Exploring friendship through quilts

Submitted by McHenry County Historical Society

McHenry collector of antique quilts Holly Scott will be featured Wednesday, June 22, at the McHenry County Historical Society Museum, 6422 Main St., Union, for a program featuring friendship and signature quilts. The program begins at 1:30 p.m.

A member of the Country Quilters since 1991 and also a member of the American Quilt Study Group which is a research organization, Scott repairs quilts in addition to collecting 19th century quilts. In her presentation June 22 she’ll feature quilts from the museum as well as those from her own collection.

Friendship quilts resulted when groups, primarily women’s groups, worked together to make a quilt which was then given to someone for a special occasion. Signature quilts on the other hand were filled with participants names who then paid a fee to be listed and incorporated into the design. Fundraising was the ultimate goal. The historical society and Holly have both types of quilts. One of the funniest friendship quilts ever presented to Holly was the one titled “Crows Feet” in honor of her 60th birthday.

Holly’s quilt program is one of many special events that will take place all across northern Illinois to promote the three-month Northern Illinois Quilt Fest. The official quilt related events are arranged for July, August, and September. For a complete schedule of activities, visit NorthernIllinoisQuiltFest.com. The McHenry County Historical Society is considered an anchor site in McHenry County and will have a three-month quilt show during that period.

Quilt patterns are not limited to fabric. Residents and travelers to the county may download a map showing quilted barns and quilted garden sites from the Society website mchsonline.org.

For more information regarding the Holly Scott program and/or the historical society, call (815) 923-2267 or check the website. There is an admission fee for non-society members wishing to attend the June 22 program. Those using Illinois Route 176 to access Union need to detour onto P&O Road or Dunham Road. The bridge on North Union Road is being replaced.