The Mission Quilt Show, hosted by the Mission Historical Museum in conjunction with the Winter Texan Times held a reception Thursday, Feb. 2, to announce winners and to present a program about quilting.

The program began with show chairwoman Annette Sweet discussing the history of quilting as it evolved from the period of the American Civil War to the present. She discussed the old time “Signature Quilts” that were given to family members and friends who might be moving so far away they might never see each other again. She compared them to the modern photo-generated quilts that have become popular, as ways of remembering loved ones.

She discussed popular patterns such as the log cabin, which developed in the 1800s, and talked about the piece quilts where women had contests to see how many different pieces they could get in one quilt. She also pointed out the Depression Era when women used feed sacks and the linings from cigar boxes as fabric for their quilts.

Next, Museum Director Cassandra Karl discussed ways of preserving and cleaning quilts. She offered several helpful tips on how to store quilts to avoid creases that would break the threads in the material.

Jim Brunson, publisher of the Winter Texan Times, then awarded ribbons to the winners of the competition.

In the new Youth category, “My First Quilt,” a small quilt made by Mary Kay Sweet, received a first place.

In the Mixed Media category, “Sacred Space,” by Jane Pronovost, was awarded first place.

In the category of Wearable Art, a quilted jacket by Rosemary Hedlund took a first place ribbon.

In Wall Hangings category, first place was awarded to Paula Young with “Earth Day.” Second place went to Sandra S. Franklin with “A Walk in the Woods.” Third place went to Connie Garrrels with “Texas Wildflower.”  Honorable mentions were given to “Wall Hanging” by Myrna Whigham and “Grandma’s Fan” by Sandra Newland.

In the Machine-quilted Bed Quilt category, first place was awarded to “Affairs of the Heart” by Natalie Brummel. Second place went to “Santa Land” by Carolyn Evans, and third place to Annette Sweet for her “Autumn Stars” quilt. Honorable mentions were given to Carol Blosser with “My Magical Fans,” Nina Nelson with “Mountain Pond,” and Helen Badgerow with “Last Light.”

In the Hand-quilted Bed Quilt division, Eleanor Merryfield took first place with “Autumn Colors,” while Josephine Carver placed second with “Double Wedding Ring,” and third place went to Celestine D. McMahon with “A Tree of Twitters.”

The quilt selected as Viewers Choice was “Affairs of the Heart” by Natalie Brummel. The quilt selected as “Best of the Show” was Paul Young’s “Earth Day.”

The quilts will be on display through February 11 so museum patrons may go by and see the quilts firsthand. There is no charge for admission, though donations are welcomed.