An Art and Family Heirloom – Quilts
Visitors to the quilt show enjoyed many different types of quilts, some of them made by the local guild, while others were handed down over generations.
Oskaloosa, Iowa – Quilts are works of art and love that are passed down for generations. Once a needed skill for comfort and warmth generations ago, today’s quilts are, more often than not, works of art given to a special person by the maker of the quilt. A labor of love, passed along, still providing warmth and comfort for the recipient.
This past weekend, the Mahaska Stitch N Quilt Guild hosted their biannual show at center court in Penn Central Mall.
The very first quilt show took place at the armory in Oskaloosa over 25 years ago.
Cindy Allison, a member of the guild, said that she loves quilting and her hobby has become a passion. “It tells a little bit about yourself,” said Allison of the work put into making a quilt, “It’s comfort. When you make a quilt, you’re giving comfort to somebody,” added Allison.
“Quilts are our jigsaw puzzles,” said Eileene Holub, President of the Guild.
“So, when we have any spare moment we can possibly find, we will like to have quilting time,” said Holub, with laughter from her fellow quilters. “We ‘cheat’ on our husbands by going to the quilt shop in Eddyville to sew.”
“It’s just such a fascinating thing, when you finish a quilt and you hang it up and step back, you look at it and think, I made that,” Holub said of the pride from completing a quilt.
“When you hand it to somebody, when you give the gift of a quilt… the overwhelming [emotions]. I’ve had people cry because it makes them feel so appreciated,” said Allison.
The Guild shares their talents and appreciation for veterans every year, by giving out many quilts to area veterans.
Some of the most special quilts are made from the garments of loved ones who have passed away.
“My mother-in-law passed away, and I made 18 quilts out of her beautiful blouses. Every one of those was received with tears,” said Holub.
“It’s something that is quite emotional to do,” added Holub. “The whole time that you’re working on them, it’s memories of that person.”
Of working on a quilt made from the garments of a family member, Allison agreed with Holub. “A few years ago, when my father-in-law passed away, I was given all his flannel shirts. You launder them, but you can still smell,” said Holub. “With my mother-in-law, I remember working on them and, she always smelled so nice… I knew I couldn’t smell it in the fabric, I knew it wasn’t in the fabric anymore, but I could still smell her as I was working on those quilts.”
