The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service launched a quilt block challenge in the summer of 2014 as a way of engaging residents in its year-long, statewide centennial anniversary celebration. Participants were not only competing for cash prizes and recognition in a variety of categories, but also selected entries would be included in a special commemorative quilt.

The challenge attracted 152 high quality quilt blocks crafted by seamstresses representing 48 Oklahoma counties as well as Texas and Missouri. From these entries, 42 colorful blocks were chosen to create the beautiful centennial quilt.

Former 4-Her Charlotte Tucker, who lives near Fairview, Oklahoma, was the quilter on the project. To give the quilt a truly custom look and feel, she added unique finishing touches such as intricate stitching to bring out the beauty of each block.

The back of Extension’s centennial quilt recognizes the occasion, history and purpose of the commemorative project as well as acknowledges Tucker. Also, the names and tenures of every Extension director through its 100-year history are monogrammed on the back of the quilt along with a patch with the agency’s logo.

Since its debut in the fall of 2014, the stunning quilt has appeared in the Oklahoma State University Homecoming Sea of Orange Parade and at other venues across the state. It also was featured on the OSU Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources’ 2014 holiday greeting card.

Special thanks and appreciation for their time, talent and resources go to Extension’s Janna Kelley (Pontotoc County), Cindy Conner (Northwest District), Rhonda DeVor (Woodward County), Recia Garcia (centennial celebration co-chair), Ranel Lasley (Caddo County), Jessica Nickels (Garfield County) and R-5 Custom Embroidery of Woodward, Oklahoma. Other committee members include Cathy James (Logan County), Lynda Latta (Ellis County) and Brenda Miller (Northeast District).

The centennial quilt will tour the state through 2017 before going on permanent display in a location yet to be determined.

Fun facts

•  The dimensions of the centennial quilt are 118 inches by 89 inches.
•  More than 22 different fabrics were used to create the sampler style quilt.
• Charlotte Tucker quilted the centennial quilt using a freehand long-arm sewing machine.
• The quilt block challenge drew participants ranging in age from 12-year-old Kaylee Rolph to 94-year-old Marie Davis, who entered a hand-pieced block into the contest but frequently sews on a machine one year older than she. Both Rolph and Davis reside in Washington County.
• Entry fees for the quilt block challenge raised $2,660 for the 4-H Advanced FCS Scholarship. Quilt blocks that were not incorporated into the quilt will be used in future fund-raisers for the scholarship fund.