Joan Thornbury has been involved with different forms of needle arts since she was 8 years old.
“When I was a child, a woman in my neighborhood invited one of my girlfriends and me to her home frequently and taught us embroidery, knitting and crocheting,” said Thornbury. “Also, women in my family were creative and did needle arts, so I was surrounded by it growing up.”
For more than 20 years, she had a cross-stitch pattern business but has spent the past decade quilting both traditional patterns as well as more contemporary designs.
Thornbury enjoys quilting realistic images, too. In 2000, she designed “The Chattanooga Quilt,” representing 16 important business and landmarks in the Chattanooga area. It was auctioned during a fundraiser for Family and Children’s Services of Chattanooga (now Partnership for Families, Children and Adults).
Familiar with Thornbury’s skills and generosity, Karen Murphy, a board member of the Houston Museum, asked her to design a quilt for the museum’s 50th anniversary. The quilt will be auctioned during a special, celebratory open house on March 5.
To get inspiration and ideas for the design, Thornbury took photographs of the windows that showcase objects from the museum’s collection. She also looked through a book about the Houston and its history.
“I felt that a window displaying various glass and ceramic items would be representative of the museum,” she said.
The completed pieced and appliquéd quilt depicts a window with various pitchers, a cameo glass bowl, a butterfly-handled teapot, teacups, a candy dish and a glass lamp. Approximately 4- by 5-feet, the quilt, which can also be used as a wallhanging is constructed of 100 percent cotton fabrics in a variety of colors and patterns.
Thornbury said she spent about a week deciding on the design and another three weeks piecing and appliquéing. Sherry Meyer completed the quilting process. Amy Frierson, Houston’s director, burst into tears when she saw the finished quilt.
“I was so overcome with emotion at what she created,” she said. “All of us at the Houston are so appreciative of Joan’s 50th anniversary gift of a stunning quilt that so amazingly captures the beauty and essence of the museum.”
The quilt is on display at the Houston, and bids will be accepted through the open house on March 5. It will be a focal point at the Houston’s antiques show on Feb. 24-27, and bids can be placed there, too.
The museum, 201 High St., is open 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment on Saturday and Sunday. Call 267-7176.
E-mail Ann Nichols at annsnichols@aol.com
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