ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — The last time the ladies of the Robertsdale United Methodist Women’s group held a quilt show, they had so many arrive they wound up draping the quilts over pews in the sanctuary.

They are ready to do that again.

Robertsdale United Methodist Women will hold their biennial quilt show at the church on Highway 59 on Feb. 5, 6, and 7 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Right now, they expect 300 quilts.

But Betty Gwaltney, the group’s president, is ready to open up the sanctuary should more arrive.

“It made a wonderful display,” said Gwaltney, who lives in Robertsdale.

Admission to the show, which includes a display of antiques and collectables is $5.

A lunch consisting of salad, soup, and dessert is an additional $5. You can get full information, contact numbers and some photos of the last show online by going to robertsdaleumc.com and clicking on the “UMW Quilt Show” link.

According to Gwaltney, funds raised by the show support “local missions,” including the We Care Food Pantry, The Women’s Medical Care Center, Rainbow House, the Home of Grace and Alabama Rural Ministries. The Church also sponsors a mission in Quito, Ecuador.

“We are looking at the quilt as a form of artwork,” said Gwaltney.

People agree and come for miles to see the quilts on display.

“We have had people drive in from as far away as Tennessee. We have men bring quilts in.”

This year, the show is being dedicated to the memory of a past president of RUMW.

According to an e-mail from Mary Barnhill, a member of the RUMW, “The 2009 Quilt Show will be dedicated to the memory of Lou Howard. Ms. Howard was chairperson of the 2007 Quilt Show and president of the Robertsdale United Methodist Women. She was at the church from Sunday afternoon (registering quilts) through Saturday (closing the Show) working for the success of the Show. She did an outstanding job while she knew that she was not well and pushing herself to the limits. Ms. Howard died two weeks after the Show. Her memory lives on with each of us and we still miss her physical presence.”

According to Peggy Wilcox of Robertsdale, this show’s “Honored Quilter,” “God has given us talent and material. This is a way to give back.”

The show also allows people to reminisce.

“I can remember my first quilt,” said Barbara Landers of Robertsdale. The quilt was not a work of art, but contained a wealth of memories.

“My first quilt was made from scraps for polyester double-knit,” recalled Landers. “They were scraps from my children’s clothes.”

That was 40 years ago, Landers said. Today her quilts wrap all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

That’s why each quilt at the show is special. Each has a story to tell. While many will be constructed of fabric carefully bought new and matched to give the most pleasing pattern, others will be like Landers’, made with someone special in mind.

But the show comes together because as Edna Aldridge said, “We all love quilts.”

Putting on the show is “a lot of work,” said Wilcox.

But all the women were quick to agree that the work is worth it.

“It started out as a hobby a number of us have. It’s an enjoyable and pleasurable thing to do,” said Barnhill.