Quilt Fest draws 80 entries
Aggie Mom Nancy Springer displays her quilt honoring her children, Texas A&M graduates. Mrs. Springer used scraps from the individual Aggie quilts she made for each child. BULLETIN PHOTO/ Tracy Thayer
Many different types of quilts were displayed at the 11th Annual Medina Quilt Fest, which concluded earlier this month on Nov. 5.
The Quilters of Medina 11th annual Quilt Fest, which concluded earlier this month, drew 80 entries from quilts for beds to quilted clothing and quilt art.
Organizer Edi Jessup put together this free, non-juried show to highlight the talents of local Hill Country quilters. Antique quilts as well as new creations were popular entries. Over 200 visitors walked through the exhibit to admire the quilted items displayed by the group. Quilt group members were available to discuss quilting and help visitors through the exhibit.
Quilter Nancy Springer demonstrated to visitors how fabric selvages are used to make quilt blocks, and she emphasized that no part of the fabric used to make quilts is wasted. Springer also remarked the quilt guild was a close-knit group that helped each other with quilting questions and problems. She said that the group often made comfort quilts for hospital patients in addition to working on individual projects.
She said the most enjoyable part of working with the other quilters is learning from one another and having fun together. There are between 50-60 quilters in the group. Springer displayed her Aggie quilt for the show. She used leftover pieces from quilts she made for her three children, all Aggie graduates, to create the quilt in the show. Clearly a labor of love, Springer detailed each step in the creation of the treasured memento.
While the show is not judged, they do award the “Silver Scissors” honor to the entry which garners the most votes as “People’s Choice” from the visitors.
The group also helps novices start quilting. Many times, fabric and even sewing machines are donated to the group by families of quilters. They keep those items for novices who might not have the resources to buy their own machines.
They also provide support and guidance to novices who are just learning about the art of quilting through their weekly coffees. The group is happy to welcome those who want to learn more about quilting and try their hand at the art. All levels of quilters, from novice to expert, are welcomed in the group.
The Medina Quilters meets weekly on Friday morning at The Core Coffeehouse in Medina to discuss on-going projects and offer help to new quilters.
The collaboration enjoyed by the quilters is a hallmark of their group. The Medina Quilting Group has between 50 and 60 members working together and separately on quilt projects.