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Piles of colorful quilts folded in neat piles atop tables awaited the scrutiny of two judges from the Bay Area as rows of women sat looking on with rapt attention.
The serious gathering was part of the judging process conducted for the dozens of quilts that will be displayed this weekend at the 25th anniversary show of the Pine Tree Quilt Guild at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.
The quilt show is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Nevada County Fairgrounds, on McCourtney Road just west of Grass Valley.
The event showcases more than 300 quilts, paying tribute to a year of hard work.
“Mostly, it’s just showing them off,” said event spokeswoman Joy Waggener. “Getting a ribbon is a big deal. It’s validation for your hard work because it’s a lot of work, hundreds of hours in most cases.”
Started in 1984, the guild has between 250 and 300 members, mostly women who love to design prize-winning quilts. And like the quilting circles of old, gathering at a fellow quilters home is a chance to socialize.
“I think it’s a wonderful way for women to share their lives,” Waggener said.
It’s more than a hobby. Each year, members cut and stitch donated fabric to create community service quilts for fire and other disaster victims. Last year, the guild gave 217 quilts and 270 Christmas stockings. In 2005, members sent 500 quilts to Louisiana and Mississippi to victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Modern quilters have moved away from the scrap-saving days of great-grandma. Instead, guild members often can be found shopping fabric and quilting stores, looking for new and interesting material to add to their stash.
“The one who dies with the most fabric wins,” Waggener said.
Displays from five internationally recognized quilters will be on display at this weekend’s show, including the works of local contemporary quilt artist Velda Newman.
A Civil War replica quilt made with well over 5,000 pieces will be given away during a drawing at 3 p.m. Sunday.
To contact Staff Writer Laura Brown, e-mail lbrown@theunion.com or call 477-4231.
The serious gathering was part of the judging process conducted for the dozens of quilts that will be displayed this weekend at the 25th anniversary show of the Pine Tree Quilt Guild at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.
The quilt show is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Nevada County Fairgrounds, on McCourtney Road just west of Grass Valley.
The event showcases more than 300 quilts, paying tribute to a year of hard work.
“Mostly, it’s just showing them off,” said event spokeswoman Joy Waggener. “Getting a ribbon is a big deal. It’s validation for your hard work because it’s a lot of work, hundreds of hours in most cases.”
Started in 1984, the guild has between 250 and 300 members, mostly women who love to design prize-winning quilts. And like the quilting circles of old, gathering at a fellow quilters home is a chance to socialize.
“I think it’s a wonderful way for women to share their lives,” Waggener said.
It’s more than a hobby. Each year, members cut and stitch donated fabric to create community service quilts for fire and other disaster victims. Last year, the guild gave 217 quilts and 270 Christmas stockings. In 2005, members sent 500 quilts to Louisiana and Mississippi to victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Modern quilters have moved away from the scrap-saving days of great-grandma. Instead, guild members often can be found shopping fabric and quilting stores, looking for new and interesting material to add to their stash.
“The one who dies with the most fabric wins,” Waggener said.
Displays from five internationally recognized quilters will be on display at this weekend’s show, including the works of local contemporary quilt artist Velda Newman.
A Civil War replica quilt made with well over 5,000 pieces will be given away during a drawing at 3 p.m. Sunday.
To contact Staff Writer Laura Brown, e-mail lbrown@theunion.com or call 477-4231.
