Local quilter Betty Mathews will discuss the history of quilts and display her own handiwork at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at the Allen Public Library.  

After the crusades of the Middle Ages, the returning European soldiers returned from the Middle East with quilted vests. These inspired the creation of quilted blankets, a craft that spread across the continent. Soon, these became household necessities and were later carried by the colonists emigrating to the Americas.  

Among the patterns that will be featured this evening will be the log cabin, tumbler, bears paw, star, and maple leaf, as well as samplers. 

 Her on point ocean waves quilt, a community effort, will also be on display. Originally pieced by Mary Alice Southard Bruce in the 1940s, a family member of Betty’s. Sadly, she died before completing it.  The piecing was finished in the 1950s by another family member, Bernard Bruce.  It was then hand quilted by members of the First United Methodist Church in Fenton, Missouri.  An example of Betty Matthews’s original work is the Pin Wheel Pattern, crafted around 1990.  For this she utilized what is known as the “Stack and Whack” technique, creating interesting designs.  

Prior to retiring, Betty taught sixth grade for four new Allen Independent School District schools as well as serve as Ford Middle School’s librarian. 

In addition to sewing dresses for a mission in Honduras, Betty is a member of the Scarlett O’Hatters and Allen Retired Teachers Association. She also assists with the distribution of 11,000 Christmas stockings to American military members around the world, packs boxes full of snacks and goodies in May for troops and sews Quilts of Valor for military veterans. 

Call 214-509-4911 for more information.