Two quilt contests that celebrate Iowa State University's 150th anniversary are part of the Iowa State Fair (Aug. 9-19. 2008) in Des Moines. All quilts in the contest are on display on the second floor of the Varied Industries Building.

A quilt created by Sharon WASTENEY of Ellston, Iowa, earned first place (and $150) in the Iowa State University quilt category. The quilt also earned the prestigious President's Award. The award, which includes $75, goes to the state fair board president's favorite among all the entries in the fabric and threads division.

Numerous quilters submitted individual quilt squares for the ISU sesquicentennial block quilt contest. Thirty-five blocks were selected and sewn together to construct the Iowa State University Sesquicentennial Block Quilt.

Iowa State alumnus Lyle CAMPBELL, Paradise Valley, Ariz., purchased the quilt in an Aug. 19 auction at the fairgrounds. Proceeds from the sale were donated to the State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation for fairgrounds restoration.

State fair fabrics and threads division superintendent Dorothy FAIDLEY, Colfax, supervised construction of the block contest quilt.

SOURCE:  www.public.iastate.edu/~isu150/07/quiltsB.shtml