Quilters invited to annual 'cutting day' festivities in Union

The Heritage Quilters annual "Quilt Cutting Day" for the 2016 raffle quilt begins at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14. If you are a quilter, bring your favorite scissors, pencil, ruler, chalk to mark dark fabrics, needle, and white thread. And, of course, bring your favorite dish to pass. The potluck, which will begin between 11:30 a.m. and noon on the cutting day, is a highlight of the Heritage Quilters' social year.

Group President Jan Knight will divulge most of the details on the new design that day at the museum but she did say the pattern, an adaptation of Jacob's ladder, will feature 1930s' fabrics and colors.

"It's an old block that goes back to the turn of the century or earlier," Knight said. "There will be blue, green and rose colors, as well as some yellow."

Two styles of blocks are needed - 36 of each. But Knight assured would-be volunteers that the simple design will make for quick work … even by the most inexperienced quilter.

"That fact that there are two (kinds of blocks) shouldn't scare anybody," Knight said. "We're open to having new people come. They will have a month to do their block."

Jacob's ladder features blocks sewn together side by side, creating diagonal pathways. It is one of the few common patters the Heritage Quilters haven't done in its 35-plus years. The group also plans a new twist - an applique center medallion - which Knight hopes to show off that day.

After sufficient time to assemble the blocks into a quilt top, the group will gather at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 18, to baste and share another, more modest lunch together. The Heritage Quilters meet at 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays at the museum, 6422 Main St. in Union. For information call (815) 923-2267 or visit gothistory.org.