- By Carol C. Reeves
- Around Town
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The Tompkins County Quilters’ Guild turns 35 this year. In November 1975, Ithaca Area women led by Jeanne Greene got together to share their knowledge and love of quilting and to organize a regional quilt show, the Finger Lakes Bicentennial Quilt Exhibit held in Ithaca in July of 1976.This seminal show with its workshops, demonstrations, lectures, and exhibit of over 600 quilts became a blueprint for other quilt shows. It drew visitors and quilters from across the country as well as international attendants. Some of the country’s top quilters and enthusiasts met at the show.
Thirty-five years later, the Tompkins County Quilters’ Guild flourishes with its energetic leader, Aafke Steenhuis, as it prepares for its Biennial Quilt Show, 'Traditions and Beyond 2009' set for Saturday and Sunday, October 3 and 4, 2009. This year’s show will be held in the newly built Tompkins Cortland Community College Field House located at 170 North Street, Dryden, NY 13053. This is a new venue for the show with plenty of free parking and easy access to the spacious show floor.
Vendors from across the region will offer their wares that will please and inspire passionate quilters and non-quilters alike. As at the first show in 1976, there will be demonstrations, lectures, a workshop, and the opportunity to view fabulous quilts in a wide range of styles, subject matter, and techniques. Visitors are urged to vote for their favorites in each category. The winners will be announced on Sunday, October 4.
Once again the show will feature several quilt turning sessions where antique and vintage quilts are lovingly displayed along with their stories, then the quilts are turned back to reveal the next wonderful quilt on the bed. Another favorite with kids of all ages is the soft sculpture exhibit. It will leave the viewer with a new way of thinking about 'dolls.' Wearable art will also be on display showing a variety of clothing designs.
The Quilt Show Committee is fusing two guilty pleasures, 'Project Runway' and 'Iron Chef' into a real-time challenge for a few adventurous souls in the first 'Project Iron Quilter Challenge.' On Saturday, October 3, participants will be presented with a theme, and be given three or four hours to complete a small quilt under the watchful eyes of visitors to the show. On Sunday, October 4 a panel of judges will evaluate the quilts and announce the first 'Iron Quilter' award. All the quilts will then be auctioned.
The auction is not the only opportunity to take home a quilt. Some of the quilts on exhibit are for sale by the quilter and will be so indicated in the Show Program Guide. This year’s show quilt is entitled, 'Delectable Pathways,' and is adapted from a Mary Sorensen and Cindy Blackberg design. Many members of the Guild worked together to piece, appliqué, and quilt this spectacular queen-size quilt.
A long-time feature of the show is the Small Quilt Silent Auction. There visitors will find small quilts of many styles, from beautiful traditional to cutting edge contemporary art, made by the talented members of the Guild. These quilts, soft sculptures, and sometimes purses, will be purchased by those who have the speed, luck, and skill to be the final bidder for that special quilt.
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