The two day sale began with a Friday evening meal that has started to look somewhat traditional to us by now - smoked pork loin.  It was followed by entertainment by Chris Regier and a short auction to wet appetites for the major auction held on Saturday.

The sale began at 7:30AM with a pancake and sausage breakfast and the other sale booths opened at 8:00AM.  The morning auction started with crafts and some miscellaneous items, allowing those who hadn't had an opportunity to examine 412 items that made up the Quilt and Textile Auction and the bargains that made up the Quilter's Corner.  The Quilt Auction began at 9AM.

Although busy with all the last minute tasks that a quilt committee handles, Susan Shantz and Anita Anderson spent a few minutes hearing about our research.  Carol Detweiller is the third member of the committee.  They agreed to support it by sending out surveys  to quilters for the sale, so we are very happy to have their voices join our current participants.

There were about 32 twin - king size pieced and quilted quilts - a few items joined the auction after the quilt books had been printed so I may be off by a quilt or two.  4 of those were donated by the MCC quilting room and 6 were made by Amish women in the area. 

Feathered Star Medallion made by Old Order Amish Women

The highest quilt bid was $2900 and was a Log Cabin Round-De-Lay pattern done in reds, blues and tan.  It was made by Old Order Amish women in Chouteau.  This quilt was also voted as the People's Choice Quilt in a ballot vote of those viewing the quilts on Friday.  This is not something we have encountered before and was being tried to the first year this year.  It appears to be an interesting way of handling the potentially negative aspects of having of a "featured" quilt commissioned or chosen before the sale by committee.  The second highest quilt went for $2100 and was made by the Clarita Amish Church women.

There were also many other full-size preprinted quilts and comforters, baby quilts and wall hangings sold at the auction.  It was very helpful to have Susan Shantz introducing each quilt to the crowd - not only did it give us additional information it allowed a person of knowledge to set the tone for its sale.  The quilt above - Grandmother's Fan - was made by Mary Kliewer and quilted by WMS Ladies, Fairview.

Research questions for consideration & discussion under "Discussion": 

1) What are good ways to handle the idea of a "featured" quilt without dampening competition or hurting feelings?

To participate in the discussion of this and other questions click discussion.

The Hired Man's Quilt made another appearance at this sale as it has at around 20 sales already.  It was made of donated fabric in Ephrata, PA.