'Quilt of the month' on display at Sun City West library

“Great Southern Land,” by Shary Evans, a traditionally pieced quilt measuring 57” x 61”, is now on display the R.H. Johnson Library through May

Having seen a version of the “Great Southern Land” pattern in a Prescott quilt store, Evans began searching for the fabrics she wanted to use in her own quilt in several fabric stores. The main inspiration was the Australian lizard fabric (along the borders and back of the quilt), which she purchased at the Prescott store because it reminded her of the desert.

In fact, Evans said, “Most of my time was spent in finding the right fabrics ... (and) probably several days of arranging the fabrics and then piecing them together.”

She said that the fabric placement was the most challenging, blending the lights and darks “to please the eye ... Some fabrics were taken out and new ones were added to finally have a nice composition. I learned a lot about sewing perfect points.”

All the fabrics used are Australian and the pattern itself is by Annamarie Campbell (Eberius Design, Australia). Kalynda Grant quilted the piece on her long arm machine in Colorado.

Evans started making baby quilts in her teens and early 20s (while friends were having babies). Her grandmother, an experienced quilter, taught her to sew her own clothes and inspired her to continue to learn quilting.

“I’ve been seriously quilting for about 15 years,” Evans said. Work prevented her from doing much before that, “but I did make nine baby quilts for my grandchildren while I was working. I noticed that each one was better than the last. I learned a lot along the way.”

Evans has been an active and supportive member of Palo Verde Patchers quilt club. She won a second-place ribbon for the “Great Southern Land” in the small quilt category in the 2024 Palo Verde Quilt Show in Sun City West, and it will take a proud place on her home hallway.

Visit patchers.scwclubs.com for more information about the club, which is open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 8 aa.m.-noon Friday, at the Kuentz Recreation Center. Visitors are welcome.