To the Mountains / Mariner's Compass

To the Mountains, also, Mariner's Compass. On the Quilt Trail. , To the Mountains , Quilter: Joy du Bois Sponsor: Pickens County ATAX Commission Grant, The original quilt, To the Mountains, a small landscape piece, was created by Joy duBois of Seneca. Joy met a quilter by the name of Gail Sexton, at the Upcountry Quilters Guild which meets at the Pickens Presbyterian Church. Joy subsequently took a class that Gail was teaching in a new landscaping technique at the former local quilt shop, Heirlooms and Comforts. She enjoyed the class and the teacher so much that she went on meeting Gail for weekly sessions where they quilted together. Joy has many quilts in her "stash," both landscape and appliqued borders that Gail designed, and Joy has hand quilted., Mariner's Compass , Quilter: Ellie Elzerman Sponsor: Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce, Ellie Elzerman, veteran quilter and Pickens County resident, lives in the rural Central area and has a long fiber arts history beginning with learning her sewing skills from her mother and aunt. Ellie has also been a weaver and spinner who experiments with natural dyes. As a teacher working with children she has shared her passion for fabric and design with her community., The history of the Mariner’s Compass pattern dates back to 1726, when it was adapted from the ancient compass rose that Portuguese sailors used to navigate the seas that dated back to the 13th century. It is one of the oldest named quilting designs in America., "The Mainer's Compass symbolizes direction and clarity during a journey, and it spoke to us. Out goal is to bring travelers and businesses together during their exploration in our area," explained Kim Smagala., Located at 222 West Main Street in downtown Pickens, SC. and is owned by the City of Pickens. Prior to its current use, it functioned for a time as the local library. It was erected in 1975 on the home site, (1896-1957) of Lena Stewart Cox and her son, P. Vernon Cox, who was born at the home in 1908.