ANITQUE QUILTS HOLD PIECES OF HISTORY

Quilts dating back to 1800 and featuring both traditional and modern designs will be displayed at Gallery 100 this month.

An opening reception is scheduled for Sunday from 2-4 p.m. at the gallery. The show will be on display through January.

The quilts were made by members of the River Heritage Quilters Guild.

"The Council on the Arts asked us if we would like to do a show and we jumped at the chance," said Nelda Steffen, special projects chairperson for the guild.

"Quilting is an art form that has been around for a long time," she said.

The show includes a selection of new, original and traditional quilt patterns with names like "A '90s Bow Tie," "Grandmother's Flower Garden," "Crazy Quilt," "Kaleidoscope," "Log Cabin," and "Rambling Rambo Star."

The show will give those who attend a look at how quilts made years ago compare to quilts made today.

Original designs include one designed by a Vietnam veteran; another was designed by the quilter's second-grade daughter.

On display is a "Charm Quilt," which includes 275 different fabrics.

One of the quilted wallhangings incorporates a hand-painted design of the Southeast Missourian building tiles.

Steffen said visitors to the gallery may be interested in knowing that the old quilts have not faded.

"Some show some wear, but the colors don't fade," she said. The quilts are made with 100 percent cotton, and cotton is a durable fabric."

In addition to quilts, quilted wallhanging, table-runners, doll quilts and pillows will be displayed.

"People don't have to start with a big project," she said. "You can start small.

"The show also offers an opportunity to let people in the area know there is a quilt guild here," Steffen said.

The River Heritage Quilters' Guild was formed in 1988. It has more than 60 members.

The guild meets on the second Monday of each month in Cape Central High School cafeteria at 7 p.m.

The guild meets monthly and sponsors programs like slide presentations on the history of quilts and hands-on programs on stenciling and tie-dying fabric.

The club also undertakes one community service project each year. Last year the group made quilts for Cape County Sheriff's Department patrol cars. This year, members are making lap quilts and wheelchair carriers for residents of the Veterans' Home.

The guild has also embarked on a three-year fund-raising project to make a quilt.

"We are piecing the squares this year and will sew the quilt the second year and quilt it the third year. Then we will take donations toward the quilt," Steffen said.

Squares for this quilt also will be displayed.

Steffen said quilting has been an art form for a long time, but recently has seen a revival.

"I think people began to realize it was almost an extinct art," she said. "A lot of churches do quilting and some individuals do quilting, but people realized a lot of these people are getting older; if the younger people don't get involved, it will be lost."

The guild was formed to help promote quilting among people of all ages, she said.

Four of the quilts on display are offered for sale. At the show a few quilt patterns will be sold.

Gallery 100 is open weekdays from 1-4 p.m.

The show will be open two weekends during the month Jan. 12-13 from 1-4 p.m. and Jan. 19-20 from 1-4 p.m.

Gallery 100 is sponsored by the Southeast Missouri Council on the Arts.