Then &Now

Published 11:59 pm Friday, October 30, 2009

Covington County Quilter’s Guild president Jane Barber and the rest of the guild members hope visitors to Opp Fest this weekend will also take the short walk down to College Street, to view the “Then and Now” Quilt Show.

The show will be held Saturday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. at La Masionette, located near the Opp First United Methodist Church.

The guild’s quilts have taken over the old house, which is possibly the oldest house in Opp and was owned by druggist J.C. Whaley, who built it in 1901. More than 50 quilts, in a variety of colors and sizes, cover the walls and furniture.

“Quilting is an old art,” said Jane Walker, chairman of the “Then and Now” Quilt Show. “So, naturally, this beautiful old house is an ideal setting for our show.”

Admission is $2, and the guild is also selling $1 raffle chances for a “Christmas Dresden Plate” quilt; the winner will be drawn at the guild’s Dec. 8 meeting. There will be refreshments available at the show, and a “boutique” where various quilting materials and supplies will be sold.

All proceeds from the show and the drawing will go toward helping the guild’s other community projects during the year. In recent years, the guild has made quilts that are provided to law enforcement cars to be given to children who need them, as well as pillowcases for children at the Opportunity House to put their belongings in. The guild has also made quilts for cancer patients and cystic fibrosis patients, and recently presented a quilt to the Hanlan family as they moved into their Habitat for Humanity-build house.

“It’s a wonderful challenge,” Barber said when asked what she most liked about quilting. “There’s a lot of choices that are fun to make — what size it will be, what color you’ll use, what fabric you’ll use. Also, it’s a great social thing. The guild members have developed great friendships and learn from each other.”

Both Barber and Walker said they devote “several hours” a week to their favorite hobby.

“You can always find time to do something you enjoy,” Walker said.

The Covington County Quilter’s Guild is open to all quilters, regardless of experience. Dues are $20 per year.

The guild meets at 6 p.m. every second and fourth Tuesday of the month, at the PowerSouth boardroom on U.S. Hwy. 29 North. For more information, call the Three Notch Quilt Shop at 334-427-8458, or e-mail baker72@andycable.com.