News Alabama’s Top Seamstresses, Quilters Recognized

Alabama’s Top Seamstresses, Quilters Recognized

Alabama’s Top Seamstresses, Quilters Recognized
September 3, 2014 |

Members of the Alabama Farmers Federation Women’s Leadership Committee (WLC) sewed, stitched and designed their way to top honors at the group’s annual contests. Winners were announced Aug. 9 at a luncheon on the final day of the Federation 42nd Commodity Producers Conference in Huntsville.

WLC members competed in two sewing divisions, three quilting divisions and a tablescape design contest where the setting represents a commodity important to the participant’s county. First-place winners in each division received $150, while second and third place were awarded $100 and $75, respectively.

“Our members always look forward to seeing the beautiful items submitted for these contests,” Federation Women’s Division Director Kim Ramsey said. “Our state boasts of many highly talented seamstresses, quilters and home designers, and this is a chance for them to show off their skills in a friendly competition.”

Carole Clements of Lee County won first place in the tablescapes contest with her equine design accented with horseshoe candle holders and cowboy boot salt and pepper shakers. Jeanette Tew of Elmore County was second with a greenhouse, nursery and sod inspired design. Bridgett Wilson of Calhoun County won third for her bee-and-honey-themed setting.

The long-running sewing and quilting contests were first created to showcase the importance of the cotton industry in Alabama. A large, green, hand-stitched quilt with sections depicting life on the farm was the talk of the conference and won first-place honors for Deloris Mount of Crenshaw County.

“This design was something I had never really tried before,” said Mount, who is a four-time winner in the hand-stitched division. Her quilt even included family pictures printed on cloth.

Ruby Nuss of St. Clair County won second in the hand-quilted division, and Janice Persell of Limestone County placed third. 

In the machine-stitched division, a design of heart-shaped chickens by Gail Oden of Etowah County won first place. Nuss also took second place in this division, and Melanie Stokley of Washington County took home third-place honors. 

Katherine Selman of Tuscaloosa County had the best quilted item with a small patchwork blanket with each square featuring a different cross design. Second place went to Doris McGuire of Limestone County, and third place went to Pat Schrand of Coffee County. 

The final contest, apron sewing, includes an adult division and a youth division for students in 7th-12th grades. 

Schrand took home first prize in the adult division with a black-and-white patterned apron, featuring a basket-weave design on the top. Tuscaloosa County’s Mary Burroughs was second, and Dale County’s Brenda Curry was third. 

Another heart and chicken combination design won first place in the winning youth division apron from Kayla Seymore of Winston County. Second place went to Rose Cain of Tuscaloosa County, and Chryssa Gurganus of Cullman County won third. 

See page 14 of this issue for information on other events held at the Commodity Producers Conference. Find more photos on the Federation’s Facebook page.

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