Mrs. Becky Richardson loves to quilt, and is a member of Lone Star Heritage Quilt Guild of Hopkins County. She had just returned from a trip to Indiana to visit her sister Brenda, also a quilter, when she shared her exciting hobby with us for KSST News.
“This is a Table Topper I just made from 4 leftover quilt blocks from making a quilt. Some months back, we had a speaker come to a Guild Meeting and she encouraged us to use our “orphan blocks” to create new projects. She showed us many ways we can use them. I have been quilting seriously for over 10 years and I had a large bin of them, in all colors, sizes, and patterns. In one evening I made 6 items out of blocks that had been laying around for years. It felt so good to give them a new life and make them useful and on display to be enjoyed!”
“One year ago I bought a mid arm machine which I’m using to quilt my quilt tops. At that time I had 24 quilt tops and my goal was to get them quilted into completed quilts which I would then gift to family members and friends. Well, here it is a year later and I have quilted at least 12 of my quilts but I haven’t stopped making new ones…..so guess what! I now have around 28 quilt tops needing quilted! And I am also quilting for the public, which helps to pay for my addiction. I really am a quilting addict!”
“The “Spring Twist’ table topper pattern was a Jenny Doan pattern. When my sister used to live here, we first saw Jenny speak and entertain at a show in Waco. The company Jenny owns is called Missouri Star Quilting Company and the entire town of Hamilton, Missouri is just about taken up with that one large industry! Jenny is talented and delightful and has a show called “Jenny on the Road” A lot of quilters get their inspiration from her, including us! My sister and I grew up sewing, at first on doll clothes with a needle and thread. My first pieced quilt was in a simple Fencerail pattern, and I made the blocks and set them together into a top, all stitched by hand. So I have always quilted. I retired in 2016 and I had people ask me if I had a retirement plan. I would tell them “yes, I plan to quilt!” And that is exactly what I have done, and have enjoyed every minute of it. I have a whole group of wonderful quilting friends who all have the same passion. We get together for a few hours to sew at what we call a “Sit N’ Sew” , we also go to Quilting Retreats which last 4 or 5 days! They are so much fun. We sew, share ideas and patterns and encourage and teach each other. I now attend 6 of these a year! And I love them!”
“Our group also makes and quilts Charity Quilts which are donated through the Lone Star Heritage Quilt Guild in Sulphur Springs. These quilts go to many different organizations that serve the public, so they have a wide spread impact on the Sulphur Springs area. According to Becky, members have been privileged to share their talents with the community in the form of quilts and donations of money, ever since the guild’s inception more than 20 years ago. All the members are caring and generous individuals with a desire to “give back” for local needs. Some of the organizations which have received donated quilted items include CASA, the Child Advocacy Center, Shadow Ranch, the SS Fire Department and Police Department, as well as moms of new babies at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital”
“If you have have any interest in quilting, plan to attend a Guild Meeting (when we get to resume meetings!). You will not be disappointed. It’s appropriate for any level quilter, and you will meet so many wonderful, caring people. I promise, it will enrich your life! Here’s the email address so you can get in touch with Guild President Denise Givney for more information on the club, that’s [email protected]. Or check out the Lone Star Heritage Quilt Guild Facebook page! Unfortunately, our 21st annual show set for September 2020 has been cancelled due to COVID-19. But we will still hold the annual Quilt Raffle. Tickets will soon be available!”
