Bismarck Tribune

By KAREN HERZOGBy KAREN HERZOG

On the back of the "Arizona Star" quilt - which is as perfectly constructed as the front - is a small embroidered heart enclosing the stamped logo of the Caring Hearts quilting group at the Church of Corpus Christi in Bismarck. Each of the quilts created by the 15 or so members of the Caring Hearts somewhere has this same little emblem as they wait to be put on display during the group's fourth annual quilt show and raffle May 4.

In the past four years, this group of meticulous sewers, cutters and piecers has created about 200 quilts. Quilted items vary from small lap quilts and meal bibs for nursing home residents, to twin, full and queen size bed quilts. Not too many of the quilters knew each other well before starting their Tuesday morning group, but now it has become a fellowship, said Susan Tschider, a member of the group.

To make sure each quilt is something the group can be proud of, members take great pains with each portion of the work, from those who cut the pieces, sew them together, measure and trim each block to make sure all are uniform, tie the corners with thread, bind the edges and quilt the design.

Each year the completed quilts are wrapped and stored in the church in advance of the show and then are donated to helping organizations, including St. Vincent's Care Center, the Youth Correctional Center in Mandan, the Boys Ranch, Blessed Gianna Maternity Home in Warsaw, N.D., Ronald McDonald House, Ruth Meiers Hospitality House, the Abused Adult Resource Center and foster children's services, Tschider said.

This year's raffle quilt, the "Arizona Star," was constructed by Aggie Eckroth and quilted in an all-over freehand design by Florence Harsche.

The quilt show runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 4 at the Corpus Christi Parish Hall, 1919 S. Second St. For more information, call 255-4600.