PICKENS — A new quilt has been added to the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail, commemorating the area’s connection and historical ties to railroads.

The Doodle Quilt is going to be placed at the head of the trail in Pickens on one of the railroad cars in the soon to be developed Doodle Park, said Cindy Blair of the UHQT.

A similar quilt — also done in a railroad crossing style — is being designed for the Easley end of the trail, she said.

“This quilt was made by Lucy Harward from the Pickens Community Center and myself,” said Blair. “Although I didn’t do much, I pretty much just handed her pins.”

There is an original quilt for every one of the painted blocks to honor the quilters who work so hard and keep that tradition alive in the South, she said.

“The rich tradition of quilting in the Appalachian area is something that we want to keep alive,” said Blair.

According to Blair, the Quilt Trail began in 2009 in Oconee County.

“We painted a Goose in the Pond quilt for our first studio in Walhalla and it had since grown to 201 quilts,” she said. “We’re really excited about that.”

The idea for the Quilt Trail itself began in Adams County, Ohio in 2001 with Donna Sue Groves, a Field Representative with the Ohio Arts Council, when she decorated her family barn with a quilt square pattern from one of her mother’s quilts.

“It grew to over 20 quilt panels in Adams County, Ohio and now quilt panels can be found in every state and many states have several local trails participating in this wonderful movement,” states the UHQT website. “Oconee County was the first county in South Carolina to embrace the Quilt Trail concept. They added their own special features to the model by extending the Quilt Trail to homes, historic buildings, parks, schools and businesses that want to participate.”

The site states that Anderson and Pickens Counties joined the effort soon after.

The UHQT is a community based project that involves individuals of all ages and from all walks of life.

“We just opened a new studio at the Holly Springs Center that used to be Holly Springs Elementary School,” said Blair. “And we would like to welcome any of you to come up and see us. We have lots of quilts to do for Pickens County.”

The Doodle Quilt is going to be placed at the head of the trail in Pickens on one of the railroad cars in the soon to be developed Doodle Park, said Cindy Blair of the UHQT.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_130.jpgThe Doodle Quilt is going to be placed at the head of the trail in Pickens on one of the railroad cars in the soon to be developed Doodle Park, said Cindy Blair of the UHQT. Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress

A new quilt has been added to the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail, commemorating the area’s connection and historical ties to railroads.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_131.jpgA new quilt has been added to the Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail, commemorating the area’s connection and historical ties to railroads. Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress

By Kasie Strickland

kstrickland@championcarolinas.com

Reach Kasie Strickland at 864-855-0355.