Payson quilt show opens

PAYSON — Bliss King runs her hand over a decades-old quilt made by her husband's great-grandmother who used her husband's neckties and scraps of satin in the pattern, a pattern she then embroidered.

"I was lucky enough to get it," she said. "We call it a 'crazy quilt.' "

The quilt is normally on King's rocking chair, but through July 4th it is on display in the annual quilt show sponsored by the Peteetneet Arts Council.

"This is priceless. I worry about bringing it up here and leaving it," she said.

Her quilt is in the new heirloom quilt category. The other categories are baby quilts, machine-made quilts, hand-made quilts, wall hangings, pillows and afghans.

"People who don't make quilts don't realize what goes into them," she said.

Quilt makers usually gather in homes to share the work. Their children often play under the stretched quilt frames.

"The warm and fuzzy memories of childhood and any age are the soft, warm quilts and afghans that were stitched with such great love and care by family members and special friends," said quilt committee member Donna Brian.

Another quilt that King made for a grandson uses images of the outdoors: fishing, wildlife, trees and a cabin in dark, subdued colors.

A quilt created by the Payson 8th Ward Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, depicts the life of LDS Church founder Joseph Smith. It was made to commemorate the LDS leader's 200th birthday and the Payson West Stake's 150th anniversary.

A pillow made out of an old Payson Pipe Band uniform is also on display. Christa Bristow Petrucka made it as a "memory pillow" for her sister, who played in the band. The pillow includes a belt and brass buttons that were part of the dark, tartan wool uniform.

"We usually have 100 quilts, afghans and pillows," Brian said.

"It's not a professional juried show, but it's fun to see what the community brings," committee chairwoman Konda Luckau said.

However, the show offers a People's Choice Award in each of the categories and a Best-of-Show Award.

Free quilt-making demonstrations are scheduled for Saturday, June 24:

• 10 a.m. — Binding methods by Creekside Needlearts, a Payson sewing shop.

• 11 a.m. — Creating squares in a square by Cherry Tree Cottage, a Spanish Fork shop.

• Noon — Fabric bags by Moose on the Porch Quilts, a Payson business.

• 1 p.m. — Free block patterns by Bliss King.

Ongoing events include quilt tieing — the quilts go to the neonatel unit at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center — and a children's coloring contest.

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If you go . . .

What: Peteetneet Academy Quilt Show

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekdays, Mondays and Wednesdays until 8 p.m. through July 4

Where: 10 N. 600 East, Payson

Cost: Free

Phone: www.peteetneetacademy.org

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E-mail: rodger@desnews.com