After an absence because of the pandemic, the Village Crafters brought back the “Creative Threads” quilt show.
Held Friday and Saturday at Chota Recreation Center in Tellico Village, the show featured 150 pieces, including quilts and items made by members of the organization.
Planning started in spring 2021, Robin Baus, show chairperson, said.
“We’ve been working on this show for 18 months and to have it finally be here and to see all the different components come together into just one absolute fantastic event, I’m very proud of not only the guild members but especially the people who were in charge of the show,” Baus said. “... How it just has all come together, and it’s here. I was so excited this morning for it, ‘Yes, this is the quilt show day!’ You know for it to be here it’s a wonderful thing.”
The last show was in 2018. The 2020 event was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The guild often hosts speakers and educational activities for members and the community. The show serves as a fundraiser, and the ability to hold the show again this year was welcomed.
“That’s really how we support the guild,” Jane Salmon, former president, said. “That is our fundraiser, and so that’s how we are able to bring in those national speakers, supporting the community service, anything like that, the proceeds from this show that’s how we do that.
“So that’s why we were really hurting,” she added. “Trying to live on the budget from four years ago when normally we need it for two years. That’s our main fundraiser and that supports all of our efforts that we do.”
Baus said members could submit two pieces this year. While the Crafters boast 300 members, submission was optional, as was judging by a certified quilt adjudicator. The final pieces ranged in style from a more traditional form to modern.
Most items at the show were quilts, but clothing and bags were part of the display. Baus said the ribbons given to judged pieces were made by member Lori Rorstad.
“I am awed by the talent in this group of people that gather once a month and get together and do these classes and show,” Salmon said. “As an observer, I just walk around, and I’m saying, ‘Look at that! Look what she did.’ I mean, that’s just what I’m thinking, and I’m kind of used to it. Then as a member and past officer of the guild, I am so proud. Well, I’m awe struck on one hand. I am so proud to show this to the community.”
A group milestone was celebrated Friday. At 3 p.m., the Crafters donated their 8,000th quilt to the Monroe County Schools Family Resource Center.
Crafters have donated quilts to 24 organizations and charities in the region, ranging from schools to Quilts of Valor. Such donations are part of what members focus on in addition to education, Salmon said.
“It’s just kind of overwhelming because they didn’t start counting quilts as soon as they started giving quilts,” Rose Remund, co-chair of community service, said. “This is the 8,000th since they started counting, which might have been in, I don’t know 2004. We gave the 6,000th quilt in March 2020. So here we are two and a half years later, we made 2000 more quilts to give away. It’s just a heartwarming experience.”
Remund joined the group in 2005 and has been co-chair of community service for three years. She said the resource center was chosen after the previous number of quilts donated ran out.
Sherri Raper, director of the Family Resource Center for Monroe County Schools, said quilts are given to families and children in need. Such quilts are special to children who often don’t have something they can call their own, she said.
“It means everything,” Raper said. “These children they hardly ever get anything new and to have a quilt that they can just snuggle up with it’s just like a new baby. A lot of times that’s their care blanket that they carry with them. I had one mom to tell me that her little boy will not go out the house without his little quilt, so that’s his comfort. That makes us feel good to hear that we’ve given something to a child that they cherish.”
