Karen Kirkland
2016 Best of Show: "My Little Corner of the World" by Karen Kirkland
The annual Swamp Fox Quilters’ Guild exhibit is now open at the Hartsville Museum! Each year a theme is selected by the guild and members develop a creation reflecting that focus. This year, challenge co-chairs Martha Herbert and Joan Goodsell selected the title “It’s a Small World.” Unlike years past, a size limit was established for the quilts. Each piece was required to fall within the dimensions of greater than 60” yet less than 120”. This is quite a change since both the quilters and the guests are accustomed to pieces in a variety of sizes. It is always a nice surprise to explore the many interpretations that the quilters conceive as they create each “one of a kind” masterpiece.
The guild met at the museum on Thursday to get the first sneak peek at the entries and to vote for this year’s awards. Winner for “Best of Show” quilt was Karen Kirkland for her piece titled “My Little Corner of the World.” It is a beach scene utilizing the colors blue, sand, and coral. Measuring 24”x36”, the quilt depicts an empty wooden chair under an umbrella planted beside a palm tree on the shoreline. Various shades of blue show the multi colors of the ocean while a white sailboat glides in front of a rising sun. The quilted wallhanging is truly a masterpiece as it was also awarded 1st place blue ribbons for Best Theme, Best Applique, and Best Pieced. A 2nd place ribbon was received for the category of Best Machine Quilting.
Organized in 1980, the Swamp Fox Quilters’ Guild is composed of members from Hartsville, Florence, Dillon, Mullins, Conway, Marion, Lake City, Timmonsville, McBee, Garden City and Darlington. The guild sponsors a monthly meeting as well as a monthly “work day” where members gather to work on their own projects, have a class, or make community quilts. One of the highlights of the year includes educating visitors about quilting at the “Re-enactment of the Skirmish at Gamble’s Hotel” in Florence County. For more information about the group, see www.swampfoxquilters.com.
