Skip to content

Runaway Quilters 2019

The Runaway Quilters made their 33rd trip to the Mount Saint Joseph Conference and Retreat Center the week of Sept. 16, 2019, sharing their craft and plenty of smiles in rooms throughout the Center and in the gymnasium. Here are some photos from Sept. 17.

Marilyn Adkins, of Sacramento, Ky., sews one of the pieces of UK fabric she just cut while taking part in the “Sit and Sew” in the gymnasium. The pieces are part of a spin around quilt she is making for her son, who graduated from the University of Kentucky in the spring. “He’ll cover up with it on the couch,” she said.
Beth Branstetter, left, of Gilbertsville, Ky., laughs with Nancy Groff, of Mascoutah, Ill. “I just met her this week,” Branstetter said. “You make lots of friends here.” She was working on a quilt as a Christmas gift.
Theresa Lancaster holds up her agriculture quilt, which she needed to put a sleeve on so it can be hung. This was her first visit to the Runaway Quilters, made easier since she and her husband moved from Breckinridge County to Calhoun, Ky. Her husband’s aunt was the late Ursuline Sister Annalita Lancaster. “My two sons farm 12,000 acres and my daughter-in-law is an ag teacher in Henderson,” she said. “This will hang in her classroom.”
Beth Branstetter is hidden behind this quilt she made, which just needed the binding added.
Theresa Lancaster, left, has a shirt that says it all about the Runaway Quilters, as she and Marilyn Adkins look at a completed quilt.
Kathy Gibson, right, of Arlington, Ky., and Charlotte Owens, of Cunningham, Ky., sport the official Runaway Quilters T-shirt for 2019. The two came together from far western Kentucky. This is Owens’ first time at the event. “We just all sew together,” she said. She was working on an Irish chain quilt, which she planned to keep for herself.
The gym is just one place quilters gather to “Sit and Sew.” There are 110 quilters this year.
This quilt is hanging in the Retreat Center lobby.
Nancy Jennings, of Paducah, Ky., irons her jellyroll quilt that she planned to put a border on. “This is for my ninth great grandchild,” she said.
To use the English paper piecing method, these pre-cut paper shapes are covered in material and glued.
Margaret Scott shows some of the shapes that are sewn together. Then the paper is removed. “Everything is done by hand, there are no machines,” she said.
Margaret Scott, left, of Island, Ky., one of the coordinators of the Runaway Quilters, gives some advice to Marilyn Collins of Albion, Ill., during her class on how to make “Not Your Grandmother’s Flower Garden,” using the English paper piecing method.
Nancy Hicks, left, of Smyrna, Tenn., instructs Carol High, of Greenbrier, Tenn., during her class on “Chickens.” Hicks has been an instructor for Runaway Quilters for six years. “We’re hatching chickens today,” she said. “They’re all doing great.”
The Anatomy of a Chicken shows the students the basic pieces.
The final result should look something like this, but each completed chicken quilt will look different, Hicks said.
Each year, participants hang completed quilts on the railing of the Retreat Center courtyard for everyone to enjoy.
Each year, participants hang completed quilts on the railing of the Retreat Center courtyard for everyone to enjoy.
Each year, participants hang completed quilts on the railing of the Retreat Center courtyard for everyone to enjoy.
Each year, participants hang completed quilts on the railing of the Retreat Center courtyard for everyone to enjoy.
Each year, participants hang completed quilts on the railing of the Retreat Center courtyard for everyone to enjoy.

Comments

Comments are closed