A Cookeville Winner

Going for the Gold is the appliqué quilt creation of Nancy Pardue of Cookeville. This quilt was awarded third place award in the 2009 Bobbi Pilling Award of the Embroiderers' Guild of America . Nancy interpreted the theme Sunbonnet Sue in a most contemporary way featuring two beach volleyball players wearing bonnets. Sea creatures hold the net and flag for a whimsical touch. The Bobbie Pilling Award is named for the late Bobbie Pilling who served the Embroiderers' Guild of America (EGA) as a president. She encouraged stitchers to stretch themselves and "go outside the lines". Winners of the Award are in the September 1009 issue of the EGA monthl;y magazine, Needle Arts. Nancy Pardue is a board member active in the production of the Annual Upper Cumberland Quilt Festival. We congratulate her on the recognition of her achievement.

The Lorea Brown Story

Note: You can click on any quilt image to see an enlarged view.

Lorea is well known in the quilting community for the 80+ quilts that she and her late husband made together. He learned how to hand piece quilts when he became ill in 1982; he hand pieced the tops and Lorea did the hand quilting. They sold some quilts in order to purchase his medicines. He passed away in 1989. Since that time a few of the quilts have been returned to her. She enjoys sharing her quilts at the Upper Cumberland Quilt Festivals.

The quilt shown below was also displayed in 2009 and is the "Pineapple" pattern. It was made by Harley and Lorea in 1985. It won a Viewer's Choice award.

The Upper Cumberland Quilt Festival looks forward to displaying more of Lorea's quilts in 2010. We hope you will be there to see the many quilts that exemplify the creative designs, patience, and detail of their makers.