The uniqueness of this display of quilts comes from its creation. Merlyn Beckler of Tipton has hand embroidered each and every one of the squares within this display and as one visitor was overheard to remark, "The craftsman ship is phenomenal, it puts my simple needle work to shame! And to think someone had this much patience is amazing!"
For those who have witnessed the display firsthand, her comment was right on the mark, from the intricate details on a block showcasing a spider, to the personality embroidered in the eyes of a baboon, and of course to the breathtaking Stag that is Merlyn's crowning glory, the display is filled with items that will make an impact upon visitors, perhaps because of the fine needlework and perhaps because of the subject chosen.
Discovering Beckler has been embroidering since he was a young boy of the age of 7 he stated, "I remember sitting around the kitchen table after dinner with my six sisters as they embroidered. And because they were doing it and it was something to pass the time, I took up embroidery as well."
Keeping this in mind, one can easily see how Beckler has fine-tuned his craft throughout the years. Though he admitted he did quilt a couple quilts himself early on, he later turned the quilting part of the project to his sister Verna Beckler Kuhns of Wellman. When his sister passed away, her daughter Juanita took up the needle and now serves as Merlyn's official quilter. Juanita also pointed out, "I have had help on various occasions with the quilts from Laurene Carter and Margaret Hazelton, Merlyn's sisters."
Discussing the time needed to quilt the average size quilt, taking into consideration the pattern and intricacies involved, Juanita stated, "It takes me about three weeks to finish a quilt, four hours in the morning, four hours in the afternoon and four hours in the evening, give and take." That adds up to an astounding 252+ hours of work on one quilt.
When pressed to name her favorite quilt in the display Juanita admitted, "The one with a lavender background and all the flowers on the blocks is my favorite. I added the flowered border to offset the blocks and make it larger and quilted it as well."
With fifteen of his quilts on display, (and another redwork piece owned by the museum and made by members of the Iowa, Illinois Quilt Study Group) there is a wide array of personalities and stories attached to each quilt, each which causes the viewer to have a better understanding of the inspiration of each individual quilts.
The smallest quilt on display within the museum is one featured with Walt's favorite characters which was a gift to Margaret Hazelton. It is a step back to ones childhood to experience and the fine stitches in Goofy alone are unbelievable. Also on display is a singular block that has been framed of Beckler's late friend "Bubba". The dog was a companion to Beckler for many years and has been immortalized in an amazing display of workmanship which is both eye catching and touching in Beckler's devotion and love for his late family pet.
Beckler also has on display a quilt which celebrates his family history, honoring his 40th wedding anniversary. This quilt is definitely a piece of Beckler heritage and is owned by his oldest Grandson, Aaron.
Beckler's masterpiece quilt prominently displays a proud stag in the middle of the quilt. This quilt was made as a reminder of the Beckler home on a bluff above the Cedar River and the various parts of nature that surround their home.
To choose a favorite of my own would prove hard as I appreciate all the work and devotion put within each of these pieces. The array of creatures on the quilts is amazing and I invite visitors to view the display and find for themselves the baboon, red parrot, snake, peacock, monarch butterfly, Eagle, and basket of lavender flowers. Although the entire exhibit is breathtaking, these blocks in particular caught my eye, causing me to pause and study them a bit longer.
Simply said, this is an exhibit that is by far one of the most creative, colorful and interesting displays within the English Quilt Gallery. Find time to stop and see the workmanship yourself. Photos are nice, but they do not and cannot capture the true essence nor the devotion Beckler and Seward have put within this dazzling display of quilts.
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