QUILTER'S GUILD WILL HOLD SILENT AUCTION SEPT. 26, 27

Quilting isn't just another art form or hobby for members of the River Heritage Quilter's Guild. It's also a way for them to help a worthy cause.

A silent auction to benefit breast cancer awareness is planned during the guild's second juried Quilt Show. The show will be held Sept. 26 and 27 at Centenary United Methodist Church Family Life Center, 300 N. Ellis. Admission is $3. The show will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 26 and from noon to 4 Sept. 27.

Members of the guild have donated miniature quilts to be auctioned. Quilting is often thought of as a women's hobby, and because breast cancer affects women it seemed appropriate for the quilters to support and encourage awareness, said Mary Lou McNair, publicity director for the show. Minimum bids for the auction are $5.

Other miniature quilts will be exhibited at West Park Mall as part of a nationwide traveling exhibit sponsored by Keepsake Quilter's. The exhibit includes quilts based on a challenge set up by the sponsor Bernatex Inc.

Madeline Geiselman and Judy Robinson, members of the local quilting group, have miniatures entered in the exhibit. Both used a tulip designs in their quilts because they were the predominant flower in the selected material.

Robinson has had six quilts entered in traveling displays. "The hardest part is getting the idea and selecting the technique I want to use to get an effect," she said.

Because 50 percent of the quilt comes from a selected fabric collection, Robinson complemented her work with other hand-dyed fabrics.

The quilt is titled "Tiptoe through the Tulips." Robinson often selects her titles based on song titles. "Sometimes they are hard to name," she said. If a name doesn't come while she's working on the quilt, she will select one after browsing through song books.

Robinson also has five quilts entered in the juried show.

Categories for the show are miniature, pieced, applique, group, other techniques, wall hanging and theme wall hanging. The show's theme is "Stars."

Hazel Canny of Houston, Texas, will be the celebrity quilter for the show. She has won several awards for her quilts, which feature the white-on-white technique.

Quilt appraisals can be scheduled with Thelma Stone, a certified appraiser, by calling 651-0780. Appraisal fees are $25.