Sunday, May 11, 2008 East Central Illinois

Museum to sell afghans designed with Danville landmarks

By Pat Phillips
Friday, May 9, 2008 6:23 AM CDT

DANVILLE – Several years ago, the Center for Children's Services sold Vermilion County and Danville-themed afghans. The simple designs of separate area sites were very popular and after the initial sale, the Vermilion County Museum carried the items in its gift shop.

The museum has had enough calls that director Sue Richter started looking into creating a new throw specifically for the museum to sell as a fundraiser.

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"What she came up with was really nice," said Bonnie Bowles, board member. "There hasn't been a project like this for a while and we thought it was a wonderful idea."

Richter worked with Mill Street Design of Bridgeport, Pa., which has taken the design and weave of the new afghan into the computer age with a nearly picture-quality woven design.

"You decide the style and size you want," Richter explained. "Then you pick the pictures of what you want on the coverlet."

Pictures can be used separately or as a collage with the images blending into one another.

Vermilion County Museum worker Erin Bolton straightens the edge of a woven afghan, which depicts various Danville landmarks, on display at the facility on Gilbert Street in Danville on Thursday. The museum is taking orders for the afghan as a fundraiser. By Rick Danzl

"We definitely wanted to cover various parts of the area," Richter said.

The completed afghan depicts the Danville skyline with Bresee Tower, the Old Salt Kettle monument, the Danville USA brick sculpture in Temple Plaza, Soldiers' Circle in Springhill Cemetery, prairie grass at sunset, the footbridge at Ellsworth Park, Abraham Lincoln and the museum buildings with the Fithian Home in the foreground.

"We had to send all different kinds of views from different angles as well as the different subjects," Richter said. "We also went for a tonal look with the colors."

"I've seen the proof," said Kathy Darding, also a board member. "I was a little worried from the picture that it would be too bright, but I was pleasantly surprised the woven finished product is more subdued."

Darding related that the prairie grass at sunset photo had been taken by Richter. It was used on the cover of her husband Don's book, "Lincoln: The Prairie Years."

"She went out and laid on her stomach in the grass to get that shot," Darding recalled with a laugh. "It's really beautiful."

The fringed afghan measures 48 inches by 68 inches and is jacquard woven of 100 percent cotton. It is machine washable, preshrunk and colorfast.

It could also be used as a wall hanging if the owner wanted to have a rod pocket sewn on the back.

Richter ordered 125 afghans for what she hopes is only a start. The proof has been approved, so the order should arrive in three to four weeks. Orders are being taken now and the proof is available for viewing at the museum, 116 N. Gilbert St.

"We won't make a lot on the initial sale, since all the art setup costs are included in that first order," Richter said. "We are always looking for ways to help make some money for the museum. Our board members will bring us back ideas from their travels and we hash out whether it would be feasible for us. That's how we wound up doing the postcard notecards. The afghan is an idea that is just right for this time."

The cost of the afghan is $59.26 including tax and orders will be taken until about mid-June. After that, the cost will go to $70.04 including tax. Orders are being taken at the museum, by phone or at www.vermilioncountymuseum.org.

Anyone wanting to give the afghan as a gift for Mother's Day can get a color card print of one that can preview the gift to come.

For more information or to place an order, call the museum at 442-2922.

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