Three Sisters Celebrate 20 Years of Quilting Surprises

“It is always a surprise to see how different or how alike the quilts are,” said Delta Budt, who with her sisters, Linda Hug and Donna Budt, celebrated the 20th anniversary of their Quilt Display at the Johnson Legion Hall on Saturday, June 27, with family and friends in attendance. The Quilting Sisters open house had over 80 quilts on display. Each of the three Quilting Sisters created over 20 quilts. Previous quilt reveals have taken place in Montana, Yellowstone National Park and Gordon and Delta Budt's home near Cook.
The quilting project started in 2006 when the three sisters, Linda of Auburn, Delta of Cook and Donna of Lincoln, were shopping together in a quilt shop. Linda selected a pattern for a quilt and suggested that all three of them should make a quilt from that same pattern. The three sisters agreed and the quilting venture began.
Although all three sisters were skilled seamstresses, making their own clothing for their family and themselves, quilting was something new. Every year since, one of the three sisters is privileged with choosing the quilt pattern for the following year's quilt reveal. Delta said it takes about three months to complete one quilt.
The three sisters laid down some ground rules for their quilting projects. 1) Each sister selects her own fabric for the quilt. 2) The sisters cannot show each other the quilts they are making. 3) The sisters cannot discuss the colors of their quilts. The quilt has to be done within the year. When the sisters are all together, a quilt reveal is held, usually during the month of July, with family members in attendance.
“We are allowed to call each other to discuss our progress, frustrations, etc., but we must never tell details about the quilt!” said Delta.
The first year, the sisters used the same pattern to create their own table runners. Since then the three sisters have made a variety of quilts for their own family members to cherish in addition to quilting coasters, potholders or lap robes and other items to give to each other as gifts during the annual quilt reveal.
The Quilting Sisters like to support independently owned quilts shops in Nebraska. The sisters are also members of the Nebraska Heritage Quilting Guild.
Delta enjoys rotating the quilts she's made throughout her home in recognition of the seasons of the year. Donna likes displaying her quilts as wall-hangings in her home.
“It's fun when you see the expressions of awe on the faces of your family members and friends and they say to you, “Wow! How did you do that?”
The use of different colors and fabric makes each quilt unique, even though the same pattern is used by all three sisters. All three sisters agreed that the Double Shot Star pattern was the most challenging to quilt so far.
The sisters have seen some changes in quilting since they started 20 years ago. “The colors are brighter and there are more choices in fabrics,” said Delta.
“The techniques are easier,” said Linda.
“Now a person just has to use a ruler,” Delta added.
The sisters enjoy going on quilting retreats to learn new techniques and trends in quilt-making.
This year’s quilt reveal included giving two Quilts of Valor to family members. Delta was honored to complete a Quilt of Valor for her son, Jon Budt, as a member of the Blue Star Mothers, Chapter #1 of Nebraska City. “It gives you a different feeling knowing you're sewing a quilt for a special family member in honor of their military service,” said Delta.
Linda said she wanted to make a Quilt of Valor for her brother-in-law Clarence (Butch) Hug because she felt he deserved one to recognize his military service.