EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Eielson families showed off their talent and craftsmanship during the arts and crafts center's first quilting contest and exposition May 9. The sponsors plan to host this event annually.
The quilts were displayed gallery-style in the old base library beneath arts & crafts, showcasing 78 local hand-made quilts. Participants were also permitted to enter family members' stitch work, or quilts given as gifts.
Mrs. Wynne has been a quilter for the past 20 years and a seamstress all her life. She has made more than 40 quilts.
She said she prefers to make traditional patterns but prefers to do something different with them.
"I am proud of the craftsmanship and privileged and honored to be a judge for this event," she said. "This contest was very well-organized, and because of the expertise of the other judges, it made it easy for me as a first-time judge."
The panel of judges will also include members of the Fairbanks community.
Prizes awarded for pieced, appliqué and mixed media and include a $100 gift certificate from Riehl's Sew and Vac, $100, $50 and $25 gift certificates from the arts & crafts center, quilting supply packages and more.
In the mixed media category, the first and third place winner was Neta Steirheim, second place winner was Janice Roll.
In the appliqué category, the first and third place winner was Victoria Rotroff, the second place winner was Chrystal Reese.
In the pieced category, the first place winner was Carol Suchland, and the second and third place winner was Neta Steirheim.