Liberty in Stitches at Stephen Foster
Sew Many Quilts, Sew Many Stories to Tell
This quilt, The Fall Flower, by 11 year old Morgan Carney, won first place - youth. She is a member of Suwannee 4-H. -SVT Photo by Tami Stevenson
By Tami Stevenson
Some traditions never go out of style, especially those stitched together with a little patience, a lot of creativity and generations of memories. Last weekend, the 35th Annual Stephen Foster Quilt Show, appropriately titled “Liberty in Stitches,” brought those traditions to life with a colorful celebration of quilting, craftsmanship and America’s heritage.
This year’s show featured 136 judged entries and 140 quilts overall, nearly doubling last year’s number of entries. Antique and vintage quilts added a special touch, offering visitors a glimpse into the artistry and handiwork of generations past.
With numerous categories for quilters to showcase their talents, there was something for nearly everyone. In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, a patriotic category celebrated the nation’s history in fabric and thread.
Young quilters also had their moment in the spotlight, with entries from area youth, including members of Suwannee and Hamilton County 4-H groups. The 4-H program offers summer classes teaching children how to sew and create quilts of their own, helping ensure that this time-honored craft continues for generations to come.
And while the quilts were certainly the stars of the show, they weren’t the only treasures with stories to tell.
Samantha Lucas, of It’s Alive Vintage Machine Restoration, brought a collection of antique sewing machines to display in the museum. Among them was her personal favorite, a 1958 Singer 401A, which she considers the finest sewing machine Singer ever produced.
“It’s a workhorse that can basically sew through anything. They were largely produced and very expensive for the time. In today’s economy, this machine would sell for around $4,000, with the wooden cabinet and accessories,” Lucas said.
For Lucas, these vintage machines represent more than mechanical ingenuity. They carry the ancestry of mothers and grandmothers who once relied on them for everything from mending clothes to creating family treasures.
“My generation and the younger ones are some of the first generations that weren’t raised with a home economics class in school. This wasn’t made a part of our lives but this is something we need to learn. I believe we may need it more in the future,” she added.
Inside the Carillon Tower, the Lady of the Lake Quilt Guild, based in Lake City, shared a display of quilts and photo albums chronicling its 38-year history.
Two new additions to this year’s show were Quilts of Valor, an organization that makes quilts to honor veterans, and the Wakulla Quilt Guild.
Visitors weren’t limited to admiring the handiwork of others. They also had opportunities to try their own hand at sewing.
Emma Corbin, of Emma’s Sewing Studio in Live Oak, offered hands-on lessons for children and adults, teaching participants how to operate a sewing machine and follow a simple pattern. The reward for their efforts? An adorable owl pincushion, handmade by each participant and ready to take home.
Of course, all that browsing and stitching can work up an appetite!
Joann Townsend, owner of Papas in Jasper, returned as the show’s food vendor, a role she has filled for the past 10 years. Townsend said she was impressed with the number of visitors and reported selling out of food the previous day.
The show also featured a variety of arts and crafts vendors offering everything from handmade pottery to quilt patterns with roots reaching back nearly two centuries.
Vendor Jennifer Wood brought a fascinating collection of historic quilt patterns, including designs dating to the 1800s. She also offered copies of patterns from a 1939 Works Progress Administration (WPA) project during the Great Depression. Wood had compiled the patterns into binders, making entire collections available for customers who wanted to bring a little history into their own sewing rooms.
Mikael Byrd, of The Greenwood Vale, added another touch of traditional craftsmanship with a selection of handmade pottery.
For those inspired to pick up a needle and thread, the opportunity doesn’t end with the quilt show.
Julie Smith, of the Lady of the Lake Quilt Guild, invited anyone interested in quilting to attend the group’s meetings, held on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Methodist Church on Marion Avenue in Lake City.
As the 35th annual show came to a close, one thing was clear: quilting is about much more than fabric and thread. It’s about preserving memories, passing along skills and creating something beautiful that can outlast the hands that made it. And judging by the enthusiasm of this year’s participants, it’s a tradition with plenty of stitches still to come.
Ribbon winners are listed below.
First place quilt by Celeste Beck, from the Alachua County Day Guild called Inspiration House. -SVT Photo by Tami Stevenson
Littleton’s Quilt won First Place - Patriotic, by Cindy Jo Ayers from Springhouse Quilt Guild in Trenton. -SVT Photo by Tami Stevenson
Lady of the Lake Quilt Guild leaders L-R: Elizabeth Rainey, current second vice president of the guild and is slated to become president for 2027, Chairperson Stephanie Sikora, Celeste Beck, the current president. The Lady of the Lake guild is in its 38th year. -SVT Photo by Tami Stevenson
Springhouse Quilters from Trenton, L-R: Kimble Palmer and Jodi Geiger. -SVT Photo by Tami Stevenson
1890’s Quilt on display - Maker Unknown. -SVT Photo by Tami Stevenson
1958 Singer 401A sewing machine. Owner Samantha Lucas says this model is the best Singer has ever made. It’s a workhorse and would sell for around $4,000 today. -SVT Photo
The pincushion ladies! L-R: Emma Corbin from Emma’s Sewing Studio in Live Oak and Patricia Gill of Jasper and one of Emma’s students. -SVT Photo
Pincushions kids and adults could make themseles and take home. -SVT Photo
It was such a nice day, these White Springs vendors couldn’t help but set up out side. -SVT Photo
And the Ribbons Go To…
2026 Stephen Foster Quilt Show Winners:
Large Pieced: First place went to Catherine McVay of Tree City Quilters for Civil War Chronicles; second place to Stephanie Sikora of Lady of the Lake for The Brown One; and third place to Judy Giddens of Lady of the Lake for Farm Girl.
Large Appliqued: First place went to Stephanie Metts of Rose Cottage Quilters for Magnolia Splendor, second place Teddy Pruett of Lady of the Lake for It All Started in Paris.
Patriotic: Cindy Jo Ayers of Springhouse Quilt Guild took first place with Littleton’s Quilt; Sylvia Dunnam of Lady of the Lake earned second place with Patriotic Flag; and Donna York placed third with Done.
Small/Medium Pieced: Dominique Villamizar won first place with Stars Sampler; Sharon Schultz Fuentes of Tree City Quilters’ Guild earned second place with Stars of Liberty; and Mary Ann Dennis of All Star Quilting Guild took third place with Fractured Log Cabin #2.
Small/Medium Appliqued: Frances Vogt of Lady of the Lake claimed first place with A Merry Christmas Garden; Debbie Cobb took second place with Quilter’s Paradise; and Helen Gyllstrom of Tree City Quilt Guild earned third place with Alamanda.
Art Quilts: Sharon Hildebrand earned first place with Nature’s Dream; Stephanie Metts of Rose Cottage Quilters took second place with Moonlight Serenade; and Elizabeth Rainey, representing Lady of the Lake and Withlacoochee Quilters Guilds, placed third with Purple Strata.
Other: Celeste Beck of Quilters of Alachua County Day Guild won first place with Inspiration House, while Stephanie Gayle Rogers of Lady of the Lake took second place with These Are a Few of My Favorite Things.
Youth: Eleven-year-old Morgan Carney of Suwannee County 4-H earned first place with The Fall Flower; 11-year-old Andi Mae Collins, also of Suwannee County 4-H, took second place with Andi’s Dog Rescue; and 11-year-old Harper Hembree of Suwannee County 4-H placed third with Harper’s Flower Garden.
Embroidery: Delores Reiter of Lady of the Lake earned first place with Little Lulu.
Special Awards: The Judges’ Choice Award went to Celeste Beck of Lady of the Lake for Florida Stitched in Sunshine, while the Viewer’s Choice Award went to Mary Ann Dennis of All Star Quilting Guild for It’s Not Turtle Soup.
