"Flights Of Fancy"
National Quilting Association, Inc.
PO Box 393
Ellicott City, MD 21041-0393
nqa@erols.com
www.nqaquilts.org
Having never been to a National Quilting Association
(NQA) show before I didn’t exactly know what to expect. What I did expect was to
see some very fine quilts and that certainly was true. The show was in the large
convention hall in downtown Columbus. Ohio. The Greater Columbus Convention Center
was huge, and as I wandered back to the section where the quilt show was I saw women
going to and from quilt classes and lectures (there were many going on), chatting
over coffee or lunch in the main food court, or just groups together having a great
time.
As I walked through the door, after picking up my press
pass, the wonderful quilts that hung before me in the large hall awed me. The quilts
were the main focus here with wide aisles so many people can be looking at the quilts,
good lighting so we could see the fine workmanship, and plenty of "white glove hostess' "
to point out some interesting things about the quilts.
I was able to comfortably walk each aisle, pausing before
some of the quilts that I especially liked and chatting with some of the visitors
to the show. I met a few gals from one of the area guilds, the Goodtime Quilters
from Circleville, Ohio, and they were having a good time. It is a guild of 130 people
and amongst their many activities; each year is a quilt show just after Labor Day and
a Quilt Retreat. I took their picture in front of the huge quilt blocks at the entrance
to the show. (By the way, they meet the 1st Thursday of every month at 9:30am at
Trinity Lutheran Church on East Mound Street in Circleville, Ohio...go visit sometime)
The quilts were incredible: techniques and styles varying
from each other, different sizes, but all conveying the same message you can impart
your message through your work. The messages were strong and powerful. The response
from those viewing the quilts was just as strong and powerful.
I slowed down as I got to The Appliqué Society booth
when I saw Teri Henderson Tope's quilt "Always Wear Clean Underwear." I asked if
I could take a picture, explaining that I would like a picture of it for this article.
I thought of all the times when I was a girl that I heard my grandmother tell me to
always wear clean underwear in case you were in an accident and had to go to the hospital.
Anyway, the quilt brought back a humorous memory for me. How about you?
I wish I had been able to be at the show on closing day
for the Live Mini Quilt Auction. What wonderful quilts and how well they were
displayed! There was also a Mini Quilt Silent Auction going on throughout the show.
Of course, I made a good sweep of the vendors, picking
up some new "gotta haves." There were not too many that you didn't have time to
see them all, but there were a good variety and ones of exceptional quality.
The class schedule included something for everyone: piecing,
applique, design, techniques and some interesting lectures, plus the annual meeting
of the NQA...those of us who are members wore a big button that said I'm NQA! I have
a very good time and met the Grand Poombah (as her name tag read), Patricia Moore,
who is the 1st Vice President and Lynn Kough who I corresponded with by email is Show
Coordinator. I think they were having a good time, even though they put in many long
hours to put on a wonderful show.
Don't forget that the NQA sponsors National Quilting Day
the third Saturday of March each year. Now in its 13th year, celebrations involve
quilters throughout the country and around the world. Ask how you can participate,
and report your activities to the NQA online. It is a great way to celebrate quilting
and share it with others.
Next year's show will be in Peoria, IL June 24 - 26, 2004.
Check out the NQA Website for more information. I heard a rumor that they might be
having the 2005 show back in Columbus, Ohio! Hurrah, what a great town!
©2003 Dori Hawks
www.thequiltercommunity.com
www.nqaquilts.org
www.theappliquesociety.org
|
