How Texas quilters are making history in state-led competition

Editor's note: The above video shows KXAN News' top morning headlines from Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024.

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Calling all quilters! The bi-annual Quilt Block Competition is returning, and this year’s theme is “Texas Agriculture Matters.”

The announcement was made Thursday by Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), who will be hosting the event.

"The themes of the quilts highlight various aspects of Texas agriculture and promote Texas along with the quilting tradition in our state. The TDA Quilt Collection is as much art as craft, and the quilts have become more than heirlooms, they are emblematic of the rich Texas agricultural heritage that belongs to all Texans," TDA said.

Participating quilters were asked to send in block patterns that draw inspiration from aspects of agriculture production in Texas, which could include crops, livestock, rural landscapes and agricultural workers.

“Once all entries have been submitted, an independent panel of judges will select the top blocks, which will be pieced together into a quilt and unveiled this fall for the 50th Anniversary of the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Family Land Heritage Ceremony,” TDA said.

The ceremony, which will be held at the Texas Capitol in Austin, honors Texas farming and ranching families who have owned and run an agricultural operation for 100 years or more.

“Every two years, we host this competition, and every year, the designs get better and better,” Miller said. “It is an honor to showcase the artistic talents of our Texas quilters while emphasizing the significance of agriculture in Texas.”