Discovery Quilters Guild of Shell Knob:
An example of the quality quilting that is a product of the Discovery Quilters Guild of Shell Knob.
Celebrating 30 Years of Quilting Excellence
T
he history of quilting goes back before the birth of our country. At different points in history, quilting was more of a necessity than an art. When materials were scarce, pieces of fabric had to be pieced together to create clothing and blankets. When parts of clothing or blankets wore out, they were patched with quilting techniques. As America was settled and living conditions improved, quilters were able to be more artistic with their creations. And the art of quilting brought communities together for quilting bees where months of work on a quilt could be completed in a few days. This artistry of quilting and the community encompassing it has carried through generations. In our neck of the Ozarks, there is a group carrying on the tradition of quilting artistry and fellowship. The Discovery Quilters of Shell Knob, Missouri, began in 1992. The guild was established by Carolyn Coonrod, Dixie Adams, Marian Stoner, and Betty Hegi following a fall festival celebration and quilt show in the basement of the Shell Knob Library. They set out a sign-up sheet for anyone interested in a quilting group and gathered more than 40 women’s names. The current group of quilters includes more than 60 members under
Story by Annie Lisenby Smith
the leadership of President E.J. Adams, Vice President Karen Malnar, Secretary Teresa Howard, Treasurer Mugs Tillson, and Newsletter Editor Bettylynne Gregg. The guild is open to anyone in the area and has members travel from as far away as Warrensburg, Missouri; Winfield, Kansas; and Holiday Island, Arkansas. When discussing the goal of the group, Karen Malnar said, “The purpose of Discovery Quilters is to further the interest in quilts and the art of quilting through fellowship, education, and service. We are open to anyone interested in this purpose.”
Malnar shared that her favorite elements of this group include the education, community service, and the comradery. The Discovery Quilters also has the Threads That Bind mentorship program where more experienced quilters can share their skills with those newer to quilting. Within the Discovery Quilters guild, there are many community missions. “Every year our quilters make and donate hundreds of baby quilts to those in need,” Malner said. “We make receiving blankets, burp pads, and mom scarves.” Comfort quilts are made and given to members and friends who are ill or
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