COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. (WLVT) - Up to 600 people are expected for the 18th Homemaker’s County Quilt Show this weekend in Collegeville. The show celebrates the art of quilting in Montgomery County and beyond.
“I love the creativity that comes along with it and the history of it,” said Linda Carey, co-president of Homemaker’s Country Quilters.
Founded in 1983, Homemaker’s Country Quilters connects home quilters to share inspiration and advice.
“We quilt for pleasure and fellowship,” said Jane Humay, who chairs the Quilt Show.
Much of the group’s work goes to charitable causes. The women make quilts for every child who stays at the Ronald McDonald House in Danville, and “Quilts of Honor” for U.S. military veterans. Proceeds from the biennial Quilt Show help provide materials for the quilts.
The show is also an opportunity to showcase the quilters’ best work. Quilt styles range from traditional patchwork quilts to new designs and “fabric art.”
“A lot of our quilts aren’t your grandmother’s quilts,” Humay said.
More than 100 quilters are showing 150 quilts.
“My favorite part of the show is just all the people come in and walking around and hearing comments about everybody’s quilts,” Carey said.
While many quilts are just for display, some will be for sale, along with smaller quilted items.
“Small wall hangings, table runners, placemats,” said Carey. “It runs the whole gamut.”
Visitors can expect to see a lot of floral patterns this year, as the show’s theme is “Blooms of Spring.” Accordingly, the main raffle item is a hand-made quilt titled “Poetic Blossom” that the group made together.
“It takes many, many hours and lots of love to put something like that together,” Humay said.
Crafters looking to start their own projects can find some great deals on quilting and sewing materials.
“There’s a room three times as big as any store you’ve ever been in with donated fabric that is for sale for spectacular prices,” Humay said.
The “recycle room” also includes thread, zippers and other sewing notions. Two other rooms are full of buttons and quilting books. There will also be a cafeteria serving lunch.
The show runs Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m at the Penn State Extension building in Collegeville. Entry is $7, with kids 12 and under free.
