Blue ribbons and lots of memories at Rivers and Spires’ Quilts of the Cumberland Show

Written by Jerry Church

Clarksville, TN – What do white gloves, fat quarters, a Civil War history lesson, blue ribbons and a tribute to an old friend all have in common? They are all part of this year’s Quilts of the Cumberland quilt show during Rivers and Spires here in Clarksville, Tennessee.

Madison Street United Methodist Church has hosted the Quilts of the Cumberland Quilt Show since its beginning four years ago. The Quilt show itself is held in the Activities/gymnasium area behind the main Sanctuary with the entrance off Commerce Street.

This year there were nearly 70 quilts exhibited, including a tribute to Bea Goddard, a local master quilter who passed away just 3 weeks ago. Bea’s family members were so gracious in lending some of her prize winning quilts as well as the quilt she was making for this year’s show, still in progress. On exhibit are also Bea’s many ribbons and awards. Bea will be missed by many in the quilting community.

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Quilts of the Cumberland was the hidden jewel of the Rivers and Spires Festival

The weather outside on Saturday was blustery, cold and miserable, but inside the lower level of Madison Street Methodist Church was a display of quilts that warmed the heart of any by-stander.

Quilts of the Cumberland featured more than 50 quilts, ranging from tiny miniatures to full bed-sized artworks. The variety of quilts shown in this exhibit ranged from the perfection of purple geometric pieces in French Braid to the beautiful Geisha of Winter Snow and Tea Ceremony to the shimmering fish in Retiring Fish. Other quilts featured everything from animals to clowns to romantic flower designs.

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