Quilting is not only a craft, but also an art form, that goes back for centuries, and yet is still thriving in today’s culture, as evidenced by the Mississippi Quilt Association (MQA) Spring Gathering, held February 8-9 at Lake Tiak O’Khata.
The MQA is a statewide organization that promotes the art of quilting and allows members to gather with like-minded individuals who share their love of quilting. The organization currently has just under 400 members statewide, and about 130 registered for the Spring Gathering.
Hutchins said, “Quilters are some of the best people on earth. They enjoy their craft and they love giving them away to others. And we like to think that’s a hug that someone gets when they use that quilt.”
Hutchins continued that quilting has made quite a resurgence since the Bicentennial and there are now quilt shows all around the country. She added that there are award-winning quilters throughout the MQA.
Hutchins stated that there had been a concern that will many quilters aging it might negatively affect the community, but there are younger women coming behind, and one of the purposes of the organization is to introduce the craft to younger people, and to keep it going. She added that the craft has changed in that quilts are still made for warmth, but some are strictly works of art.
Speaking of the appeal of quilting, Scrapper Quilt Guild President, Diane Henson Rhyne, stated that it is about heritage. She said, “It’s a growing up kind of thing. You grew up with quilts, and it’s an art form.” She added that the creativity that goes into quilting is her favorite part of the craft. Scrappers Quilt Guild is located in Ackerman and has members from all of the surrounding counties.
A more recent innovation in the quilting world is barn quilting where large, hand-painted wooden blocks, typically eight-feet square, are placed on the front of barns. According to Rita Williams there are barn quilt trails in all 50 states, with the Buttahatchee Barn Quilt Trail located in Mississippi. More information can be found at: www.thebuttahatcheebqt.com.
The membership fee for MQA is $20/year. More information is available at: www.mississippiquilt.org.
