CULT OF QUILTS

PADUCAH -- They live among us. You can often spot them by the quality of their clothes. Primarily female, they wear hand-embroidered blouses, patchwork vests and carry canvas bags full of patterned swatches.

Each year a massive cult of fabric worshipers invades Paducah. But then, they don't call it "Quilt City, USA" for nothing.

This week, quilting enthusiasts have filled hotel rooms in Paducah and spilled over into towns throughout Southern Illinois and Southeast Missouri as more than 35,000 crowd into the region to attend events at the 16th annual American Quilter's Society show.

The Paducah quilt show is one of the largest in the United States, with more than 400 quilts on display for competition and more than $100,000 -- the largest purse in the world -- awarded to quilters from all over the U.S. The grand prize winner will receive $18,000.

Among the competing quilts are two from Cape Girardeau, including one that absorbed the efforts of 41 members of the River Heritage Quilters Guild for about a year.

The quilt marked the 125th anniversary of Southeast Missouri State University and was presented to the university in a special ceremony in April, 1999.

A year before that, university representatives asked the guild to take on the project. Designed by Judy Robinson, of Cape Girardeau and Mary K. Reed, of Jonesboro, Ill., the result is a visual history of the university depicted in cool shades of blue and purple.

It is the first "guild quilt" to be accepted for the Paducah show.

Merle Deneke, president of the River Heritage Guild and one of the artists who worked on the quilt, said "I'm really very proud that it got entered. I was proud to be involved in this project. It is a very beautiful quilt."

The centerpiece of the quilt illustrates the domed Academic Hall and 14 surrounding blocks represent other campus buildings, including the original Normal School. An appliqud border frames the entire quilt which measures about 8 by 10 1/2 feet.

Lynne Taylor began quilting 12 years ago while she was working on a degree in art at Southeast Missouri State University. Her first quilting experience came when she put together a series of wall hangings for her master's thesis.

Now a teacher at Scott City Elementary School, she has an entry of her own on display at the Paducah quilt show.

Made up of 496 pieces, the miniature wall hanging has a red and green Christmas theme. Four star-shaped Santas on a background of blue make up the center and are surrounded by evergreens.

Deneke said she attends the Paducah show each year and plans to attend some of the seminars offered.

Another guild member who worked on the SEMO quilt, Jewell Eggley will also make the pilgrimage.

"My daughter and I always make a day of it," she said. Eggley said she's proud to have taught both daughters the art of quilting. "Both my daughters love it, and it's time I enjoy sharing with them," she said.

IF YOU GO

* The 16th annual American Quilter's Society Show and Contest opens at 9 a.m. today, closing at 6 p.m., continuing from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

* Between 35,000 and 40,000 quilting enthusiasts from across the country and around the world are expected in Paducah this weekend. Crowds are largest on Friday and Saturday.

* The National Quilt Museum, located at 215 Jefferson Street, has special displays in conjunction with the quilt show and is just two blocks from the Executive Inn. Open year-round from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, admission is $5. Season passes are available for an additional $10.

* Paducah is about 75 miles from Cape Girardeau. Take Highway 3 south in Illinois through Cairo to Wickliffe, Ky. Highway 60 east leads to Paducah and the Executive Inn.