2004 Year in Review

Design a Sesquicentennial Quilt Block

The Morrison Sesquicentennial celebration begins September 2004 and continues through July 2005. In honor of this event, the 2004 Whiteside County Fair will offer a quilt block class under the heritage textile arts category. “Open Class” premiums will be $12, $10, and $8 for placing first, second, and third, respectively.

Sesquicentennial celebrations will focus on the past 50 years, from 1955 to 2005. It is not too early to begin the design process of an original piece of textile art to commemorate our community's 150th. anniversary.

For example, use photographs or names of important citizens or families; distinctive homes, buildings, or structures; railroad, school, business, or agricultural themes; the Sesquicentennial logo and slogan. Entrants must choose 100% cotton, cream or tone-on-tone cream background fabric. Create a design on a 12 ½ inch square, to be finished later as 12 inch square block (allow for a 1/4 inch border in your design.) All blocks will become the property of the Morrison Sesquicentennial committee and will not be returned.

Quilters may use any method of design and embellishment: hand, or machine, piecing or embroidery; photo transfers; appliqué; ribbon weaving.

Blocks must be delivered to the Whiteside County Fair by 4:00 P.M., Monday, August 16, 2004 for judging. Entrants must purchase an “exhibitor’s pass” for $12, which entitles them to repeat admissions to the Fair each day. Use the entry blank that accompanies this article.

The Morrison Sesquicentennial committee appreciates this offer by the Fair Board and looks forward to creative representations of the past 50 years. Contact Whiteside County Fair Superintendent Pat Pell, at (815) 772-4501, with questions. Happy designing!

by Stephanie A. Vavra, Guest Columnist
April 21, 2004