California Quilters Guild to stage big show this weekend
For The Madera Tribune Founding members of the Heart of California Quilters Guild, from left: Virginia Whistler, Dorothy Cordoza, Dede Case, Sandy Giersch, Kay Lasswell, Jean Morgan, Jill Petrucci, Shirley Ward, Delores Sanchez, and Norma Romine; seated is guild founder, the late Phyllis Giersch at the group’s 25th anniversary celebration last fall. The guild will host its biennial quilt show Saturday and Sunday in Hatfield Hall at Madera District Fairgrounds.
Quilting in the USA is a $3.5 billion a year industry. Small pieces of fabric meticulously cut and sewn together turns become art work in the hands of some very talented local women.
Members of the Madera-based Heart of California Quilters Guild will play host to the group’s biennial quilt show, “California Dreamin,” on Saturday and Sunday in Hatfield Hall at the Madera District Fairgrounds, 1850 W. Cleveland Ave. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $8, children ages 6 to 12 years, $1, 5 and younger free admission.
More than 100 quilts will be on display, including those of this year’s featured quilters, Mary King and Kay Lasswell.
The guild recently announced the winners of its 2017 quilt challenge. The contest categories are wall-hanging, wearable and home décor. This year’s winners are Virginia Whistler, Linda Zacharia and Linda Parkhurst respectively.
More than 100 quilts of varying color, size and design will be on display along with vendors selling fabric, patterns, tools and many other sewing and quilting supplies. A partial list of vendors include Always Unique Hand-Dyed Fabric, Global Marketplace, Di’s Jewelry & Crafts, Fabulous Fabrics, A Designing Woman, Authorized Vac & Sew, Shirley’s Stash, Generation To Generation Heirlooms and Pegboard Highway among them.
There will be door prizes, raffles and a quilters’ attic booth, with sales benefiting the guild. A quilter’s café will serve lunch, snacks and beverages both days. Special activities for children will include a treasure hunt with prizes.
Founded in 1991, the Heart of California Quilters Guild began with 25 members and has grown to 93 members today, said longtime quilter Virginia Whistler.
The late Phyllis Giersch, a founding guild member, taught quilting classes at her former fabric store Patchwork Pansy.
“She taught more than 100 Madera women how to quilt,” said Whistler.
