The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Best of Show
Rocky River woman sews up top spot in 27th annual Quilt Show
Of the numerous entries submitted for the 27th annual Quilt Show at Lake Metroparks Farmpark in Kirtland, Lyn McQuiston’s “1857 Album Quilt” has been deemed the best.
This is the third time McQuiston of Rocky River has sewn up “Best of Show” honors at the event which takes place now through March 11.
“I can’t believe it. I’m just in shock,” she said during a recent interview.
“There’s so much talent in Northeast Ohio and so much outstanding work in the show.”
Hundreds of hours of work went into the piece that also garnered the “Best Machine Quilting” award.
Coincidentally, the quintessential quilt maker was first inspired to begin quilting in 2000 after she and her mother were driving and passed a sign posted on Lake Farmpark’s fence publicizing the show. It prompted them to stop by and take a look.
“We went in and we were both completely hooked,” she said. “We were mesmerized.”
McQuiston claims that the creative art is now a big part of her life.
“I quilt every day,” she said. “For me quilting has been great therapy on a lot of levels. I would encourage any people with any interest in quilting to look for a guild to join. The people are so helpful.”
The exceptional quality of the woman’s work will also be on display at the Virginia Quilt Museum in Harrisonburg, Virginia, which recently chose another of her quilts for an exhibit.
Behind the scenes but skillfully coordinating the vast task of putting together Quilts 2018 at the Farmpark is special events assistant Andrea Pasquale.
Pasquale, of Willoughby Hills, has been working on the show for 20 years, the past 15 as manager.
She explained that it first began as a way to draw people to the Farmpark during the slower winter months. At that time the show took place in a single classroom and quilters were permitted to submit several entries.
Now, after gaining substantial popularity, a bevy of quilts are hung in several areas of the visitor’s center and quilters are limited to a single submission.
“It’s an art show in textile arts and I think it appeals to everybody,” Pasquale said. “It’s a wonderful show to come visit.”
She noted that it takes two days for regionally recognized judges to inspect several features of each quilt. Design, colors working together, intersections meeting on point, properly sized borders and more are among judges’ considerations.
Pasquale summed up McQuiston’s Best of Show quilt as “perfect everything.”
Gayle Benigar of Mentor and Phyliis Haehn of Concord Township also gained honors for their work this year.
Benigar, who placed second
This is the third time McQuiston of Rocky River has sewn up “Best of Show” honors at the event which takes place now through March 11.
in the individual pieced quilt — small category with her “Log Cabin Diamonds” entry, said her foray into quilting began after retirement. Of the five times she has entered the competition, this is her first win.
“I really worked hard on this one… mainly working on keeping my lines straight and making my corners meet accurately,” she said.
Haehn’s “Flowering Stars” quilt earned second place in the individual pieced quilt — large category. She credits her husband, Dr. Ralph Haehn, a retired veterinarian in the Painesville area, for encouraging her to submit the piece which took six months to complete.
“I guess I owe him,” she said.
Haehn noted that she finds the fine form of sewing to be meditative and peaceful and especially enjoys hand quilting.
“I don’t have to fight with the sewing machine,” she said.
Having such a quilt show last as long as it has is rare, Haehn said, and added “I think it’s wonderful.”
Quilts 2018 offers visitors the opportunity to view an array of approximately 200 creative pieces.
Adding interest are exhibits of works by noted artists.
This year Karen Combs of Tennessee and Karen Miller of New York will be featured. They’ll also conduct workshops for those interested in learning or perfecting the craft.
For more information, visit http://bit. ly/2GQmMFh.