Meet the owner of the Quilt Connection, Margaret Bogle

I grew up in Rutherford County, Tennessee where I learned the art of quilting from my mom, aunts, and grandmother who quilted. I've worked hard to perfect the craft myself. My father, a carpenter, had a rule "measure twice, cut once". The version of this rule I live by is to "measure three times, cut once."

While in the insurance business, I was chosen as the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce Consumer Champion in 1991. Always wanting to do something with my hands, my quilting hobby turned into a full time endeavor.

Outside of quilting, I enjoy spending time with my husband, Pete, and our many horses of which we have 4.

What has 531 pieces and 556 yards of thread?

The people of Murfreesboro, Tennessee know something that I have in common with Betsy Ross.

Ross is famous for stitching the very first American flag. I am famous for creating a 7' x 12' replica quilt of the Tennessee state flag, which hangs in the Freedom Center Legislative Building on the corner of 8th and Union that opened in the Spring ‘2000 in Nashville, TN.

My research of what the Tennessee flag’s emblems symbolize was interesting. The three stars represent the geographical divisions of the state – West, Middle, and East. The outer blue bar relieves the sameness of the crimson field, prevents the flag from showing too much crimson and from hanging limp. The white edging separating the blue band from the crimson provides a stark contrast to the other colors, making the final product vivid. The quilted flag, which used 531 pieces of material and 556 yards of thread, represents the time-honored Tennessee craft of quilting.

This artwork is an example of how traditions, life, and history all go together in Tennessee.

"I pride myself on precision cutting and sewing. The state flag quilt is an example of that precision, dedication and accomplishment."