Linda Buchanan, Judy Taylor, Johnnie Riel and Charlene True, from left, look forward to Saturday’s exhibit opening of “Cookeville Crazy Quilters: Still Crazy About Quilts After 30 Years” at the Cookeville History Museum.
COOKEVILLE – Some call it crazy. Others say it’s a passion.
But for members of the Cookeville Crazy Quilters, quilting is a little bit of both.
“I lie in bed at night and can’t go to sleep because I’ve got a new one on my mind,” Johnnie Riel, one of the club’s charter members, said of her quilting projects. “I design my own. I never go by patterns. They drive me crazy.”
The Cookeville History Museum is also feeling fanatical about quilts – so much so that it will be opening a new exhibit, “Cookeville Crazy Quilters: Still Crazy About Quilts After 30 Years,” Saturday with a reception from 1-3 p.m. Admission is free.
The exhibit will feature more than 100 pieces, everything from quilts to handbags, created by Cookeville Crazy Quilters members. They hope to spread awareness of their club, which formed 30 years ago, as well as their passion.
“We want other people to be passionate about it,” charter member Linda Buchanan said. “If you don’t ever try it, you’ll never know. We hope someone will come in and say, ‘Maybe I could do that!’ Our goal is to get everybody quilting. It’s just so fun.”
And maybe instead of someone saying, “My grandmother used to quilt,” they could say, “My granddaughter quilts.”
Judy Taylor, another charter member, said the exhibit will feature a variety of items, including applique.
“Most anything in quilting you’ll be able to see here,” she said.
Cookeville Crazy Quilters member Charlene True talked about the joys of quilting.
“It’s a way to relax and express myself,” she said. “I also do a lot of quilting gifts.”
And it’s therapeutic.
“If you’ve had a bad day, you can pick up a needle and thread or just a pattern and start cutting something out, and you feel better,” True said.
Buchanan agreed.
“It’s my happy place,” she said.
Pam Philpot, museum exhibit specialist, encourages everyone to come and experience the exhibit.
“I’m just amazed by the work and creativity involved in each one of these quilts,” she said. “It’s phenomenal.”
An added feature of the exhibit will be free quilting demonstrations as follows:
Sept. 14
- 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. – Disappearing Nine Patch (Becky Carlson)
- 1:30-3 p.m. – Using Crayons on Quilts (Kathy Kuss)
Sept. 28
- 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. – Applique (Linda Wolanin)
- 1:30-3 p.m. – English Paper Piecing (Judy Vandiver)
Oct. 5
- 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. – Wool with Wool Applique (Connie McCauley)
- 1:30-3 p.m. – Collage (Joanne Stanfield)
Oct. 12
- 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. – Hand Piecing (Linda Buchanan)
- 1:30-3 p.m. – Paper Piecing (Cheryl Boney)
Oct. 19
- 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. – Hand Quilting (Judy Taylor)
- 1:30-3 p.m. – Yo-yos (Judy Taylor)
Oct. 26
- 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. – Big Stitch Quilting (Linda Wolanin)
- 1:30-3 p.m. – Applique (Linda Buchanan)
“Cookeville Crazy Quilters: Still Crazy About Quilts After 30 Years” continues through Oct. 26 at 40 E. Broad St. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, call 520-5455.