For many a family in southwest Missouri, quilts were something from the “use it up and make do” form of living in the 19th Century and early years of the 20th Century.

Women used the scraps leftover from making the family clothes or took the good pieces from a piece of worn clothing to make a quilt.

The quilts seemed more utilitarian in nature for many, rather than of the decorative nature of many of the quilts today, many of which resemble paintings more than bedding.

Members of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) celebrated (for the fourth year) the work done by many women past and present in making quilts.

The May 29 Heavenly Quilts show at the church featured over 100 quilts. Pastor Charles Bahn noted the totals each year have been around the 100 mark--with no duplicates.

Many of the quilts were carefully hung for display for the two-day show. Some were used for “bed turnings,” a time when some of the experts present could tell the name of the design, the type of fabric used, estimate the time the quilt was made, etc.

The experts offering quilting information included Carrie Hung of Aurora and Dee Steffens of Battlefied.

The bed used in the turning was an antique, high-from-the-floor variety that was originally a rope bed, evidenced by the symmetrical holes in the boards at both ends of the bed. Those present surmised it might have included a trundle bed underneath when it was new.

Sizes of the items on display ranged from quilts to cover kingsize beds to items measuring less than one-foot square.

Some of the quilts were hand quilted by artisans using numerous stitches to the inch, while some were of the yarn-tied variety.

The linens were hanging around the sanctuary, in anterooms and in the basement fellowship hall -- anywhere space was available. Some were made by family members in days gone by, while some of the quilters reside in the area today.