A unique display of miniature quilts will be at the Morrison Public Library for visitor’s enjoyment now through May 25.
The quilts were made by 92-year-old Minnie Lee Deakins, and were made available by fellow quilters Gail Norton and Billie Jean P. Summers.
Deakins is a resident of Dunlap, and she and husband, Avery, celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary in October. She has been interested in quilting for as long as she can remember, and pieced a four-patch quilt before she started school. When she was 8 years old she hand-pieced a bow tie quilt, with her mother quilting it for her.
She enjoyed a teaching career spanning 30 years, and worked many years with home demonstration clubs, the UT Extension and 4-H clubs. She volunteered with the Extension’s Heritage Skills Workshop for 20 years, with them changing the name to Quilting on the Mountain as a result of her involvement. Deakins is credited with bringing the first Mystery Quilts to Tennessee, with guilds all over making the quilts today.
Deakins became interested in miniature quilts after seeing Nancy Donahue’s booth at the National Quilt Show in Bell Buckle in 1983. She has won many blue ribbons over the years, with eight added to her collection just last year.
Wanting to share her miniature quilts with others, and her love of quilting is where the display began. It will remain at the library through May 25. The Morrison Public Library is located at 138 West Maple Street, and open 1 – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. They can be reached at 931-635-2060.
Any questions about the display can be forwarded to Summers at 615-796-0446.