Life Skills quilt auction sets new record

Plymouth County Fair Queen Jesa Wolthuizen and King David Becker display a cat appliquéd quilt constructed by Geri Dreckman at the Life Skills Foundation Quilt Auction Saturday at the Plymouth County Fair. The quilt got the top bid of the day at $550. [Click to enlarge]

A new record, both number of quilts and dollars raised, was set at the 12th annual Life Skills Foundation Quilt Auction Saturday in Century Hall at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds.

The 56 items on the auction block raised $11,805 for the Life Skills Foundation.

"It was just overwhelming," said Becky Scheitler, Life Skills Training Center's public relations coordinator. "I thought the year before was fantastic as we broke records then. We broke that record this year."

A large crowd filled Century Hall and after viewing the colorful fabrics and detailed needlework by individuals and groups, bidders listened carefully as auctioneers Don Law and Bruce Brock worked the audience to get top bids for the quilted works of art which included baby and children's quilts, soft afghans, and quilts in both traditional styles and more colorful patterns.

"We had some new donors this year which was nice," Scheitler said, "along with our regular supporters in both donations and bidding."

High bid of the day was $550 for a whimsical appliquéd quilt of cats with a few fish and butterflies bound with a paw print fabric. Geri Dreckman of Le Mars constructed the 90x100" quilt, which was machine-quilted in a paw print pattern and included the word "Meow" in the quilting. The buyers were Greg and Pam Wells.

Second highest bid was $500 for a quilt given in memory of Life Skills client Gwen Grage by St. Mary's Mission Society of Remsen. This red and white quilt featured blocks embroidered by Gwen's grandmother, Marge Grage, and was hand-quilted. "The striking red and white beauty is not only a tribute to Gwen and her family but to the spirit of volunteerism and caring that is alive and well in our area," noted the auction program. The quilt was purchased by First National Bank.

A one-of-a-kind wall hanging, "Pigture Perfect" commemorated the 2008 Plymouth County Fair with a pig and corn stalk appliqué. The 21x21" quilted piece garnered a bid of $110. The hanging was donated by Della Brouilette and Becky Wiersma, two women who are regular contributors of several items to the auction each year.

The final quilt on the auction got a bid of $475. The sage green and cream-colored Double Irish Chain quilt was donated by the Merrill Lions Club. Denyse Meister took the queen-size quilt home.

Crystal Brannan, a client at Life Skills, spoke to the crowd, thanking all those who sewed quilts, donated quilts and would buy the quilts. Scheitler asked all the quilt contributors to stand and be recognized for their work.

"We appreciate everyone who came to the auction to bid and support Life Skills," said Scheitler. "Some people say quilting is a dying art. I think it's refreshing to see the number of people picking it up."

Scheitler noted several donations were from students and 4-H'ers. "It's exciting to see the spirit of volunteerism and the donations from all ages," she said.

All funds raised go into the foundation fund, and is used for programming and services for people with disabilities. Last year, Life Skills Training Center served 68 clients and provided 70,000 hours of training.

This is the sixth year the quilt auction has been held during the Plymouth County Fair and is the 12th annual quilt auction coordinated by the Foundation board.