“The history of America can be seen in the history of quilts: in the rich heritage left us by those thrifty, self-sufficient women who helped settle this land, in the families whose history is sewn into quilts one patch at a time, and in the legacy of the quilting arts passed on to children and grandchildren so they may carry them forward to the future,” according to www.quilting-in-america.com.
The legacy of quilting has been part of the Annual Blue & Gray Reunion in downtown Philippi for years. For this year’s event, the Quilt Show has a new sponsor and a new location. After being hosted for many years by local businesswoman Marj Campbell in her store Mountain Treasures, the 2017 Quilt Show is being sponsored by The Eye of the Needle Quilt Guild and will be hosted in The Market Place at 107 S Main Street in Philippi.
The Eye of the Needle Quilt Guild is a charitable organization that has met since 2011. It currently meets on the third Wednesday of each month at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Philippi. Each year the Guild chooses projects to help the community with this year’s project being making lap quilts for the county’s hospital and long term care facilities. The Guild also assists Heart & Hand and the Women in Crisis Shelter. According to a Guild spokesperson, “Our meetings allow for fellowship and sewing, sharing quilt patterns, and new techniques.”
To enter a quilt in the 28th Annual Blue & Gray Quilt Show or to secure additional information, contact Anna Lou Stemple at 304-457-4431. A registration form for the Quilt Show can be found in this week’s Barbour Democrat, at the Reunion’s website www.blueandgrayreunion.org , and on Facebook.
