The designs of Special Olympic athletes have provided inspiration for a community quilting project.

Members of the Lincoln Quilters Guild constructed five quilts based on drawings made by Special Olympics athletes. The quilts were created to celebrate the 2010 USA National Games opening July 18. One of the quilts will be donated to UNL’s International Quilt Study Center and Museum during a noon, July 20 Tuesday Talk at the museum. The quilt will be added to the museum’s permanent collection.

Five blank quilt blocks were sent to each participating state delegation. Special Olympics athletes designed their state block, using crayons. The creations were returned to Nebraska, and Lincoln Quilters Guild members stitched them into five quilts, each measuring 60 by 90 inches. Professional long-arm quilters, also guild members, volunteered their time working on the quilts. The quilts were bound by visitors to the Guild’s Quilt Show in May.

The 2010 Quilt Project is a partnership among the USA National Games, the Lincoln Quilters Guild and the International Quilt Study Center and Museum.
During the Games, the quilts will be displayed at the Special Olympics Town at Pershing Auditorium and the IQSM.

Three of the quilts will be raffled to raise funds for the USA National Games. Tickets, $5 each, are available by calling (402) 483-0453 or (402) 464-0970. The drawing is 6 p.m., July 22 during Fan Fest at Pershing Auditorium.

The fifth quilt will be donated to the Nebraska Special Olympics office.