It's Almost Quilt Show Festival Time

My husband and I have a notebook on our bedside table. In this notebook we write our list of places to travel. On our list we've included a quilt show that I've always wanted to attend, the Road to California quilt show. It's seems to always be talked about in blogs, etc. After checking the dates today, it's next week and that might be too soon to plan a trip to California. Ah well, there's always next year.

My recommendation for anyone that wants to attend a quilt show is the huge AQS quilt show in Paducah, Kentucky. This show is in the Spring when the dogwoods are blooming. This show is unique in that the whole town appreciates the economic boost the show gives to the local economy and quilts are everywhere in the town. The local rotary club has a show of antique crazy quilts and Elenore Burns puts on an educational and entertaining show in a circus tent. You have to have at least 3 days there and you still won't see it all. You've heard of a whole cloth quilt, well this is a whole town quilt show.

I think a lot of credit must go to Hancocks of Paducah. This is a world famous fabric store, that gives a great award,$20,000. for the winner, or it may have changed, that's what it used to be. I've had one quilt entered in this show but, did not win anything. It's a juried show, so I felt like just getting accepted was pretty good.

Another great little quilt show is the Indiana Heritage quilt show in Bloomington. This is another large prize for the winner show, so it brings in some really great quilts to compete. I've entered quilts in this show, but, have never won. They also have some very interesting displays in the surrounding museums. You can see this quilt show in one day. There's a house nearby that has some original quilts that were beautifully preserved and are only brought out for display on antique beds once a year. I can't remember what it is called. This show also brings in some pretty fantastic teachers. I'm taking a class from Bonnie Mcaffrey for painting faces on fabric. I've always tried other crafts, and I really like painting. My mom is an oil painting artist.

These are just a few suggestions of quilt shows in my area, Louisville, Kentucky. Does anyone know of any others near me or if you have any suggestions, I'd like to hear it.

START PLANNING FOR YOUR QUILT SHOWS NOW AND INVITE A NONQUILTER TO A SHOW IF YOU CAN. Or, then again, if not a quilting friend or by yourself, cause you can find your best friend or your worst enemy in yourself.

Happy Quilting!