BY DANI TIETZ
dani@sjodaily.com
Mothers show love in many different forms.
Fithian’s Kim Marsh will always cherish the quilts her mother gave her, and will hold them as a reminder of her mother’s love.
Holding her mother’s memory near, Marsh is ready to share her mother’s passion for fabric with East Central Illinois as she hosts the Kathy Lawhead Estate Fabric, Sewing and Craft Sale on Oct. 19 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Oct. 20 (noon to 4 p.m.) at the Fithian Community Building, located at 201 Main Street.
Marsh said that her mother learned how to sew as a child out of necessity. As an adult, she was able to make curtains, stockings; appliquéd shirts, doll clothing, costumes, dresses and quilts.
“She could make anything with, and sometimes without, a pattern,” Marsh said.
The hunt for the next sewing project or country and primitive pattern was something Lawhead loved to do.
“She created beautiful quilts in many sizes, but loved to quilt tabletop sizes and lap quilt sizes.
“I have many quilts that she’s made me over the years and I cherish each one. I display them as wall hangings, on my tabletop, and on my bed … anywhere I can.”
The estate sale is Marsh’s way of helping the sewing community remember her mom.
The estate sale will feature already measured yardage, scrap pieces, patterns, books and notions, along with other sewing items.
“She would appreciate passing along her quilt shop quality (such as Moda and Debbie Mumm) fabrics, books, patterns to others that enjoy it as much as she did,” Marsh said.
And to Marsh, it is nice to know that her community will step up and support her in her time of need. The Fithian Women’s Club will provide light refreshments, and she is able to host the event at the community center, even though her mom did not live in town.
“It means a lot to me that many of my friends have helped me to put together this sale,” Marsh said.
