By Lindsay Conner
For The Herald Bulletin
CHESTERFIELD, Ind. —
One hundred fifty-two members strong, the Redbud Quilt Guild is the largest quilting association in Madison County.
The guild opens its biannual show to the public Friday, at Chesterfield’s Millcreek Civic Center. The Redbud Quilt Show will feature over 200 quilts, demonstrations, quilting supplies and food vendors.
“Before the show, a certified judge will view the quilts and award ribbons to the winners,” said Redbud member Peggy Sanqunetti, who also serves as chairwoman for this year’s show.
One quilt will be raffled off, with the winner drawn Saturday at 3:45 p.m. “Normally, we have our show in the fall, but we postponed the show to make sure we’re legal with our quilt raffle,” Sanqunetti said.
The guild first met in 1980, making this the 30th anniversary. Guild chairwoman Peg Peter looks forward to the quilt show each year it’s held. “My favorite part of the show is seeing everyone’s work. There are many varieties of quilting styles and techniques, and it’s fun to see them all on display at once.”
With an average of 75 to 85 quilters attending each meeting, the Redbud Quilt Guild meets monthly at Madison Park Church’s Scatterfield Center, 2604 N. Scatterfield Road.
A member of the guild for 12 years, Sanqunetti has found a kinship with the local quilters. “My favorite thing would be the fellowship that you get, and the friends. They support you in so many ways besides the quilting.”
Redbud members are not only supportive of each other, but the larger community. “We make quilts for Alternatives women’s shelter and walker bags for a local nursing home,” Sanqunetti said. A large ongoing charity project is the Quilts of Valor program. Redbud members make quilts for returning soldiers that are distributed through the Veterans Administration hospital in Indianapolis.
