Marne Bechtolt, of South Wayne, is a member of the Lafayette County Sew & Sews quilt guild, and has always loved to quilt. She also passed on that interest and skill to her daughter, Mackenzie.
    With the Lafayette County Quilt Show being put on this year on Sept. 19 and 20 by the Sew & Sews, Bechtolt suggested that the guild introduce a separate junior class for younger quilters ages 18 and under.
    In order to inspire some interest and establish some entries in the junior class, Bechtolt decided to form a quilting group for several children that are part of a local Classical Conversations Homeschooling Group, including her own daughter.
    Called The Rippers: the Next Generation, the group has been meeting at the First Baptist Church in Darlington since the middle of July and working on quilt projects for each of the six kids involved: Emerson and Samuel Koch of Argyle, Clara and Abigail Solverson of Darlington, Mackenzie Bechtolt of South Wayne and Becca Gill of Darlington. 
    Although this is the first year this group has met, organizers are hoping to make it an annual event to continue the interest in quilting in a younger generation.