Not greedy, just materialistic

Glenn County's largest public sewing circle is a patchwork of skilled quilters, dedicated hobbyists and fun-loving friends that is looking for a little outside competition.

"I know there are lots of smaller groups that meet in private homes and we hope they'll participate in our upcoming quilt show," said Mary McCune of Willows.

McCune is the quilting teacher for the Adult Education Program offered by the Glenn County Office of Education, a post she has held for the last 15 years.

Each week, the women meet to stitch patterns, discuss color theory and debate the merits of various fabrics.

For the past decade, Glenn County quilters have come together to learn and practice the art, then feature their work at the end of the year at an annual students-only quilt show.

However, diminishing show turnout and a decline in students have caused the organizers to accept entries from quilters outside the class for the very first time.

"The show is now open to anyone in the county with a recently made quilt," McCune explained. "We might expand next year and include antique quilts, but for now, it's just the newer ones."

McCune called the exhibition "a simple quilt show" and said entries would not be judged competitively - at least this year.

"We may have a public vote for the most popular, but there are no prizes or anything like that," McCune said.

The show, which is sponsored by Saint Monica's Young Ladies Institute, is scheduled for April 16 and 17 at the Parish Hall on Wood Street in Willows, but entries must be submitted by Jan. 30 to allow organizers time to properly map-out the show room, McCune said.

Members and students of the weekly sewing class said they're gearing up for this year's new, outside competition.

"It's fun, I hope we get a lot of people," said Larry Reed of Orland.

Reed said she has been quilting since for seven years after a close friend introduced her to the popular artform.

"I like the challenge and creativity of putting something together from scratch," Reed explained.

Other quilters, like Sherry Kirch of Willows, said they don't plan to enter the competition this year and attend the class more as a relaxing hobby.

"Maybe I'll do it next year," Kirch said, "but, for now I just like the social part and it's a very calming thing to focus on."

Whether your quilts are traditional or modern, for family members or competitions, the ladies say the class and show has something to offer for everyone.

"I got into quilting by accident," said Carmen Lopez of Willows. "Now I just love it. Sometimes I spend more time chatting with my friend than working, but it's all just so much fun."

For more information regarding the spring show or the class, contact McCune at 934-5371.