- By Dan Veaner
- Around Town
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 "Patch Hopscotch" by Lansing quilter Kathleen Wadell |  Kathleen Wadell's "My Lucky Stars" |
"I would say 75% are from our guild members, and the other 25% are from people in the community, friends of people in our guild," says Melanie Towner, one of the three organizers of this year's show. "The majority are from Tompkins County. We have close to 300 quilts on display from makers. They range from art quilts to innovative quilts to traditional quilts and antique quilts. We have a small quilt auction. There are 77 quilts that we are auctioning as a fund raiser." There was also an exhibit of young quilters' work. The majority of the quilts were new and on display for the first time.
Organizer Melanie Towner in front of her own quilt
The show began in 1976 when a group of local women put together a quilt show to celebrate the Bicentennial. They displayed quilts from all over the country in the Ithaca High School auditorium. Since then the guild, with a membership of between 150 to 180 members that range between ages 18 to to their late 80s, has produced a show every two years. It used to be held at the New York State Armory, but the show outgrew that space two years ago, forcing a move to The FIELD. This year's organizers are Ms. Towner, Susan Sylstra and Kristin Thompson.
Organizer Melanie Towner in front of her own quilt
The show began in 1976 when a group of local women put together a quilt show to celebrate the Bicentennial. They displayed quilts from all over the country in the Ithaca High School auditorium. Since then the guild, with a membership of between 150 to 180 members that range between ages 18 to to their late 80s, has produced a show every two years. It used to be held at the New York State Armory, but the show outgrew that space two years ago, forcing a move to The FIELD. This year's organizers are Ms. Towner, Susan Sylstra and Kristin Thompson.
"Quilt Turning demonstration"
Near the back of the arena a bed had been set up for a "quilt turning." People loaned antique quilts for the event, and put the information about them on a card. Guild members read the cards as they folded the quilts on the bed, explaining about their history and patterns, which each have different meanings.
Two Lansing Quilters | |
 "Grace's Quilt" by Amy Jaffe |  Rose Haycook's "Grandmother's Garden" |
"We also have a memorial section," says Ms. Towner. " We have had four members pass away over the last two years. Their families give us some of their works." On Sunday Jeannie Barnes, a certified quilt appraiser, came to appraise quilts, a quilt version of "The Antiques Road Show."
Small Quilt Auction
The money raised by the show supports the guild's programs, including many service projects. Guild members have made quilts for at-risk babies, and for babies who are very ill, and have given quilts to the Cayuga Medical Center, Hospice, the Ithaca Breast Cancer Alliance and the Women's Community Building in Ithaca. The money also provides scholarships for members to go to quilting workshops or classes. "We're always doing something," says Ms. Towner. "It's a nice charitable group of people. They give a lot of time and they have a lot of talent."
The Nina Linton Award is a monetary award given by her family to a new quilter, one who has been quilting less than two years, whose work reflects Ms. Linton's vision. Here whole family comes, and her Great Granddaughter presents the award.
This quilt was raffled
About 1200 people come over the course of the two day show. 15 Vendors set up shop, one from as far away as Georgia. Others include Quilters Corner, The Wood Quilter from Locke and Genoa, and a jeweler from Lansing.
"Something like this doesn't just happen with one or two people, says Ms. Towner. " We feel really fortunate that that we had some wonderful volunteers helping this year."
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