Quilting queen plans to show off handiwork

Nancy Catherine Crocker worked all day on her first quilt with her mother and sister when she was a child.

Her mother hung it up and realized that Crocker had backstitched her section. The next day, Crocker had to pull out all her stitches and start again, but since then she has made more than 100 quilts correctly and she will be honored with a one-woman quilt show Saturday.

Crocker makes quilts, afghans and crocheted work for family and friends. Her home in Lincoln is decorated with crochet pieces on her furniture, tables and chairs.

“I crochet for relaxation,” Crocker said.

Crocker retired from the Lincoln post office in 1986 and began quilting for family members. She has five children, 13 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren with two on the way.

Several of her grandchildren get quilts or afghans when they graduate high school.

Her daughter, Rose Blankenship, of Versailles, thinks it is amazing that Crocker has been making the quilts her whole life.

“She’s a talented lady,” Blankenship said.

She has competed in the Missouri State Fair and the Cole Camp Fair where she has won numerous best of show awards.

Crocker is a member of the Spoonbill Quilters club in Warsaw. She has also worked with Meals on Wheels, been a member of the Red Hat Society, volunteered with the Christian Outreach, the Ladies Aid group of Brauersville Immanuel Lutheran Church and made quilts for the Lutheran World Relief project that were sent all over the world to help others.

“I’ve done lots of things. It’s been a busy life,” Crocker said.

Crocker and her family will display more than 50 quilts during her one-woman quilt show sponsored by the Spoonbill Quilters guild and the Corps of Engineers from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at the Visitor’s Center at Truman Dam in Warsaw.

Bed showings will be at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

A quilt with a picture of The Lord’s Supper will be on display and one of Crocker’s favorite quilts, a lavender and purple appliqué quilt bound by prairie points will also be shown.

“It’s getting exciting,” Crocker said about the show.

Blankenship said she has never heard of a one-woman quilt show before and she is excited to be helping show her mother’s work.

“We’re starting something,” Crocker said.

The show will also feature afghans that Crocker began in 1975.

“If anyone likes quilts, I’m sure they are going to enjoy this,” Crocker said.

The event is free to attend.