The Becker Community Center was filled with colorful works of art last Saturday during the Becker Hearts & Hands Quilt Guild’s 2019 Quilt Show, “Hearts and Hands Around a Square.”

 

The goal of the show sponsors was to showcase the art of quilting from local quilters within all levels of experience and difficulty, from beginner to expert. Each of the 114 quilts on display was made by a member of the Guild using a wide range of styles, methods and techniques, including traditional quilts, art quilts and quilts using embroidery, cross stitch and crystals. 

 

The quilts were created from both existing patterns and quilters’ own original designs and ranged from baby to king size. Runners, placemats, pillows and wall hangings were also represented, including an incredible landscape design by Marilyn Bujalski that was over 10’ long.

 

A special display in the show was the Kids’ Korner, which featured quilts made by children and grandchildren of Guild members; the youngest of which was only three years old. Several generations of quilters were on hand, including Elizabeth Steckelberg, her daughter Florence Fineman, and granddaughters Oliva (11), Aubrie (10), and Madilyn (8) Steckelberg.

 

Thirteen-year-old Zarek Khan’s quilt was patterned with colorful penguins and only took him three days to complete. A quilter since he was eight, Khan was at the show with his grandmother, Guild member Fawn Wright.

 

“I learned what happens when you make a mistake,” said Khan of his quilt. “And I learned that it’s all fixable.”

 

Attendees were able to vote on the quilts that most caught their eye. First place went to Melissa Binnell for her “Flower Sampler,” second place was awarded to Fawn Wright for “Minnesota Winter on the Farm,” third to “Fan Faire” by Melissa Binnell, and Marie Zaczkowski was awarded Best in Show. Guild member Melissa Binnell also received the Mayor’s Award for “Fan Faire” as well as the Guild challenge award for “Frame it.”

 

The Guild’s quilt challenge was also on display at the show, in which each member was asked to create a square quilt no larger than 25”x25” that used a piece of fabric that coordinated with a color used in the raffle quilt.

 

Along with creating quilts on their own, Guild members also work on quilts together at the Clear Lake City Hall that they give to members of the community. Each year they donate quilts to the Becker graduating class, Eagles Healing Nest, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, Wounded Warriors, Hospice House, Home of the Brave, the Becker and Clear Lake Fire Depts, National disasters and local community members who have had fires, accidents or illnesses.

 

Money raised from the quilt show, including that raised from the grand prize raffle quilt made by Marilyn Bujalski, is used to purchase materials for the donated quilts. The raffle also included products donated by the show’s vendors, Just Sew Studio, Colorz Quilt Shop, Wayne’s Workshop, LLC and Dan Quimby Fine Woods.

 

Although it was the organization’s third annual quilt show, it was the first hosted on their own; in previous years the show was held in conjunction with the Monticello Guild.

 

The Becker Hearts & Hands Quilt Guild meets at the Becker Baptist Church on the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Anyone interested in quilting is invited to come and learn about the organization. For questions or more information contact Elizabeth Steckelberg at eliza@midco.net.