Civil War Quilt Contest Invites Quilters to Quilt

Kirby Lecy, project co-ordinator, North Quabbin Woods

Civil War Quilt Contest Invites Quilters to Quilt

It is said that Civil War stories are often told through quilt patterns. Individual quilters and quilting groups are invited to participate in celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War by submitting quilts up to 60 inches by 60 inches as part of the Quabbin Civil War Day of Remembrance which will be celebrated on July 4th in Orange Massachusetts.  The contest is open to quilters throughout the region, state and nation.  However, all quilts must be picked up following judging and display, or other arrangements must be made.

Nancy Blackmer (left) and Ingrid Whitten of Ames Trophy

According to Kirby Lecy, project coordinator of North Quabbin Woods, and Nancy Blackmer, co-chairs of the contest, the quilts will be judged in two broad categories: hand made and machine made quilts.  Additional categories will include individual quilters and those made by groups.  All patterns must be representations from the Civil War era.

The contest is sponsored by the Drama Circle, the performing arts division of the non-profit Art for Life, which is also sponsoring “Lincoln: The Musical” on the weekends following the July 4th Civil War commemoration.  Quilts will be on display during the celebration, and a variety of awards will be presented at that time with trophies and plaques donated by Ames Trophy and Screen Printing in Orange.  

The 2012 Civil War Quilt Contest Rules include:

1.   *  Quilts may be made by either an individual or by a group of quilters. Manufactured quilts will not be accepted.

2.    *  Quilts must use patterns and blocks that are representations from the civil war era. Examples of these can be found online at http://civilwarquilts.blogspot.com/

3.    *  Quilts size - must be a minimum of 18” x 18” and a maximum size of 60” x 60”.

4.    *  All quilt fabrics must not be more than 50% synthetic fiber, including backing. Pre-Printed Quilt cloth [cheater cloth] may not be used.

5.   *  Quilts may be MACHINE or HAND sewn. Quilting is defined as a running stitch that passes through top, batting, and backing. Tied quilts are not eligible for the contest. Machine and Hand quilts will be judged in two separate categories.

6.   *   All entries must have a sleeve or tabs attached to the top of the quilt for easy display. Any quilt received without these will be automatically disqualified.

7.    *  A label must be sewn on the back of the quilt. The label must include the name of the quilt and the quilt owner’s name.

8.    *  All Quilts submitted must be enclosed in a sturdy, large, clear appropriately sized blanket bag with a working zipper.

9.    *  All Quilts must be submitted by June 22 to North Quabbin Woods, 1 East Main Street Orange, MA for submission in the display.  (For further information Telephone (978) 544-3223, Email:www.northquabbinwoods.org)

Genevieve Fraser

Other activities planned for July 4th include a "Living Heritage Farmers and Artisan Market," a Black Powder Shoot, a Civil War Muster and Cook-out, children's games and a Civil War family costume contest, along with a Day of Remembrance at the Orange Town Hall with readings from Civil War era diaries and letters from cities and towns throughout the region.  

Organizations, businesses or individuals wishing to help sponsor the play or other 150th Anniversary Civil War commemorative activities should make tax deductible donations to "CF Pals - Drama Circle," 1 South Main Street, Orange,MA o1364.  In-kind donations are also gratefully accepted. “Lincoln: The Musical” is funded in part by a grant from the Massachusetts  Cultural Council.

The next Quabbin Civil War Day of Remembrance steering committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 28 at 6:30 pm at the Prescott Church Museum at the Swift River Valley Historical Society in North New Salem, Massachusetts.  All are welcome to attend and refreshments will be served.  For further information, contact Genevieve Fraser, the Civil War activities coordinator and artistic director of the Drama Circle at Telephone (978) 544-1872, Email: FraserGenevieve@gmail.com, or visit http://quabbincivilwar.blogspot.com/