By Kathy Oswalt-Forsythe
Members of Quilt-n-Friends, a local group, recently donated a quilt to the Vicksburg District Library. The piece now hangs above the library’s fireplace.
The idea originated with Gail Reisterer, a Vicksburg District Library trustee and a member of the Ladies Library Auxiliary, who noticed how bare the wall looked above the fireplace. She asked Director Eric Hansen for approval to contact the quilting group to see if there was interest in making a quilt for the space. Hansen provided contact information for Dawn Garrett, current president of Quilt-n-Friends.
“Dawn was very responsive,” says Reisterer, “and this piece exceeded my expectations!”
Garrett says the “Library Quilt,” as the group calls it, was designed, featuring the Vicksburg District Library represented by a library block at the center of the quilt, emphasizing the library “as the center of the community.” It is surrounded by “house blocks” which represent the Village of Vicksburg. The outer border includes various “book blocks” which Garrett explains represents a “sampler,” known commonly in the quilting world.
“Members of our group selected either a book block or a house block to make, using their own fabrics,” Garrett said. “Some members donated the materials needed for the quilt—batting, fabrics for binding, sashing and backing. There was also input during class on color selections and for the construction of the quilt.”
The quilt was installed above the fireplace by Hansen, Dawn Garrett, and her husband Chris Garrett. The Vicksburg Ladies Library provided a reception, prepared by Ladies Library member Mary Ann Kudary, complete with table decorations and refreshments to honor the members of Quilt-n-Friends. “These quilters deserve recognition for their exceptional work,” says Reisterer.
“It was a great collaboration for our group. We thoroughly enjoyed working on it together and enjoyed watching it evolve into the finished product,” said Garrett. “We are glad to give back to the library in some way. Our group has been meeting at the library since 1990.”
Quilt-n-Friends meets in the meeting room of the Vicksburg District Library on the 4th Monday of every month from 7-8 p.m. The group meets to socialize and share ideas with anyone interested in quilting. The group also meets on the Saturday following the Monday meeting to sit and sew together. Attendees bring a current project to work on. The group is accepting new members at this time.
Vicksburg’s Ladies Library normally meets at noon the first Friday of the month in the library meeting room. The group offers programs, projects and the proper serving of tea and refreshments. Guests are welcome and new members are enthusiastically invited.