| by Shirley Bertolino
The Master Quilter Program was created early in the formative years of NQA to showcase the exemplary work of quilt makers who have reached a consummate, supremely accomplished level of quilt-making skills. This is an original, one of a kind program and is an integral part of NQA. Past coordinators of the program - Jeannie Spears, Judy Elwood, Ethel Howery, Klaudeen Hansen, Carol Butzke, and Lovell Symons, among others - promoted the search for splendid quilts with vigorous enthusiasm through many avenues. Today, the search continues. Any quilter, member or non-member of NQA, can weigh her or his quilt on a scale of excellence and submit a request for more information about the program. All NQA certified judges are scouting for these outstanding quilts while they are professionally fulfilling judging duties at various venues around the country. They will be submitting nominations to the Master Quilter Program coordinator.
The search, ongoing for 30 years, has amassed a total of seventeen quilters who have made masterpiece quilts. Does amassed sound like the right verb? With the plethora of amazing quilts on the covers of national magazines, winning ribbons, and being purchased for museum collections, perhaps "trickle" (to flow slowly in a thin stream) would be a more descriptive word for the rate of nominating quilts for masterpiece evaluation.
I am beginning a term as Master Quilter Program Coordinator and prompt all state quilting guilds, regional show sponsors (whether profit or non-profit entities), and teachers out and about on the national circuit to carry the message about the potential acclamation that could come to these deserving quiltmakers.
For more information about the Master Quilter Program, write to:
The National Quilting Association
P.O. Box 12190
Columbus, Ohio 43212-0190
or email nqaquilts@sbcglobal.net.
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