Each year hundreds of quilts are entered to be put on display and judged at the annual festival. “It’s our 30th anniversary and we are looking at these quilts that have been made and looking forward to the future.” said Jana Frederick, the guild’s newsletter editor.

Every year the festival has a featured quilter and this year’s featured quilter is Leone Nera. Originally from South Africa, Nera speaks on the difficulties learning how to sew in America and to adapt her sewing skills.

“It all started when I moved to America from South Africa with my husband. I had to give up my machines that I had in South Africa that I had used for garment construction. Until I moved to America I had never even heard of a quilt. But then I went to a class to learn how to make quilts for my new grandson and I loved it. I started making quilts for my grandson then,who has just turned 19,” Nera said.

Nera went to a John Maxwell Certification Program where she met the CEO for Mission4Orphans. This inspired Nera to start her organization Born2Be. The organization makes quilts and donates them to the children at Mission4Orphans in India. Born2Be started her business/ministry based on the scripture Jeremiah 1:5 – “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you: before you were born, I sanctified you!”

Elizabeth Hendrickson/MDN This is the first quilt Leone Nera made. She made it for her first grandson. Nera is this year’s featured quilter at the Minot Prairie Quilt Festival.

Every quilt that Nera makes has a positive message embroidered on them such as Born2Be An Achiever, Leader, Beautiful, Loved, etc. Since starting her ministry in 2011 Nera has donated 35 quilts.

“These quilts are like God wrapping his arms around these little ones, comforting them with warmth but also making them feel safe,” Nera said..

Each year a challenge quilt category is added to the festival. This year’s challenge quilt is the “Initial Quilt Challenge.”

“The challenge this year is to use an initial of your name, either first or last, and then find a quilting block whose name starts with the same initial,” Frederick said.

This year judge Diane Pitchford of Arizona will judge the challenge category as well as the other judged quilts.

There are multiple categories that participants can enter their quilts in to be judged. Some of these categories include bed quilts, handwork and wool on wool.

“I think it’s nice to have your quilt judged because when the judge gives you remarks you can look and say,’Okay, I could improve here and learn from the critiques,’ ” Leone said. “I am always challenged to try something new.”

The event will include quilts on display, judged categories, lectures on different quilting techniques and multiple vendors.