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Along the way, County Commissioner Cheryl Clark aspires to capture a glimpse of a bygone time and learn about the people who created the blanket.

"I would love to find out its history," said Clark. "I bought it at a garage sale from a woman who lived on McKeen Lake Road. It was hung in her home and she was moving out of state. She had no knowledge of where it came from and it would be really interesting to find out who made the quilt. I'm hoping it's a local family."

The hand stitched quilt is made of multi-colored silk and taffeta squares and has a cotton backing. The date 1908, and the hand sewn signatures of Gerald, Claud, Ethel, Edward, Betty Bernice, Pauline, Carl, Burt, Adah, Clarence and the letter M are hand stitched into the front.

According to quilt historian Kimberly Wulfert, quilts reflect social history, such as the westward expansion, pioneering on the plains, wars, political and religious campaigns and symbols, working women and interior design through time.

Clark, who loves quilts, has detailed a little of her own background. She's made a sister's quilt of her childhood and one chronicling the clothing of her family.

Quilt lovers are invited to share their history and handiwork at the Apr. 19 Third Annual Quilt Show. The $3 admission will benefit the United Methodist Women and Kids in New Directions, a non-profit Lapeer County group serving at risk children and their families.

"It's an exhibit only and everyone is invited to share their talents," said Clark. "This year we included textile work."

Events planned besides the Quilt and Textile fairs are quilt appraisals, needle point, spinning and weaving demonstrations, an exhibit of miniature quilts telling the story of the Underground Railroad, vendors, bake sale, luncheon, fabric donation table, and a silent auction.

Set up to exhibit handiwork is 6-8 p.m. Friday, Apr. 18 and 8-10 a.m. Saturday. The fair is 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday Apr. 19 at the Columbiaville Methodist Church on 4696 Pine Street in Columbiaville. Phone Sandy Chaffer at (810) 793-4722 or Lyndall VanSteenburg at (810) 7934203 for information. Exhibitors may register on line or contact Clark about her quilt history at c@clark.gs. Clark may also be reached at (810) 793-2202.