Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative, 2328 Sandifer Blvd.
Quilts Flower Pot, Caesar's Crown, Cactus Blossom.Three quilts mounted at Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative are from the family of Carolyn and John Harris of Fair Play. The three patterns include a Flower Pot or Flower Basket, Caesar’s Crown, and Cactus Blossom.#84 Flower Pot or Flower Basket quilt was Carolyn Harris’s first quilt project and she obviously carefully cut and arranged the printed fabric so the “flower” diamonds create a secondary design.#85 Caesar’s Crown has been a popular pieced pattern in South Carolina since the 1840’s. This one was found in a closet in the home of John Harris’s grandmother, Eula (and Mark) Harris, and looks to be mid‐19th century from the way the reds and greens have faded.#86 Cactus Blossom The original quilter of the is unknown, but it is an early twentieth century, rounded‐off interpretation of the more angular pieced tulip pattern. Carolyn has many fond childhood memories of weekends at her grandparents’ home and this quilt.From its very beginning in 1940, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative has taken electric service into geographic areas where it had never been available before. Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative provides service and community support in Anderson, Oconee and Pickens counties.These quilt blocks were sponsored by the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail in appreciation for the encouragement and support provided by Blue Electric Cooperative as we began developing this project in 2009.
Retreat Rosenwald School, 150 Pleasant Hill
#93 School HouseQuilters: Nelda Barkmann and Karla GlovaSponsor: Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail“My mother, Nelda Barkmann, passed away in 2000 from lung cancer and I inherited the unfinished quilt top, and finished it by machine. My mother would come to my house for the weekend loaded with fabric and a pattern for the two of us to work on. I am not sure when the School House quilt was made but probably around the early 1900’s.”The Retreat Rosenwald School was one of over 5,300 schools, shops and teachers’ homes built in the United States for the education of African‐Americans in the early 20th century. The school opened in 1924 and served the Westminster community until 1950. Not only did it provide an education for black citizens, but it also served as an important social center for rural blacks. It was one of 10 such schools in Oconee County. As required by Mr. Rosenwald, the school is T‐shaped with entrances on each side of the main wing. Each has a porch opening into a classroom, typical of a two‐teacher community school. The school is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Spirt of America, 701 East Main Street
Spirt of AmericaDesigned and painted by Melody Davis
Sandifer Funeral Home, 512 East Main Street
#174 Lone StarQuilter: Mary Elizabeth (Libby) LongSponsor: Sandifer Funeral HomeKimberly Wulfert, PhD., Quilt Historian (http://www.womenfolk.com/), has stated that “The Lone Star quilt block is likely one of the most recognizable quilt patterns to Americans. It is also one of the oldest patterns, along with the Mariner’s Compass, Orange Peel, Job’s Trouble, and Irish chain. But this is a pattern known by many names. There are variations of it with 6 points, 8 points (the most common design) or even more."Mary Elizabeth (Libby) Long of Westminster made this Lone Star quilt for Mr. Cecil T. Sandifer. As a child, she helped her mother make quilts, a necessity in those days Her philosophy about quilting is that it is a "craft that needs to be taught to the younger generations."The history of this quilt relates to the history of Cecil T. Sandifer, founder and owner of the Funeral Home. Mr. Sandifer has worn a tie since his years as a teenager, as evidenced by old family photographs. He began wearing ties when he was named the bus driver at Connie Maxwell Orphanage where he and his wife, Frances, were raised. They moved to Westminster in 1952 and established the Sandifer Funeral Home. He has continued to wear a tie for the 90 plus years of his life.The current location of the Funeral Home bears a plaque that reads, The original structure of this building dates back to circa 1879 Cecil and Frances B. Sandifer purchased this home in the year 1954..
Mural, 400 E. Main Street
Morning GloryBy Melody DavisAdapted from on “Jimson Weed” by Georgia O’Keefe. It features large pinwheel-shaped blossoms of jimson weed.
Gateway Arts Council, 213 E. Windsor Street, Quilt & Murals
#213 Mai'a Iho Lena – Our Beautiful Land Quilter: Bonnie OuelletteSponsor: Gateway Arts CenterThe quilt block Mai’aIho Lena – Our Beautiful Land is inspired by the traditional quilts of Hawaii and is based on a quilt made by well-known local fiber artist Bonnie Ouellette. This site also displays two murals Mona Lisa and Starey Nights painted by owner Melody Davis.Bonnie’s first trip to Hawaii inspired her fascination with the special art of Hawaiian quilting. She has since traveled to Hawaii more than thirty times and has great respect for the artistry and skill of native quilters. Traditional Hawaiian quilts are generally characterized by their symmetrical designs which reflect the unique natural elements of the islands. Bonnie’s quilt is completely hand-sewn and hand-quilted and incorporates Bonnie’s own hand-dyed fabrics..Melody and Alan Davis, owners of Gateway Arts Center are active promoters of the arts in Oconee County and the Upstate. Additional information on shows, activities and classes visit their website or call 864-613-2211.Mona LisaBy Melody DavisAdapted from “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo Da Vinci which was likely completed in 1506. It features a portrait of a seated woman set against an imaginary landscape.Starry NightBy Melody DavisAdapted from on “Starry Night” by Vincent Van Gogh. It features a night sky roiling with chromatic blue swirls, a glowing yellow crescent moon, whirling clouds and shining stars.
Mural, 213 East Windsor Street,
Three MusiciansBy Melody DavisAdapted from “Three Musicians” by Pablo Picasso. It depicts three brightly colored figures seated around a table and set in a dark, box-like room in the style of Synthetic Cubism and gives the appearance of cut paper.
Unto These Hills, E. Windsor & Lucky Streets
'Unto These Hills'By Meldoy Davis
Westminster Baptist Church,212 East Windsor
#201 The CrossDesigned by Janet Houts.Quilters: Rebecca DeFoor, Denise McCormick, Paige Price, Deanna DeFoorSponsors: Members of the Westminster Baptist Church.Quillters from the Westminster Baptist Church joined efforts and worked to piece and quilt a wall hanging, measuring 30 inches by 42 inches, as a gift to the members of the congregation. It was first displayed in the church on Easter Sunday, 2015. Several members of the church helped to paint the quilt block and it was presented to the the congregation on Easter Sunday 2017.Westminster Baptist Church has been in the heart of town for more than 130 years. In the 1870’s, the town of Westminster, named after the original church, located in a log building situated on the site of the Westminster First Baptist Church, grew up along the railroad and soon developed into a bustling business area. As the population shifted more toward the commercial area, some members of the church decided to build a church nearer the center of town. In 1884, they established a church ‘in the heart of town’. Now, more than 130 years later, the motto “In the heart of town, with a heart for the people” is still a principle held by its members. For more information about Westminster Baptist Church click here.
American Legion Post 107, 205 Lucky Street
#182 Sun Bonnet SueQuilter: Susan HaganSponsors: The Legion’s members, with support from Past Commander Robert Hudgens and Commander Woody SandersThe American Legion Post 107 members, with support from Past Commander Robert Hudgens and Commander Woody Sanders, chose the Sun Bonnet Sue pattern, quilted by Historian Zach Sharpe’s great-great grandma, Susan Hagan. This particular quilt was chosen from a cedar chest full of old family quilts handed down through Zach’s family and given to him by his mother, Karen Ruff Sharpe. The members felt that it was the most patriotic of all the choices due to its color scheme of red, white and blue.The Sun Bonnet Sue pattern is a quilting icon. It originated in the 1880s and a book of her fictional life was published in the 1920s. People fell in love with Sue’s sweet nature and her ever-present bonnet. This may have been the impetus for our Sue quilt, as Susan Hogan of Leoma, Tennessee stitched her out of old scraps from family cast-offs during the ‘20s. In the early 1900s, Sun Bonnet Sue appeared in issues of the Ladies Home Journal and Woman’s World magazine, as well as in local newspapers and pattern books. Again, during the Great Depression, Sunbonnet Sue increased in popularity, as folks yearned for happier times.
Residence, 202 Augusta Street
#98 Texas Star Quilter: Jessie Blackwell.Sponsor: Jimmy and Sandra Powell’The Powell's Texas Star was quilted by Mrs. Powell’s aunt, Jessie Blackwell. Miss Jessie never married but worked as a seamstress in the Jantzen mill in Westminster. Miss Blackwell’s quilt is machine sewn; a true rag quilt made of scraps of material she had around the house. She was an active hand quilter in her early years, but began machine quilting later.Miss Jessie died in 1994Texas Star is one of many names for this most popular and simple pattern. Variations of this pattern have been published under such names as Ohio Star, Tippecanoe and Tyler Too, Eastern Star, Four‐X Star and Star of Hope.The Powell’s house was built by the Cross family in 1909.
Residence, 200 Augusta Street
#144 Josephine's KnotQuilter & Sponsor: Claudia SpearmanDesigner: Debbie Maddy,The quilt block, called Josephine’s Knot, hangs next to the front door. Mrs. Spearman made the original cloth quilt while recuperating from gallbladder surgery. It is in honor of her father’s mother, Josephine Jones Spearman, who died when Claudia’s father, Jim Spearman, was a little boy. And it was her mother, Mildred Spearman who worked with the UHQT volunteers in painting the quilt block for the UHQT.The pattern was designed by Debbie Maddy, teacher and founder of Calico Carriage Quilt Designs,
Residence, 101 Augusta Street
#143 Crazy Tie QuiltQuilter: Mildred SpearmanSponsor: Mildred and Jim SpearmanThe 1921 Sears Roebuck craftsman style cottage is owned by Mildred and Jim Spearman. The original quilt was made by Mrs. Mildred Spearman in the late 1970’s from her husband's colorful silk neck ties. Tie styles changed in the 1970’s to a more narrow tie, so just as her grandmother, Questria Claudia Purvis Bane of Mullins, SC, had done many years before, Mildred reused the fabric to make a quilt top. Jim, a Westminster native, played as a child under his grandmother’s quilting frame. She was Sarah Judson Buchanan Jones of Westminster. This quilt block was sponsored by the Spearman's and is in honor of both their maternal grandmothers.Crazy Quilt, a style made popular following the 1876 Philadelphia Exposition Centennial. Inspired by the Japanese Pavilion’s crazed ceramics and asymmetrical art, American ladies quickly adapted the shapes into their sewing by designing quilt patterns using lavish, velvet, brocade and silk fabrics embellished with fancy embroidery stitches. Ladies' magazines made this style quite the Victorian rage, lasting until about 1910 and are still in vogue.
Westminster City Hall 100 E Windsor Street, #100 Friendship Garden
#100 Friendship GardenQuilter: Essie Jane Spencer SmithSponsor: Donna J. CampbellThe Dresden Plate pattern has many variations and was among the most popular patterns during the quilt revival of the early 20th Century. Other names include Friendship Ring, Sunflower and Aster. This variation is called “Friendship Garden” made from a 1940 pattern from a Baltimore newspaper.Essie Jane Spencer Smith was born December 30, 1889. Essie raised her children, helped with the family farm, nursed the sick of the community, and lived her religion. When she traveled around the county with husband, she carried her quilting and her Bible with her. She was an avid reader and had a lifetime membership in the National Geographic Society. When she churned butter, she churned with one hand and had a magazine in the other. She was an amateur historian and knew much of the history of Oconee County and the Old Pendleton District.The Friendship Garden quilt was pieced and quilted by Essie Jane sometime prior to August 14, 1945. The quilt was presented to her youngest son, Spencer Claude Smith, a WWII veteran, and his bride, Lelline Crout, when they married on August 14. Spencer and Lelline used the quilt through the early years of their marriage and recently passed it on to their daughter.Westminster City Hall website.
Moons Drug Store, located on the HWY 123 side of building,
#175 Thai Memories of Saffron and SilkQuilter: Jane OliverDesigner: Barbara ShapelSponsor: Jerry and Kathy SmithThe quilt, called Thai Memories of Saffron and Silk was designed by Barbara Shapel of Washougal, Washington and pieced and quilted by Jane Oliver of Hayesville, NC.Jane Oliver is a fiber artist living in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of Western North Carolina. She has enjoyed every minute of a life-long passion for fabrics, fibers, needles, and thread. Her evolution through this medium has taken many forms. The one fiber path she intended never to follow was quilting — until it grabbed her heart in the 1980’s and never let go.Barbara Shapel is an award-winning quilt artist, teacher, lecturer and author. Today she is known for creating two-sided quilts where the back is a reflection of the front and offers the viewer a different perspective of the same piece. She also works to integrate the quilting line and make it an important part of the overall design of the piece.Moons occupies several buildings on Main Street, all of them historic. The buildings that house Moon’s Home Medical and Gifts were built in the 1800’s. The middle building, which is home to Moon’s Drug Store, opened as a drug store in 1901 and has remained there ever since.
Mural, Retreat Street/Main Street,
Blue Grass RootsBy Melody DavisContains images of Ezra Davis, unknown, Bassist from Ebony Hillbillies, unknown, Raymond Fairchild, unknown, Fiddlin’ Bill Hensley, Raymond Fairchild, Bill Monroe, Clint and Vic Blackwell
Two Murals located on corner of Retreat Street/Main Street
Blue Grass RootsBy Melody DavisRetreat Street/Main StreetContains images of Ezra Davis, unknown, Bassist from Ebony Hillbillies, unknown, Raymond Fairchild, unknown, Fiddlin’ Bill Hensley, Raymond Fairchild???, Bill Monroe, Clint and Vic Blackwell.No Place Like HomeRetreat Street/Main StreetAdapted from architectural rendering by Jennie M Harrison. Representatives of each branch of service honoring ALL veterans and their loved ones. Mason Venedam-saying goodbye to his father before deployment; Lawrence Schneider, Machine Gunner, US Marines in WWII; Christian Venedam, US Navy in Operation Enduring Freedom; Olga Custodio, USAF Pilot-the first of Hispanic descent; La’Shanda R. Holmes, USCG Helicopter Pilot-the first African American Woman; Oscar Primm, US Army in WWII.
East Main Street Power Boxes Project
#243 The Garden ClubQuilter: Rebecca DeFoorSponsors: Sandy Brockington and citizens of Westminster contributed to the funding to support this project.The four 1ft. x 1ft. quilt blocks on Main Street were the inspiration of Sandy Brockington. She thought the power boxes on Main Street were unattractive and organized a group to commission the UHQT to paint quilt blocks for them. These ‘flowers’ are part of a quilt entitled, “The Garden Club” from Smith Street Designs. The quilter, Beckie DeFoor is proud to have her quilt represented.Local residents including residents Kathy Barker, Sandy Brockington, Beckie DeFoor, Denise McCormick, Kathy Smith, and Mildred Spearman who helped the artists on the quilt trail paint these beautiful quilt blocks. The citizens of Westminster contributed to the funding to support this project.
Moon's Drug Store, 132 Main Street
#233 Flowers Among FriendsQuilter: Rebecca DeFoorSponsor: Rebecca Harper DeFoor, Kathy Collins Smith and Jerry SmithA series of four small floral-themed quilt blocks—grace the front pillars of Westminster’s historic Moon’s Drug Store. Rebecca Harper DeFoor, Kathy Collins Smith and Jerry Smith sponsored these lovely blocks to commemorate their lifelong friendship of fifty years. The warm, sunny color scheme of oranges and yellow against a black background add of a touch of folk art to the facade of Moon’s Drug Store founded in 1901. The four blocks were painted by Beckie DeFoor, Kathy Smith, and Kathy and Jerry’s daughter Whitney Jones with the help of Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail’s Production Team. Visit www.moonsdrugstore.com for more information about Moon’s Drug Store.
Oconee History Center General Store Museum, 126 East Main Street
#3 Double Wedding Ring Quilters: Bessie Ross Barrett & Sarah Buchanan JonesSponsor: Westminster Historical AssociationDuring the early 1900's "Women’s tastes shifted from dark colors to a rainbow of pastel colors –watermelon pinks, mint greens, and lemon yellows. The Double Wedding Ring was a pattern that lent itself well to the pastel fabrics. A feature of many Double Wedding Ring quilts was its scalloped edge created by the circles that made up the quilt. Because of its name, this pattern is often selected for quilts associated with marriage." Source Quilt Discovery Experience, Homestead National Monument of America Beatrice, NebraskaThe quilters, Grandmother Barrett was born in 1890 in Hopewell Community of Oconee County, SC. She was the mother of Charles G. Barrett, grandmother of Charles Lee Barrett and died in 1986. Her quilt is trimmed in green. Sarah Buchanan Jones (Granny Jones) was born in 1873 in Westminster, Oconee County, SC. She was the grandmother of Johnny Jones, the great grandmother of Joyce Jones Barrett and she died in 1960. Her quilt is trimmed in pink.Preserving England’s StoreThe original general store building (2 blocks west on Main Street) was built in 1908, and England’s General Merchandise opened for business at that time. For decades, the downtown general store carried everything its customers might ever need or want including the “Flymo” hovering lawnmower, Blue Horse notebook paper, saddle shoes, and much much more! For over a 100 years the shopkeepers accumulated a collection of merchandise spanning the entire twentieth century. The last shopkeeper, William “Dub” England, ceased store operations in the early 1980s, opening his collection as a museum until his passing in 2005.In 2007 a non-profit organization, the Westminster Area Historic Preservation Society (WAHPS), purchased the building’s historic contents. WAHPS then donated the contents to the Oconee History Museum for the purpose of establishing a branch museum. In 2008, the Barrett-Jones building was donated by Lee and Joyce Barrett to Oconee History Museum and renovations began. With the ongoing help of the Westminster Area Historic Preservation Society, the General Store Museum opened in 2011.For hours of operation and additioanl infomation click Oconee History Musem.
Historic Westminster Train Depot, 135 East Main Street
#82 Railroad Crossing Quilter: Denise McCormickSponsor: Upstate Heritage Quilt TrailDenise McCormick made this Railroad Crossing wall hanging for the Westminster Chamber of Commerce and is displayed in the interior of the building. Denise is an active quilter and member of the Westminster community. This quilt block is an example of some half‐dozen patterns called Railroad Crossing.Westminster’s Depot has a long history. It was opened in 1911 with two waiting rooms and a ticket office. Double tracking was added in 1918 along with a freight area. The train depot was acquired by the city in the 1970’s after passenger service was discontinued. It has served in many capacities ‐ library, health department, civic center and now home to the Chamber of Commerce. Extensive renovation occurred in 1976 for the bicentennial. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places after being lovingly restored according to National Register guidelines in 2009. It has been home to many social, political and cultural events over the years, and is available for rent to the public for meetings, weddings, receptions, reunions, and other social events. For additional information contact City of Westminster.
Historic Depot Parking Lot , 135 East Main Street, #'s 242 A-D
Quilters for #'s 242 A, B, C, D242 A Claudia’s Star - Claudia Spearman 242 B Denise’s Design - Denise McCormick 242 C Paige’s Star - Paige Price 242 D Rebecca’s Star - Rebecca DeFoorSponsor Each quilter sponsored their quilt blockThese long-term residents are very proud of Westminster and very involved in various efforts to beautify the downtown area. They saw the utility boxes in front of the Historic Depot parking lot as ideal spot to add color and share their love of quilting with the downtown area.Complete stories are on the UHQT website.
Mural, 101 W. Main Street "Last Supper"
Last SupperBy Melody DavisAdapted from on “The Last Supper” by Leonardo Da Vinci. It depicts the Last Supper of Jesus with his apostles; the consternation occurring among the Twelve Apostles when Jesus announced that one of them would betray him.
Mural, S. Isundega Street, "Home Run"
Home Run, Home RunBy Melody DavisA tribute to State and Local history, the mural features the United States Flag imposed over the shape of the state of South Carolina. There is also a nod to the Apple Festival held in Westminster and the Oconee Mountaineers Mill Baseball Team in 1946.
Oconee Public Library Westminster Branch, 112 W. North Ave.
#4 Card TrickQuilter: Mary Dee RudySponsor: Upstate Heritage Quilt TrailThe quilter Mary Dee Rudy shared“My first qu ilting experience was through lessons taught by a neighbor. We were a group of six and completed a crib sampler quilt in six weeks, all hand pieced and quilted. I was hooked! I made my first Card Trick quilt in a queen size for my son a few years ago, in masculine colors of burgundy, gold, green and beige. I have given up hand piecing, using my machine instead, but I still love to hand quilt."Barbara Brackman’s Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns says that Card Trick was designed in the 1970s by Jeffrey Gutcheon and published in McCall’s Quilting Magazine. Beth and Jeffrey Gutcheon were quilt book authors they wrote The Perfect Patchwork Primer, and Quilt Design Workbook which is an innovative and influential book on contemporary quilting.The Oconee County Public Library was first established in May of 1948. The first library opened in October of that year in the old courthouse annex in Walhalla, SC. A bookmobile was also purchased and began operation in that same year. The Westminster branch was established in 1950.Hours are M-F, 10:00 - 6:00Phone number 864.364.5760.
Residence, 301 W. Abbey Street (located on privacy fence on side of house)
#99 Autumn StarsQuilter: Denise McCormickSponsors: Rick & Denise McCormickThe Autumn Star has been a favorite for generations. It combines nicely with other star blocks. “This quilt was made for my daughter and her husband soon after they married and moved to their first home. I chose the fabrics to complement their home and planned for it to be just something to snuggle up in on a cold day or take on a picnic. I really admire traditional quilt patterns because of the precision in the piecing. Combining the right fabrics to make a really great‐looking quilt makes me happy.Our home was built in 1905 and has wonderful high ceilings, perfect for displaying quilts! I look forward to the day when I can retire and have more time to finish all the things I have started and use that fabric stash that keeps growing. My taste has shifted to more contemporary fabrics for many projects, and I can only imagine the number of fabric collections we will have to choose from in the future.Quilts are such a great way to give a piece of yourself to someone else. We truly are blessed with such talented quilters in Oconee County. I admire them for their talent and their willingness to share their gifts with others.”
Mural. 120 West Windsor Street
Dogs Play Poker (while waiting for a bath…)By Melody DavisBased on “A Friend In Need” by Cassius Marcellus Coolidge. The famous series features humanized dogs sitting around a table playing poker. The title comes from the fact that the bulldog in the foreground is seen secretly slipping an ace to his partner, while his competitors give side-glances around the table.Commissioned by the City of Westminster in 2019 to enhance they city park and public pool facility. Media used: latex and aerosol.
Residence, Adams Street (located on out building facing street)
#31 Nine Patch & Irish ChainQuilter: Lucy Looney DeFoorSponsor: Sarah Brown DeFoor in honor of her late husband Wayne DeFoorSarah Brown DeFoor requested this quilt panel o honor the memory of her late husband, Wayne Watson DeFoor, who died in 2010. Mr. DeFoor’s mother, Lucy Looney DeFoor, made the original quilt in the late 1930’s as a gift to the young couple. Her daughter-in-law, Rebecca Harper DeFoor helped paint the quilt block along with members of the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail. The quilt combined traditional Nine Patch blocks with the diagonal progression of the Double Irish Chain pattern. The result forms a “framed center” overall design reminiscent of the fine patchwork quilts of the early 19th century.Upon Sarah DeFoor’s death her home was sold, and the new owners wished the panel to remain in place and repaired the work shop and added decorative accents to the building..
Residence, 210 Adams Street, #5 Flower Basket & #278 Broken Star
#5 Flower Basket and #278 Broken StarQuilter & Sponsor: Rebecca DeFoorBasket designs have been popular in American patchwork and quilting since the late 18th century. Becky told us, “I took a beginner class in quilting about 30 years ago. This pattern was my first attempt. I went to a quilting bee in Newry, held in the living room of one of the wonderful old homes. There was a frame hung from the ceiling about as big as the room with about 10-15 people sitting around the frame quilting. It is such a wonderful memory." ‘Beckie’ spends lots of time at her sewing machine. She is also very active in various community projects and the painting of the quilt blocks with the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail.The smokehouse where the Flower Baskett is placed on her husband s grandparents’ land. Built around 1903, by Lemuel Hobson, a well-known carpenter and contractor who often said, “if one nail is good, three nails will be better” so his buildings last a long time."#278 Broken Star is placed next door above the garage door on the DeFoor home. "The pattern description says there are bound to be bumps along the way. Among the countless miles of every path there are certain to be challenges in the terrain. So, it is with the journey of our lives. This block speaks of loss and to that end, I dedicate this block to the memory of my husband, Reg DeFoor.". At Piece with Time A Woman’s Journey Stitched in Cloth, by Kristin C. Steiner & Diane C. Frankenberger, provided the inspiration for Rebecca’s Broken Star quilt.
Residence, 418 Cornelia Avenue
#187 Color WheelQuilter: Mary Dee RudySponsor: Joe and Sharon ByersInstalled on the barn door. Joe, a carpenter and independent contractor, designed and built a beautiful wooden frame for the block, The square was painted by their two daughters, Heather and Hadassa, along with young neighborhood friends who came into the Oconee studio over the summer.The original design was created by the Arts Council of York County, www.yorkcountyarts.org, and serves as their logo. The painted panel is displayed on their arts center as part of the York County Quilt Trail in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The style and design of this quilt is a variation of the Cathedral Window quilt block.The fabric quilt was commissioned by Cindy Blair to meet the requirement of the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail that there be an actual, hand-made quilt block. It was sewn by Mary Dee Rudy of Seneca, a prolific quilter and member of the UHQT Production Team.
Residence, 200 Adams Street (located on barn facing Cornelia Ave.)
#34 Peace Y'all! Quilter: Rebecca DeFoorSponsor: Sandy and Perry Stencil’“Peace Y’all!” That’s the shout from high up on Sandy and Perry Stencil’s barn on Glad Oaks Hill in Westminster. A tie-dyed Peace Symbol with that phrase plainly written in purple and orange. Stancil doesn’t consider himself an artist, but he loves color and tie died fabrics. He even teaches kids in the schools how to do tie dying, the only quilt in the family is one of a Dutch Doll made by his grandmother. He and Sandy gave it to their daughter, Carly. When he read about the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail, though, he decided he wanted a quilt, in purple and orange, with Peace Y’all, just like a t-shirt in his collection. One of the stipulations for putting a quilt on the trail, however, is that the quilt must actually exist in fabric and thread. So his cousin, Becky DeFoor, promptly made a fabric quilt block to hang on their kitchen wall.
Ramey Home Builders, 9339 Long Creek Hwy.,
#30 Carolina Mystery PatternQuilter: Mary Walker (1844 - 1908)Sponsors: Christine File and Upstate Heritage Quilt TrailThe original quilt is displayed at the Oconee History Museum in Walhalla. Mary Walker was born in the Pickens area in 1844. She married Osmond Walker, a farmer and Civil War Veteran, in 1864. They made their home, raised five children, and had a very successful farm in the Madison area of Oconee County. She died in 1908 and is buried in the old Tugaloo Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Numerous examples of this bold, distinctive appliqué pattern survived from the late-19th century, but the name of the pattern has not yet been identified. Almost all of the known examples were made in North or South Carolina or in western states settled by Carolinians.Ramey Home Builders provides New Construction / Remodeling / Additions / Maintenance, Residential/ Commercial/ Log/ Timber Frame Construction.Phone: (864) 647-1050.
Ridge at Summit Farms, 201 Wisteria Drive
280 Grandmother’s GardenQuilter: Aggie SandiferSponsor: The Ridge at Summit FarmsGrandmother’s Garden quilt was given as a wedding present in 1984 to John and Dianne Sandifer. Aggie Sandifer of York, SC made this quilt along with many others that she gifted to family members and friends. The Sandifer family thought it would be a fitting tribute to a loving aunt to place a replica of this quilt on their event venue – The Ridge at Summit Farms, located in Westminster, SC. The Ridge at Summit Farms hosts weddings, family, and corporate events.Grandmother’s Flower Garden is a familiar name for rosettes of hexagon patchwork, but the name is much newer than the pattern itself. According to the National Parks Service Quilt Discovery Experience, this pattern “has a long history, dating back to the Colonial Period where it was known as Mosaic, Honeycomb, or French Bouquet.” The design first appeared in the January 1835 issue of Godey’s Ladies book; an influential fashion periodical founded in 1830. It is believed to be the first pieced quilt pattern published in America.When the pattern was first introduced, it was sewn together without any attempt to arrange color. In the early 19th century, as color-loving quilters began experimenting with the design, hexagon quilts appeared with sorting and arrangement of colors. During the early 20th century, many quilt patterns were renamed to make them sound quaint and “colonial.”Facebook
Orchard Park Elementary, 600 Toccoa Highway, #318 Orchard of Learning
The Orchard of Learning, was painted by the 2nd grade class of the 2013-14 school year under the guidance of the art teacher, Jennifer Hindman. The quilt is representative of the stages of learning students go through in a school year – from vessels ready to be filled like the winter tree, to blossoming and growing in their learning until they reach the stage of full fruit. The pattern for the tree itself came from Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks, Volume 7, Apple Tree block #660, by Jane Dudley. The pattern for the four seasonal trees was published in Quilts from Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks, Spring 2014.Pat Huggins, a retired Orchard Park teacher, volunteered to made the cloth quilt. Pat grew up in Edgefield, SC among a family of seamstresses. Pat was active in 4H and sewed throughout junior high school, high school, college and beyond. Her marriage to Gil Huggins created an interlude in her sewing life, but when he developed an interest in and took up quilting, she experienced a rebirth of her sewing interests. They both became active in the Lake and Mountain Quilt Guild in 2008 and soon found themselves living in what looked like a quilt shop. Both have won ribbons on individual and joint projects. Together, they have produced over 30 quilts of all sizes and styles for personal use and as gifts for family and friends.
Residence, 319 Anderson Avenue
#275. Friendship StarQuilter: Rebecca DeFoorSponsor: Kathy SmithKathy Smith and Becky DeFoor have worked on many community projects over the years and share a close friendship. They have known each other since high school and Kathy shared “their friendship has grown even more so as we have aged and worked on several projects and quilt blocks over the years.” Kathy helped Becky paint a quilt block for her daughter’s new home and decided she wanted a quilt block for her home. She chose the Friendship Star that represents to her how we join with “sisters” who share our delight in painting, our fascination with color, and our desire to create something from the heart.One of the most memorable blocks is the Friendship Star Quilt Block. This block held a special place in the hearts of pioneer women because most times the quilt blocks were created in secret by family and friends and then presented as a going away present when a loved one was heading out West.
