Nothing sheepish about Meeker’s quilt show

By Sherida Warner
Sunday, September 2, 2012

The small northwest Colorado town of Meeker, population 2,500, long has been known for its classic sheepdog trials, with people and their extraordinary dogs coming from far and wide to compete each year.

This Friday and Saturday, folks will converge once again to watch the agile canines keep the woolly animals on their toes.

The entire community celebrates, and for the second year now, a group of women will present “Quilts in the Country,” a show that coincides with the Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials.

Members of the local P.E.O. Sisterhood, Chapter BA (Philanthropic Educational Organization) — many of whom quilt together, along with other friends, on a regular basis — staged their inaugural show last year at the sheepdog trials.

“We’ve had a lot of fun dreaming and organizing for this year’s show,” says Katie Conrado, one of the coordinators.

Quilts, both old and new, in various shapes and sizes will be exhibited at the historic Meeker Elementary School, 455 Main St. The venue lends itself to the second annual show with its old classrooms, large gymnasium and chalk-dusted blackboards.

“One cannot deny the treasures of history and memories united at the show,” Conrado says.

Meeker’s Pioneer Quilt, featuring hand-embroidered blocks made more than 75 years ago, once again will be shown.

Quilt owner Lucy Jane Howey has childhood memories of her Grandmother Smith being hostess of teas in her home for founding pioneer women.

At one tea, her grandmother handed out blocks of white fabric, requesting that each lady embroider her name and the date she first came to Meeker. Ninety-four women participated.

Later, the grandmother and Wilma Smith, Howey’s mother, assembled the blocks and hand-quilted them. Finished in 1936, when Howey was 10 years old, the Pioneer Quilt continues to be an important part of Meeker history.

“Quilts in the Country” functions as a benefit for the P.E.O. chapter, with proceeds going toward a scholarship for Meeker High School senior women who want to attend a vocational or trade school as their secondary education. P.E.O.‘s mission is to assist women in their educational endeavors.

Show hours are 1–8 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 
5:30 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $3.

A People’s Choice award will be given in each quilt category, so visitors are asked to vote for their favorites.

A country bake sale and a quilt raffle also are planned.

This year’s raffle quilt, constructed by six members of Chapter BA, recently was selected as reserve grand champion at the Rio Blanco County Fair.

Congratulations to these fine quilters, and to all of those whose efforts are bringing the handiwork of quilters from across northwest Colorado to the attention of many.

STATE FAIR WINNER

Speaking of fair winners, quilter Jackie Aguilar of Grand Junction won best of show for “Jackie Got Into Aunt Millie’s Garden” at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo.

This was after the large floral applique quilt won best of show in July at the Mesa County Fair.

Also in the state competition,  Aguilar picked up another Award of Excellence and a Best First Time Entry.

The state fair ends Monday.

It may be time for her to try the national circuit.

 

QUILT-A-FAIR

Later this month, the Colorado Quilting Council will sponsor its annual Quilt-A-Fair at the Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 21–22.

The event includes a quilt show by Colorado Springs quilters; a merchants’ mall with more than 90 vendors selling fabrics, tools, patterns and more; a raffle quilt gallery; a silent auction and a food court. Admission is $5, free to children under 10.

For a map and information, go to http://www.coloradoquilt
council.com.

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