Mukwonago’s quilt show celebrates 26 years this weekend
By Amanda Schumacher
Correspondent
Round robins and log cabins were abundant during last month’s meeting of the local quilting guild, Crazy Quilters. While members focused heavily on preparation for their annual quilt show set for this weekend and conducted basic housekeeping for various guild activities, the eclectic group found time to share stories, jokes and their latest creations, proving to be just as colorful as the quilts they create.
Crazy Quilters was founded in 1985 with eight individuals. That number has since grown, now boasting a group size of almost 100 women, of all different ages and skill sets.
This year marks the group’s 26th annual quilt show, a big feat in the world of quilting.
“It isn’t the norm for a [quilting guild] to have a show every year, because it is a lot of work,” Brooke Furmanek, this year’s show chair, said with a smile, “Everybody has been working really hard.”
One such individual is Karen Moore, a Crazy Quilter member for the past 15 years and according to Furmanek, a “superstar ribbon header.”
Moore and Julia McKagan, a member since 2000, stitched placement ribbons on quirky star patches for the show’s judging portion.
“We decided to do stars for the Hollywood theme,” Furmanek explained.
The 2013 theme, “Here’s to Hollywood: Movies, Books and Fairytales,” was decided by committee vote.
Themes are often determined at least a year in advance.
“People ask at the show what next year’s theme is. We already have a theme for 2014,” according to Furmanek.
She said this gives individuals who wish to enter ample time to create a masterpiece fitted to the designated theme.
Piece by piece
Many guild members have been working feverishly on pieces, in hopes to have them completed and entered for this year’s show, set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 6 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, April 7 at Parkview Middle School, 930 N. Rochester St., Mukwonago.
During the show and tell portion of their March meeting, members were able to discuss their work thus far and even share some pieces they were working on just for fun.
Luann Pankowski showed off her work on a bright yellow and pink baby blanket.
“I was in Medford, Wis., for a Lions Club bowling tournament, and I have to go to a quilt shop wherever I go,” Pankowski shared, on where she found the specific fabric for the blanket.
Pankowski and her mother, Mary Tatera are both members of Crazy Quilters, which is a common theme for the guild.
“Lots of nepotism here,” Pankowski said with a laugh.
Whether that is true or not, the group overall was very supportive and encouraging to all their members and their works of art.
Some members challenged themselves to work together on a round robin (a group quilt where each member creates a different portion of the piece).
Other members took on the quilter’s challenge “That Was Then, This Is Now,” which challenged them to put a new spin on a traditional pattern, such as a log cabin.
Over 300 quilted entries, from table runners to purses, will be on display during show time.
In addition to viewing quilts, show attendees can purchase various items such as fabric, enter raffles and help local veterans by purchasing items from the “Red, White, and Blue” boutique. Proceeds go to an exercise machine for the Wisconsin Veterans Home in Union Grove.
For additional information or to enter a quilt, visit www.mukwonagocrazyquilters.com.
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