The Quilted Classic Raffle
Enter to win a one-of-a-kind quilt by Barb Sim in our online raffle
Dear Friends,
In my 22 years as president of Chicago Scots, I have found that there is a spirit of generosity within the DNA of a Chicago Scot that always puts a spring in my step. Big-heartedness is something we Scots do very well, and we need to celebrate it more.
Today, I want you to join me in celebrating the goodwill of one of our Scottish community’s first families – the Sims. Barb Sim is a legendary quilter who doesn’t play golf but wants to make a difference for the Kilted Classic.
This summer when her husband, Jim, was busy running the largest pipe band competition outside of the UK for Chicago Scots Highland Games, Barb stitched away creating a keepsake quilt to raffle for our tournament. Her only request – put it to good use to benefit the residents of Caledonia Senior Living & Memory Care.
I’ve dubbed the raffle “The Quilted Classic Raffle.” This is an opportunity for everyone to support the tournament, support our residents and thank, Barb. I hope you will join me in buying a ticket for “The Quilted Classic Raffle”.
~ Gus Noble OBE
President, Chicago Scots
A Quilt with a Scottish Story
Equal parts golf trophy, Scottish scrapbook, and good luck charm, Barb has created a one-of-a-kind quilt to benefit the 25th Annual Kilted Classic Golf Tournament next Thursday, September 24.
Take a moment to review the finished quilt which is a visual scrapbook of Scotland and golf from Highland cows to thistles, unicorns, the Loch Ness Monster and more. The quilt is backed in the official tartan of Illinois which was designed by Chicago Scots and adopted by the state legislature in 2012. The tartan was printed on lightweight polyviscose fabric specially sourced from the Scotland Shop in Duns, Scotland.
And that Duns connection makes this quilt even more Scottish.
Duns is the hometown of Chicago Scots President Gus Noble and the home of the Scotland Shop, Chicago Scots’ tartan purveyor and valued partner. So this quilt has already had an impressive Scottish journey—from Duns to Chicago, from Barb’s imagination to her sewing machine, and now into the hands of one lucky raffle winner.
Barb has been sewing since she was 13 and quilting for the past six years. Her inspiration came from a golf quilt she designed for her son-in-law to rave reviews. She knew it was a design worth repeating with one important difference – this quilt would support Chicago Scots work at Caledonia Senior Living & Memory Care.
Click to view larger versions of the quilt.
Tee Up Your Support
Chicago Scots is Illinois’ oldest charity and the only Scottish Society in the world to own and operate an elder care community, Caledonia Senior Living & Memory Care, as its primary charity. The Kilted Classic helps support the residents of Caledonia, making Barb’s quilt more than a beautiful keepsake. It’s a gift of support that keeps on giving.
The raffle is open until midnight on October 1, 2026.
Every year at our Scottish Festival & Highland Games, the Chicago Scots feature a family or an organization as our Honored Clan. This year, to recognize and celebrate its’ strong Scottish roots, our Honored Clan is Rotary International. We are proud to announce that Rotary International’s Scottish President, Gordon McInally has agreed to lead our Parade of Tartans at 12:30 p.m. Gordon will also receive the Salute to the Chieftain from the Massed Pipe Bands at approximately 6.30pm on Saturday, June 15, 2024.