Exhibit to Feature More Than 100 Quilts

Until a year ago, Northridge businesswoman Jenney Horst had no interest in history, in quilting or in how they might be related.

But one day in May, months after Horst became fascinated with quilts, her husband’s mother uncovered an extraordinary find.

From her dusty attic, Berniece Horst pulled out a quilt handed down for generations in the family, dating from before the Civil War.

On Saturday, the quilt will be one of more than 100 on display at the Valley Quiltmakers Guild’s ninth annual “Quilted Keepsakes” exhibition, to be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, 480 Riverside Drive, Burbank.

Guild members said the quilt is in near pristine condition, especially for such an old piece.

“I’m not an expert, but in comparison to other antiques I’ve seen, it’s in perfect condition,” said Barbara Thornton, a group vice president. “It was a very exciting find.”

Jenney Horst, who also is a guild member, said that since finding the red, green and white quilt, she has scoured bookstores and libraries looking for material that will help her determine its age.

“I hate history, but boy this has been a lot of fun,” she said.

She has learned that the quilt was probably a bridal quilt made by the great-great-grandmother of Jenney’s husband, Bill Horst, in the early 1800s in Aurora, Ohio.

Although Jenney Horst has been a seamstress and longtime owner of a Valley square-dancing apparel store, it wasn’t until last September that she discovered quilting. Since then, she has expanded her business to include a fabric store specializing in material for quilters.

Saturday’s quilt show also will feature a competition of pieces from group members, as well as collectibles vendors.

For more information about the guild or the show, call Thornton at (818) 886-4021.