Amelia Island Quilt Guild announces its triennial quilt show – Feb 21 – 22

Quilts by the Sea
www.aiquilters.com
January 28, 2020

Did you ever stand in awe looking at beautiful quilts and wonder what motivates someone to take a piece of fabric, cut it up and then sew it back together to create a work of art? Or look at a quilt and be reminded of a time you cuddled under a piece created by your great grandmother? Then you must join the Amelia Island Quilt Guild in our Quilts by the Sea quilt show on February 21 and 22, 2020. from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Held every three years, this year’s event is at the Atlantic Recreation Center, 2500 Atlantic Avenue, Fernandina Beach 32034. Admission to the show is $10, with free parking.

This is Amelia Island’s remarkable two-day event featuring 200 beautifully displayed quilts and fiber arts that will truly awe and inspire you. These quilts, created by the 100 guild members, reflect the history of quilt making and tells a story about its creator. Many members create quilts using traditional patterns while using either vintage or modern fabrics. Others are gravitated to the world of modern quilts, with its trend towards open space and bold colors. And other quilters will display their talents through fiber arts, combining quilting with techniques such as embroidery, bead work, and applique. In other words, each quilt and quilter tell a story and is a work of art combining colors, textures and techniques.

“As one part of our mission, the Amelia Island Quilt Guild is pleased to share the beauty and artistry of modern-day quilting,” said co-show chair, Rozlyn Warren. “The talent and dedication of our members is evident in the amazing works displayed at our shows.”

In addition to the quilts on display, a Quilt and Fiber Art Boutique will feature quilts, wall hangings, gifts and wearable arts items for sale. The event will have a silent auction, raffle baskets and door prizes.

Our Merchant Mall will allow guests to meet with a variety of vendors who display and sell professionally created items and tools of the trade. This show’s vendors will have sewing machines, patterns, rulers, threads and fabrics all for sale. Vendors provide technique demonstrations. Holiday quilts and an exhibit of a quilt challenge honoring our 30th anniversary are of special interest.

This year, the quilters are pleased to host a community quilt in. A quilt, donated to the guild by a local quilter, uses fabrics from the 1930s to the 1980s and is a perfect quilt for the community to show off their skills or learn a new hand sewing technique.

And yes, all ages are encouraged to join in!

Tickets for a queen size raffle quilt will be available at the show for $2 each or 3 for $5. The drawing will be held on February 22, and the winner need not be present to win.

Quilting and fiber art fans from Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia attend the show. Ms. Hemke shared that previous shows attracted over 1000 visitors to the island. Many ask, what do you during those off years? “The easy answer, of course, is quilt! But these three years we’ve been celebrating our 30th anniversary as a guild”, shares Ms. Warren. With a mission of sharing quilting to the community, we’ve hosted monthly meetings with a presentation at each meeting introducing new techniques. This is an exciting time to be in the fiber arts world with access to technology and the blending of art techniques. We’ve hosted at least two professionally run workshops each year along with five-day retreats where we support each other while creating and stretching our guilds”.

In addition to learning and applying new skills, techniques and creativity, the guild sponsored two events to celebrate our 30 years. We were proud to sponsor two events that provided an opportunity to experience the quilting world.

Proceeds from the show fund the many community service and educational projects of the Nassau count non-profits.” “During 2019, we created 400 charity quilts. For example, each patient in our Community Hospice Center receives a quilt.”, reports Lauree Hemke, board of directors’ member. “Our charity quilters, who meet on Tuesday mornings, make use of donated and purchased fabrics to create a quilt to bring comfort to the patient and their families.” She adds, “We have local quilters to complete the piece work, others who do the quilting and others who put the finishing touches on the quilt.” Other non-profits, such as Council on Aging, Habitat for Humanity, Quilts of Valor, Families in Transition, Nassau Animal Shelter, and Ryan’s Case for Smiles, also receive quilts or other sewn items from the guild. Cindy Brown, co-chair for the show shares, “Our newest charity is making surgical caps for children and youth at Wolfson’s Clinic”. She adds, “Thus, we donate our time and creativity to others upon request, and the funds help to purchase additional sewing needs such as batting, threads, elastic.”

More information about the Amelia Island Quilt Guild can be found at www.aiquilters.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/quiltsbytheseaamelia.