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School Block Challenge Winners Announced

The Museum of the American Quilter’s Society (MAQS) recently had students across the country in stitches during the annual School Block Challenge which featured almost 60 blocks from 8 states.

An exhibition of all quilt blocks will be on display in the Museum’s gallery January 24–March 24. Next to each block will be a narrative about its design and development submitted by the students. A reception will be held on Saturday, 27 January, to recognize the winners and all the participants. Local residents and media are invited to attend to meet these amazing quilters and learn more about the School Block Challenge. The display will be exhibited from 24 January - 24 March 2007

Sponsored by Moda Fabrics, School Block Challenge is a national competition challenging students in grades K - 12 to work in groups of 2 or more to create 16″ quilt blocks. Participating schools were given packets with three fabrics from Moda Fabrics, and students were required to use all three fabrics in their blocks. Quilters often assist the students as their projects develop. The blocks are judged in categories of K - 4th grades, 5th - 8th grades and 9th - 12th grades. A grand prize award is given to the overall outstanding quilt block.

The 2007 Grand Prize winner is the quilt block What I like best about 4th grade is…. by Elizabeth Brackins, Allyson Collins, Phoebe Doyle, Tommy Galbato, Emily Grayson, Kayla Gilbert, Allie Harmon, Abbey Hill, Chad Irvin, Erica Jimenez, Patrick Keogh, Adam Martin, Garrett McIntyre, Dustin McKinney, Blake Nelson, Chandler Petty, Katie Pierce, Matthew Pisani, Austin Sanders, Ruth Smith, Erick Vigil, Isaac Webster and Alyssa Zerillo. These 4th grade students attend Oak View Elementary in Franklin, TN.

Taking first place in the K - 4th grade category was What? No Pluto! by Amelia Beames, Emily Harris, Bell McBride, Makyla McCown, Emily Meredith, Heather Mullenax, Dominique Perry, Sarah Shaikh, Jody Hooper, Sarah Sosa and Brianna Moesha, members of Brownie Troop 1792 in Paducah. Upon recently learning that Pluto is no longer recognized as a planet, the troop created the new solar system configuration with fabric yo-yos and iron-on fabrics.

The first place winners in the 5th - 8th grade category were Brittany Morehead, Jacob Clevinger, Meghan Foster and Brandi Pearson, students at South Marshall Elementary, with their block Bright and Shining Star. These students learned how to hand and machine-sew as well as use an iron to create a colorful star design.

First place in the 9th - 12th grade category is a block titled Sultry Starry Night made by Doug Blake, David Espejo, Gabriela Flores, Will Francis, Joseph Francis, Jade Jess, Sarah Jaggers, Eddie King, Michael Powell and April Robertson, students at Todd County Central High School in Elkton, KY. Using Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night as inspiration, these students combined art elements and sewing to create their own star-studded night.

The Museum of the American Quilter’s Society is a non-profit institution located in downtown Paducah, KY. The Museum is open year-round Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. CST. The Museum is also open on Sundays 1-5 p.m. April - October. MAQS is accessible. For more information on this and other programming, please call 270-442-8856 or visit www.quiltmuseum.org.

© 2007 QuiltsHome.