With some 600 beautiful quilts to choose from it would have been difficult for the 700 visitors to the Jean Andersen Memorial Quilt Show hosted by the Cariboo Piecemakers Quilt Club last weekend to vote for just one viewer’s choice award.
But they did it — selecting Alayne Steward’s quilt “My Whimsical Quilt Garden” as their collective favourite.
Steward says she began quilting with a passion about eight years ago.
“I made it my goal to try a different skill with every new quilt I made,” Steward says.
“When I saw My Whimsical Quilt Garden hanging in my favourite quilt shop, I knew I had to try my hand at needle turn appliqué.
“I don’t think I realized how much time and work this quilt would take, and half way through the first block I wondered if I had bitten off more than I could chew.”
Determination and perseverance paid off, though, and this happy, colourful quilt was worth every stitch, Steward says.
“I was able to get much practice on my appliqué skills, and needle turn appliqué has become my favourite handwork technique.”
The show that drew visitors and vendors from as far away as Chilliwack, Vanderhoof, Prince George, Bridge Lake, Grand Forks, Penticton, and 100 Mile House was a tribute to one of the club’s founding members, Jean Andersen, whose family selected 50 of her many quilts for exhibition in the show. Many more are with families.
Putting the show together was a total group effort says club president Rilla Warwick who was pleased with the entries and attendance.
“I think it was a fabulous tribute to Jean Andersen, one of our founding members,” Warwick said.
“The talent of the quilters never ceases to amaze me. We have so many gifted quilters in this area.”