Moving Display of Stars, Stripes & Stitches at Library

Photos courtesy Crawfordsville District Public Library

The Mary Bishop Memorial Gallery at the Crawfordsville District Public Library would like to invite the public to view Stars, Stripes, and Stitches: Celebrating America 250! Over two dozen patriotic textiles will be on display now through mid-July during CDPL’s hours of operation. A limited amount of quilted works will be for sale during the exhibition through our Circulation department. This exhibit is sponsored by the Sugar Creek Quilters Guild and includes non-members.

The quilts in this exhibit are more than functional artworks. They tell visitors about our personal histories, our long-loved traditions, and provide a positive space to reflect on our past and future together as Americans. Mabel Plugel began creating squares for each of the 48 states’ flowers in 1946 and this year her granddaughter-in-law Laurie Hendrickson completed her project; 80 years in the making. Our heart goes to Specialist Matthew Curtis Frantz who lost his life in Iraq along with nearly everyone in his squad in 2006. His parents Jim and Marilyn commissioned a quilt that preserves his uniform, his imagery, and his dedication to freedom. Their family has served a total of 57 years and we recognize that they have made the greatest sacrifice to protect our nation.

This exhibit has many deeply personal stories but it also includes a wide variety of lighthearted interpretations and dedications to great monuments. As you move through the gallery, you will discover quilts that were began during the Civil War, traditional patterns anew, and great memorials to the protectors of freedom.

The Guild has shared its work with the community since the group was created and has exhibited its textiles at CDPL almost every year since 1995. Their themes have expanded far beyond early quilting concepts to include an array of imagery and text. The techniques used include machine-sewn, hand-sewn, and machine embroidered. Some of the items are quilted by hand, some by machine, and others on a long-arm sewing machine. They use a wide variety of fabrics including vintage cloth, reproduction fabric, and modern blends.

The Guild is continually accepting new members, advanced and beginners, all are welcome including guests. The Sugar Creek Quilters’ Guild meets on the third Monday night of the month beginning with social time at 5:45 p.m. at CDPL. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. followed by textile-based programs and Show & Tell featuring their members. To learn more about membership, you may contact the Guild at sugarcreekquilters@gmail.com.  Be sure to follow them on Facebook to ensure the most up-to-date schedules and organizational details.

For more information about CDPL’s hours of operation or to view our calendar, please visit our website at crawfordsvillelibrary.in.gov. If you are an artist or a member of an artists’ group and are interested in displaying your work at the Mary Bishop Memorial Gallery in 2027-28, please contact Toni the Gallery Coordinator at (765) 362-2242 for more details.