc., Heritage Quilt Guild, Gondolier Pizza & Steak House, Jerry and Teri Cassem, Bren Wilson, and Joy Wegand.

There is no extra charge to see the show, only standard museum admission which is free for members, $5 for adults and $3 for students and seniors. Museum admission will be free for everyone during the Pumpkintown Fall Festival on Saturday, October 14^th. Visitors to the museum are invited to vote on their favorite quilt; at the end of the show, the quilt with the most votes will receive the Viewer’s Choice award.

A festive Christmas quilt made by members of Heritage Quilt Guild will be displayed at the museum during the show. This beautiful quilt won 1^st place in the Group Quilt category. Visitors can purchase tickets for an opportunity to win this quilt for $2 apiece or $5 for three tickets. The drawing will be held on December 5^th. The quilt can be mailed to an out-of-town winner.

There will be several quilt-related events taking place during the show. The Tennessee Quilt Study Group, facilitated by Cynthia Stuart, will meet at the museum on Wednesday, October 11^th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This free event is open to all. Donations to the museum are appreciated. The program will include a presentation about antique crazy quilts and a discussion about the popular quilt designer of the 1920’s and 30’s, Ruby Short McKim. Attendees are welcome to bring one or two antique quilts to show and receive information on.

On October 7^th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. there will be a class on precise piecing taught by award-winning quilter, Kathleen Rountree. On October 21^st from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. there will be a class instructed by Linda Crouch McCredie on how to sew a foundation paper-pieced New York Beauty quilt block.

Come by the museum during October to see this incredible display of quilts! Each quilt is unique with many patterns and colors. Be sure to vote on your favorite one!

Listed below are the winners who were announced at the Awards Ceremony on Saturday:

Best in Show: Beryl Newsome, “Jinny Beyer Baskets”

Excellence in Hand Workmanship: Linda Bosket, “Crazy”

Excellence in Machine Workmanship: Janet Meeks, “Medallion”

Best Use of Color and Design: Norma Barham, “Reagan’s Blooming Butterflies”

Judge’s Choice: Beryl Newsome, “Dragonflies”

Large Pieced Bed: 1^st Place – Jubilee Reid, “Porcelain Pieces”; 2^nd Place – Jerry Cassem, “Open Skies”; 3^rd Place – Beryl Newsome, “Southwest Spread”; Honorable Mention – Mae Wells “Double Wedding Ring”

Small Pieced Bed: 1^st Place – Carol Johnson, “Amazing Grey”; 2^nd Place – Jo Bell, “Black Storm”; 3^rd Place – Jubilee Reid, “Blue Chandelier”; Honorable Mention – Janet Brown, “All Churned Up”

Large Wall Hanging: 1^st Place – Norma Barham, “Do Farmers Ever Really Retire?”; 2^nd Place – Jerry Cassem, “Connector”; 3^rd Place – Joy Wegand, “Tennessee Exploding Heart”; Honorable Mentions – Carol Johnson, “Evendale”; & Janet Meeks, “Medallion”

Small Wall Hanging: 1^st Place – Toni Stevenson, “April Showers”; 2^nd Place – Carol Johnson, “Season’s Spring Table Runner”; 3^rd Place – Norma Barham, “Honey, Where’s the Wrench?”; Honorable Mention – Joyce Craig, “Walking the Dog”; Janet Meeks, “Gulf Sunset”; & Kathy Abbott, “Mariner’s Compass”

Appliqué: 1^st Place – Becky Haney, “Christmas Sampler”; 2^nd Place – Sandra Black, “Simple Gifts”; 3rd Place – Beryl Newsome, “Dragonflies”; Honorable Mentions – Linda Bosket, “Christmas Cheer”; & Norma Barham, “Reagan’s Blooming Butterflies”

Group: 1^st Place – Heritage Quilt Guild, “Home Sweet Holidays”; 2nd Place – Joyce Craig, “Red & Blue Stars”; 3rd Place – Marti Blount, “Vintage Flower Garden”; Honorable Mention – Mary Nielson, “Wrapped in Flowers”

Mixed Techniques: 1^st Place – Sandra Black, “Woodland Creatures”; 2nd Place – Janet Meeks, “Backyard Birds”; 3rd Place – Penny Cross, “Out in Nature”; Honorable Mentions – Helen Leigh, “Tin Car”; Linda Bosket, “Crazy”; & Janet Meeks, “Generational Talent Meets”

Miscellaneous: 1^st Place – Toni Stevenson, “Valentine Ready”; 2^nd Place – Leighann Bergherm, “Forest Friends”; 3^rd Place – Beryl Newsome, “Impromptu”; Honorable Mentions – Toni Stevenson, “Haunted Hexie Topper”; Debbie Valles, “Come Sew with Me”; & Toni Stevenson, “Lovey Cover”

Guild Challenge: 1^st Place – Janet Meeks, “Gulf Sunset”; 2^nd Place – Norma Barham, “Honey, Where’s the Wrench?”; 3^rd Place – Joyce Craig, “Walking the Dog”; Honorable Mentions – Toni Stevenson, “April Showers”; & Patricia Purdy, “Something’s Fishy in the Pond”