Life Skills auction has special quilts

Kelley Pick, chair of the Life Skills Foundation Quilt Auction is surrounded by quilts set to be auctioned Saturday at 2 p.m. in Century Hall on the Plymouth County Fairgrounds. She holds a penguin appliquéd quilt, with a star quilt (the top found in a barn in Colorado), held in the background. [Click to enlarge]

It may be warm outside, but thoughts will turn to quilts Saturday for the annual Life Skills Foundation Charity Quilt Auction at 2 p.m. in Century Hall on the Plymouth County Fairgrounds.

Fifty-three quilts, including pieced, appliquéd, embroidered, frayed, hand-quilted, machine-quilted and tied, all of various sizes, as well as crocheted afghans will be on the auction block.

The quilts are donated by individuals, groups and organizations. Proceeds going to benefit Life Skills Training Center and its mission to assist individuals with disabilities to achieve their highest level of independence and inclusion in their communities.

The quilts are currently on display at First National Bank in Le Mars, and will be available for viewing one hour prior to the auction Saturday in Century Hall.

Kelley Pick, who serves as chairpoerson of the quilt auction, is excited about the variety for sale.

"We have many beautiful quilts this year," Pick said.

Several quilts have stories that go with them, according to Life Skills' public relations coordinator Becky Scheitler.

"One quilt is in memory of Gwen Grage, a client of Life Skills for many years and who has since passed away," said Scheitler. The Mission Society of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Remsen donated the quilt, which they put togehter and hand-quilted. The quilt blocks were embrodiered by Gwen's grandmother, Marge Grage.

"That's a wonderful story and tribute," said Scheitler.

"We also have an outstanding example of what groups can accomplish when they come together," said Scheitler, as she described a small puzzle piece quilt donated by the Sigma Phi and Zi Zeta Rho Chapters of BETA.

"It was pieced together by students of the Textile Arts Class of 2008 at LCHS and Della Brouillette did the machine quilting," said Scheitler. The twin-size quilt measures 68 x 81 inches, and is a lively, colorful piece done in pink, orange, yellow, green and blue.

Della Brouillette and Becky Wiersma teamed up on another interesting quilt.

"Della's sister found this treasurer in a barn in Colorado, and it has been revitalized by Della and Becky," said Scheitler. The star fabric dates back to the 1930s and has been appliquéd on a large white piece.

"Della machine quilted around each tiny piece and the result is an outstanding quilt. It is backed with solid white fabric and measures 75 x 75 inches. This nostalgic quilt would look stunning draped on a comfy chair or even hung on a wall as a piece of art," Scheitler said.

Scheitler hopes people will come out to the quilt auction and show their support.

"Quilts make excellent gifts for weddings, baby showers, graduations and other times," she said.