Roxanne Webster poses with her Carnival Flower at the New Mexico State Fair. Courtesy photo
Roxanne Webster also took first place for the Fan Favorite Award. The award is presented at the culmination of the State Fair. Courtesy photo
By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Los Alamos
A trio of lovely ladies provided a great representation of the quilting skill set, found here in Los Alamos.
Bobbie Simpson, Claire Swinhoe, Roxanne Webster recently participated in the New Mexico State Fair.
Bobbie’s quest into quilting started with a love of sewing throughout her life. She began sewing in junior high and high school in Home Economics classes and 4-H. She completed a minor in Home Economics at New Mexico Highlands University in 1975. While working for LANL she made friends with a quilter that encouraged her to take a quilting class from Judy Verzino.
She developed a passion for cutting fabric apart and sewing it back together into quilt patterns. She has sown many quilts over the years at the Los Alamos County Fair and the New Mexico State Fair. She entered her “Patchwork Year” quilt in the Los Alamos County Fair and received a blue ribbon and “Reserve Grand Champion.” When she rounded the corner at the State Fair with her sister, “I was surprised! My sister said, ‘Look,” and there it was, hanging up with a blue ribbon and a yellow ‘Best of Show’ for embroidery.” She said that it gave her goosebumps and quietly squealed with happiness. She is happy and proud to be a part of the amazing legacy of New Mexico quilters.
Webster’s duet entry with daughter Jenny won second place in piecing for large quilts and Best of Show for machine quilting. She also took the award of First Place in the Fan Favorite voting category. “Fans were given a chance to vote for their top three favorites,” Webster said. “With all the gorgeous quilts at the State Fair, I never expected to win that one.”
Claire Swinhoe took a blue ribbon and Best of Show for a quilt entitled, “Silent Night,” all done in hand applique. The technique of hand appliqued quilts takes a long time to make, and Swinhoe had been working on her quilt for about 18 months. She finished it just in time for the state entry date. “When I found out that it had won a first place and Best in Show for Applique, I was thrilled and really surprised,” Swinhoe said. “It was a great feeling. Just lovely.”
Bobbie Simpson’s “Patchwork Year,” at the State Fair. Courtesy photo