The 2nd Annual Bonham Quilt Hop was in full swing Saturday, May 14 after an opening reception at the Creative Arts Center Friday evening.

On Saturday, a citywide celebration featured quilts “Past and Present,” highlighting historical and antique quilts, as well as more modern and contemporary pieces. 

One of the many elements that made this event fascinating is that remarkable and historic quilts were on display in many of Bonham's most popular tourist sites.

The Sam Rayburn Library and Museum exhibit focused on the use of cotton sacks in quilting, including a cotton sack quilt, Streak of Lightning, as well as an array of cotton or feed sack quilting items from the Briscoe Center Winedale Quilt Collection at UT-Austin. 

The Bonham Visitor’s Center also featured quilts from the Winedale Quilt Center, showcasing historic quilts from the Joyce Gross Quilt History Collection.  Gross’ collection is composed of historically significant quilts and research materials assembled by one of the foremost authorities on twentieth-century American quilt making and contains more than 170 examples of American quilting.  The eight quilts on exhibit during the Quilt Hop illustrated the variety of the collection, including pattern and kit quilts, as well as original patterns from award winning quilt makers. Barbara White, Briscoe Center, UT-Austin, gave a special presentation on the quilts. 

Quilts from Fannin County’s history were on display at the Fannin County Historical Center.  The Museum of History featured quilts that have been donated to the museum over the years from families throughout Fannin County, as well as a friendship quilt made by the First Christian Church for Rev. Don Griffith as a farewell present. The Fannin County Historical Commission spotlighted twelve quilts from the Sam Rayburn House collection, as well as other quilt-related artifacts from the Rayburn House Museum.  Anne Ruppert, Curator of the House Museum, gave a special presentation on the exhibit.

A mixture of antique and contemporary quilts wereon display at the Bonham Public Library, as well as the Creative Arts Center.  Antique quilts, including a friendship quilt and red work quilt, were on display until 1 p.m. at the Bonham Public Library.  In addition, the library’s exhibit included appliqué wall-hangings belonging local resident Jo Gilbreath, as well as a commemorative photographic transfer wall hanging celebrating the Land Commission Award, given to families who have owned land for more than 100 years.  The Creative Arts Center displayed more than 50 antique, historical and contemporary quilts, many of which were designed and created by local Fannin County residents.  Among them was House-Barns-Churches, a blue ribbon-winning piece belonging to local patternmaker, Shirley Stevenson. Others included a crazy quilt that won first prize at the 1892 Fannin County Fair and an appliquéd quilt made as the creator journeyed in a wagon train from Georgia in 1872. 

Visitors who makde a stop at all six locations had a chance to enter to win amazing prizes.  Guests picked up a “Patchwork Card” from their first location, had it punched at each stop along the way, and then dropped it off at the last location.  Everyone who visited all six quilt displays were eligible for quilt-related prizes, including prizes donated by Pass Time Fabrics in Gainesville, Blue Ribbon Quilt Shop in Wylie, and Hearts-N-Twined Quilt Shop in Durant, OK. 

In addition to the number of quilt exhibitions around town, Quilt Hop guests could shop for all their quilt-related needs at the Bonham Civic Center (Old Armory).  A variety of vendors offering quilts, table runners, fabric, quilting supplies, T-shirts, fabric transfers, quilting machines and template systems as well as blade sharpening and quilt appraisals were on location all day Saturday.  There were also quilt-themed demonstrations beginning at 9:30 and continuing throughout the day, as well as concession by the Powder Creek Playground.