2024 FOQ Featured Quilter Announced It was announced recently that Linda Andersen of Lakeside, Nebraska has been chosen to be the Featured Quilter for the 2024 Chadron Festival of Quilts. Linda is a lifelong resident of Sheridan County. She lives on a ranch and has basically retired from ranch life due to some past health issues. Those health issues never dampened her passion for quilting, however.

 

Linda began her sewing career like most young ladies living in a rural setting. Involvement in 4-H at the age of 8 was her beginning. Garment sewing was the start. She also served as an adult mentor to up-and-coming 4-H sewers. She loved teaching children to sew. That continued for many years.

 

Linda attended a State Fair in 1990 and that was the beginning of her involvement in quilting. She visited a vendor’s booth where she saw the demonstration of “new-fangled tools” that captured her attention. The rotary cutter, ruler, and cutting mat that was demonstrated that day, went home with her and she made quilted Christmas Stockings for her entire family. The spark took hold and she never looked back.

 

When she was asked if she would serve as Featured Quilter, she was surprised and pleased. She said she deems it an honor to be asked to serve as a Featured Quilter. “Are you sure you are asking the right person?” We are positive, was the resounding reply.

 

Linda’s distinctive quilting style has garnered her many ribbons at Quilt Shows around Nebraska. The first thing you notice about her quilts is that they are not “cookie cutter” quilts. When she was asked about where she gets patterns, she explained that she does not use patterns. More on this topic later....

 

When asked how many quilts and related items she’s made over the years, she replied, “Oh, probably over 100” and, after reflecting, she admitted “It's probably over 200,” Her lucky family and friends have been recipients of her creations. She noted that she would need to retrieve some of those gifted quilts for her exhibit in the upcoming Festival of Quilts Show.

 

Quilts of Valor is another passion for Linda. She has been an avid supporter of QOV efforts for many years. It has been her pleasure to design and construct many quilts using blocks that were sewn by fellow Willow Tree Quilt Guild members. She willingly takes the blocks she is given and turns them into stunning quilts.

 

When asked what she enjoys most about quilting she stated that she loves all of it. From the design stage to the piecing, and putting it all together, loves it all! And yes!, even the binding. What else does she enjoy about quilting? The people and camaraderie with fellow guild members, and the Community Service projects, she loves all of it!

 

Linda is also one half of the Dynamic Duo known as “A Border Affair” with Kristi Paul. Their tips and hints on how to add borders to your quilts to make them more dynamic and interesting is well-known among Nebraska quilters. Linda was quick to point out that two other Willow Tree Quilt Guild Members, Ev Fuscher and Mary Vallette, have become involved and regularly contribute ideas and collaborate with her and Kristi to make the program fresh and more interesting.

 

And by the way, we are going to let her explain her creative process during her presentation. That will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2024. Be there! You won't want to miss it.