A handmade quilt, designed similar to one quilted by Mildred Hafley Southerland Wilcher (1912-1992), will be included in the silent auction at this year’s Forkland Festival, Oct. 12 and 13.

It will be among several handmade items, baked goods and art donated to help raise money for the Forkland Community Center’s annual festival fundraiser.

“We chose this pattern for designing and creating the quilt to show how the use of quilts has changed through the years,” said Shirley Sheperson, a member of the quilt committee.

“A quilt was provided as a warm bed cover for families 78 years ago and today, a quilt is considered a fabric art form, and it is also used for warmth in the homes today as it was in the past,” she said.

In years past, Mrs. Wilcher used blue fabric and antique muslin to make the quilt. The unusual pattern chosen by Forkland Quilt Committee and former resident Mary Yoder of Hardyville, who lived in the Forkland community for several years, was modernized by using new fabric, increasing the size and adding a decorative border. Mrs.Yoder pieced and quilted the quilt.

The new quilt is made of muslin background with small print of black, white and gold that reflect the past. The quilt is king-sized — a 102-inch square.

“We have named the 2018 quilt the ‘Forkland Puzzle’ because we do not know the name of the original pattern,” said Sheperson.

The straight line pieces are like a puzzle that has been put together.

“The quilt is a unique symbol of our heritage,” she said.

The old quilt and the new one up for auction will be displayed along with the other items.

Doris Purdom and Brenda Edwards also are on the quilt committee.