Nancy Philpot chosen as featured quilter for this weekend’s Ouachita Quilt Show

Submitted by Joyce Sanden

The Ouachita Quilt Show committee selected Nancy Philpot as the featured quilter for the upcoming quilt show. Several of Philpot’s quilts, along with her journals and book of quilts, will be on display at the Nov. 4-5 quilt show at the Polk County Fairgrounds. One of Philpot’s quilts won the People’s Choice award at last year’s quilt show.

Philpot began quilting in 1996. After she and husband Lawrence (Larry) Philpot retired to Mena that year, she found an invitation to Quilt ‘n Chat in Pine Ridge from May Dell Sykes offered a way to make new friends. She learned to hand quilt and worked on others’ quilts for a couple of years. 

It was only because of the group’s encouragement and mentorship that she bought her first fabric (in 2000) and started on her first quilt. 

Janet Pratt helped Philpot learn applique for the first block which was used as the medallion of the quilt. That first quilt also included foundation paper piecing and regular block construction techniques, all of which set the stage for her quilting career.

Philpot believes applique makes quilts special when added to borders.  Her favorite fabrics are civil war reproduction and French country, and she prefers the “old fashioned” patterns.

Philpot is a long-time member of the Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild. The guild meets monthly in the education building of the Polk County Extension office at 211 Dequeen St. in Mena. 

Besides preparing for the upcoming Ouachita Quilt Show, the guild is participating in a mystery row quilt with the intention of teaching/learning new techniques over 12 months. Philpot provided the instruction for freezer paper applique. All quilters are welcome to join Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild.

Philpot was instrumental in establishing the Material Girls quilt show fabric booth last year after a retiring quilter donated her fabric stash to sell for charitable purposes. Another family donated quilt fabric after their quilter passed earlier this year.

Quality quilt fabric is priced at only $5 per yard with proceeds supporting the Acts of Love Food Pantry, school backpack programs, and other local needs as determined by the OQS committee.

To see Philpot, about 100 other local quilts, and shop at Material Girls, go to the show Nov. 4-5, 2022, for the 40th Ouachita Quilt Show.

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Ethan Nahté

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