Quilts have touched

so many of our lives: Most people have at least one quilt that was made

by a family member. Many of us can remember our

mothers or grandmothers sitting around quilting.

They may not have heirlooms or antiques in their

homes, but they do love the old quilts.

After discovering Quilt Trails in the Midwest,

New England and the Southeast, the Seven Springs

Historical Society wanted to create a trail in Powder

Springs. We have painted ten quilt squares at this

time and have a waiting list for three more.

We hope you enjoy your visit to Historic Downtown

Powder Springs and the Southern Quilt Trail!

Sponsored by the City of Powder Springs

and Seven Springs Historical Society

Seven Springs Historical Society & Museum

The Trail is growing! Look for Quilt Squares in neighboring communities

as the Southern Quilt Trail expands, including these:

Hiram Buchanan

Welcome As far back as the 1830’s, there was

a settlement of people who came to

trade with Cherokee Indians. They

believed the water of the seven springs had healing

powers because of the bitter taste. First chartered in

1838 as Springfield, the town was chartered again

in 1859 as Powder Springs. Most of the buildings

were here by, or shortly after, the turn of the century.

The Country Store of Seven Springs was built in the

1850’s and is on the National Register of Historic

Places. Downtown Powder Springs is attractive,

compact, safe and very pedestrian friendly. There is

ample parking within a very easy walking distance

to our charming and unique stores.

Powder Springs boasts a variety of dining

options including an exquisite tea room, Tea At

Seven Springs, and the soul-satisfying Mom-&-Pop

favorite Hunt’s Restaurant.

SQTPS2

Double Irish Chain pattern has been in use since the end of the 18th century. The

Irish Chain has consistently been one of the favorite and most sought after patterns with

collectors. The Double and Triple Chains seem to be the most common. This quilt can

be found in the home of Diane and Johnny Reese. It was given to Diane by a friend as

a Christmas gift. This Quilt Square can be seen on the Country

Store of Seven Springs, 4455 Marietta Street. It is the second

quilt for the Southern Quilt Trail. It was painted by Diane Reese,

Bill Hilderbrand and Perry Hilderbrand.

QT3

Star in a Square quilt pattern, date unknown, was quilted

by Laura Brock Sutton, mother of Joe Sutton, owner of Powder

Springs Flowers & Gifts. Mrs. Sutton was part Cherokee Indian.

She was born in 1898 and lived in Athens, TN and died at the age

of 85. At the age of 73, she quilted this pattern for granddaughter,

Laura Sutton Wylie. The Quilt Square can be seen on the east

side of Powder Springs Flowers & Gifts on Marietta Street.

QT4

Rose of Sharon popular floral appliqué pattern of the 19th century, when many

examples were made. Named for the love poem found in the Song of Solomon, the

pattern has many variations, but most were made, according to a quilt historian, as

bridal quilts. Susan Smelser, owner of The Book Worm

Bookstore in Powder Springs, found the picture in a quilt book

in her store. She thought it was such a beautiful quilt, she

asked one of her customers, Iia Owens, an artist to paint it on

the east side of her building at 4451 Marietta Street.

QT5

Grandmother’s Flower Garden was popular in the

late 19th and early 20th century. It was common during the

Depression era, when quilt making again became a necessity

in many American homes. Pieced from tiny hexagonal patches,

this pattern can make thrifty use of even the smallest scraps

of fabric. This pattern was used to honor Mrs. Estie Norris, a

native of Powder Springs. She is 92 years old and has made

and donated a quilt to the Seven Springs Society Museum,

yearly since 1987 to be used in a raffle as a fund-raiser. This

Quilt Square was painted by Iia Owens and is on the west side

of The Book Worm, 4451 Marietta Street.

QT6

Sunbonnet Sue or Dutch Girl is the creation of artist Bertha Corbett Melcher.

The pattern for babies with their faces covered by large bonnets was first published

in 1902. Sue’s enduring charm results from the bright scraps from which her dresses

are always made, often bits of fabric left over from dresses the quilt maker stitched

for her daughter. This Quilt Square can be seen on the barn of

Frank and Mary Jo Boyd, located behind Marilyn’s Salon at

4279 Marietta Street. This Quilt Square was painted by Hillgrove

High School Art Class in Powder Springs.

QT8

Carpenters Wheel was popular from 1830 -1860. It has

continued to be a favorite with the experienced quilter. The

quilt is owned by Gloria & Bill Hilderbrand. Gloria bought

this quilt at an antique show many years ago. She estimates

the age to be from the late 1800’s because of the fabrics used

and the stitching. This Quilt Square is on the west side of

Sensibilities Salon & Spa at 4477 Marietta Street. The Quilt

Square was painted by Hillgrove High School art students.

QT9

Floral Basket pattern has continued to be one of

the most favorite traditional American designs. It is

a good design for the quilter to use her imagination

and fill the baskets with flowers, fruits, etc. This Quilt

Square is on the east side of the Tea at Seven Springs,

4456 Marietta Street. It was painted by tea room owner

Joan Evans, family and friends.

QT10

The Double Wedding Ring pattern first gained popularity

about the time of the Civil War, but did not reach all corners

of the quilting community until the early decades of the 20th

century. Symbolic of some of our most cherished sentiments,

rituals and traditions – friendship, love, marriage, eternal

fidelity – the circle is one of the most common design motifs

in every culture. This Quilt Square can be seen over the back

entrance to Powder Springs Florist / Events by Design. Events

by Design specializes in weddings, therefore They decided on

the pattern. Merna Gucce painted the square.

QT1

Star of Bethlehem, also know asStar of the

East and Lone Star: The quilt was bought from

a lady inArmuchee, in Floyd County. The quilter’s

name is unknown. It has been hanging in the

home of Gloria and Bill Hilderbrand for nearly

30 years. This Quilt Square can be seen on the

east side of the Country Store of Seven Springs,

4455 Marietta Street. Painted by Diane Reese and

Bill Hilderbrand – this is the first Quilt Square

painted for the Southern Quilt Trail.

QT7

Pickle Dish is from the late

1800’s and was a favorite

among quilters. The color

scheme was usually red

and white. It was meant to

recall the shimmer of light

on cranberry color cut glass

dishes. Quilted by Frank

Boyd’s grandmother, Minnie

Ida Lula Campbell Boyd.

Frank’s great granddaddy

was injured in the Civil War and three Indian

maidens nursed him back to health. When he

had a daughter he named her for the three Indian

maidens, hence the name. The Quilt Square is on

the east side of a building owned by Frank and

Mary Jo Boyd at 3880 Broad Street. Painted by

Hillgrove High School art students.

Our Mission is to promote and preserve the history

of traditional Folk Art quilt patterns that have been handed down for generations, by displaying this unique art form on historical barns and buildings in our

communities and the rural countryside.

Southern Quilt Trail is sponsored by the

Seven Springs Historical Society

& City of Powder Springs

For more information contact:

770-439-1780

P.O. Box 573

Powder Springs, Ga. 30127

www.southernquilttrail.com

Graphic Design by Vivianne Smiler