Betty Hagerman Memorial Quilt
Betty Hagerman, perhaps the Quilting queen of Baldwin City, the official Quilt Capitol of Kansas, was a resident of Vinland, an avid quilter, occasional newspaper columnist for The Baldwin Ledger and author of The Meeting of the Sunbonnet Children. She frequently traveled to quilt shows throughout the U.S. and conducted a lively written correspondence with many women. In today’s lingo, she was trending. After she passed away in 1986, her friend and fellow quilter, Doris Miller, asked women to contribute quilt blocks in her memory. The blocks poured in from Oregon to Virginia and North Dakota to Mississippi and everywhere between. Hues of purple and the Sunbonnet Sue pattern dominated as they were widely known to be Betty’s favorite.
With the blocks came letters and little notes. Direct or elegant cursive sentences told the story of a woman who had touched hundreds of lives, leaving a benevolent imprint. “I remember Betty as one I met through the mails when she started her Sun Bonnet book,” wrote Donna Rabe from Idaho Falls, Idaho. “She drove all the way from Baldwin City in October of 1981 to Lincoln, Nebraska, just to meet me while I was there. I shall never forget the day and the fun time we had.” Shirley Hedman of Schenectady, New York, remembered Betty’s sense of humor in her letter. “I wanted to make this ‘Hosanna’ block for Betty, but I had more trouble doing it than usual- why, I can’t imagine, but I thought Betty must be laughing watching me struggle!” Ruth Janesick from Cary, North Carolina, summarized Betty’s influence and character in two sentences. “She never failed to answer questions, pass out advice or comment (in her own style) on quilting trivia. I admired her spirit and straightforward approach in dealing with issues she viewed as critical.”
The women’s letters also included snippets revealing the detail and thoughtfulness put into each block. Viola Keck, a Swedish immigrant in Texas, explained about her Sunbonnet Sue block, “The print fabric in the dress is from Sweden and a little unusual.”
“Even with impaired eyesight, I can see to sew a little. Betty knew my fondness for star patterns, and I thought I could make one last star for Betty…” wrote Lucyle Jewett of Halstead, Kansas, 86 years old. “Betty often kidded me about not getting much done in the quilting world – except liking it – collecting and having a lot to talk and write about. So, she would be pleased to see I got a block finished…” – Barbara Hedman, Omaha, Nebraska. “This Lonestar in purple and lavender is one Betty wanted to make but didn’t have time.” – Donna Rae Maki, Holt, Michigan. “I have left extra seam allowance so it can be cut exact. Nothing is worse than trying to extend a little seam allowance.” – Grace Voigt, Bonner Springs, Kansas.
Doris Miller assembled the blocks into three different quilts and hand quilted each one. She originally intended to house them in a quilt museum, but a house fire and other circumstances terminated those plans. Before retiring to Colorado, Doris left the quilts with Sharon Vesecky, owner of Quilter’s Paradise. The quilt found a permanent home in October 2021 inside the Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce.
Quilting began its existence as a necessity, a practical and prudent use of fabric bits and pieces. Once commercially manufactured blankets became widely available, it lost its popularity. “There weas a time when quilting was all but dead,” says Sharon Vesecky, owner of Quilter’s Paradise. It never completely perished however and has experienced a vibrant renaissance within the last few decades. Quilting is an art in the same way as painting or woodcarving or dance. Many choose quilting for its link to their heritage and the generations past. Others, like Sharon, quilt because they are messy painters. Why is it important to keep quilting alive? “Why would you keep painting alive?” Sharon’s expression is earnest. “It’s for the same reason. People need the exposure to color and artistic shapes and they need the satisfaction of accomplishing something.”
Without an interest from younger generations, no thing will thrive. Inviting younger people into the quilting world, whether as a quilter or a quilt connoisseur, is imperative and the most effective way is to make it an interactive interest. “I have a lot of customers who are quilting with their grandchildren,” Sharon says. “It’s an activity they can share with them.” Both of Sharon’s daughters and all her granddaughters know how to quilt. One of her grandsons made a quilt when he was young which won a purple ribbon in the Kansas State Fair. Sharon’s experience quilting with him was a unique one. She was called away to help a customer the first time he visited her shop to sew. Upon returning, she found her machine completely disassembled and her grandson attentively cleaning it. “I didn’t know if I could get it back together if he couldn’t,” Sharon says, the ghost of a smile twinkling in her eyes. She maintained her composure and watched as he successfully reinstated it to its proper order. From then on, thoroughly cleaning the machine was always his first step before sewing.
Without quilting, Betty Hagerman would still have connected with people. It was her nature. It’s not, however, an anomaly that the quilting world was her platform. Quilting links people, eras and cultures together in a unique way. This attribute and many others are reason enough to support and encourage the skill of quilting and preserve its history. The Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce is honored and delighted to take part in that. They encourage any who are interested to visit the Chamber at 719 High Street, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and see the Betty Hagerman Memorial Quilt for yourself!