Unique, one-of-a-kind art is what you’ll find at the Quilting in the Red Rocks Quilt Show on March 1-2.
The Delicate Stitchers Quilt Guild will showcase more than 100 quilted fiber artworks during its 10th biennial exhibit at the Grand Center, 182 N. 500 West. Works include bed quilts, table runners, clothing purses and more.
“Anything quilted can be entered,” guild member Marian Eason said. “It’s a fun show.”
The exhibit includes a drawing for an “opportunity quilt” that one person will win if their ticket is drawn at the next quilters’ guild meeting on March 12. The king-sized “opportunity quilt” has a circle of multi-colored stars stitched against a white-quilted background. Guild members helped to make and sew the quilt’s fabric pieces together and Lou Gostlin did the quilting. Tickets are $1 or six for $5.
“There are a lot of very talented women in this guild,” member and exhibit chairwoman Bonnie Crysdale said.
A “merchants mall” includes vendors from Moab and around the region selling fabrics, patterns, threads, books and notions. Vendors will also offer demonstrations throughout the day.
Chyrrel Meyer, who opened Canyonlands Quilts shop in July at 11850 S. U.S. Highway 191, will be one of the vendors present. Besides various notions, quilt kits and “handy gadgets,” she sells Handi Quilter machines and other sewing machines at her shop.
“You can come in and take a test drive,” with one of the sewing machines, Meyer said.
Sometimes people inherit an antique quilt from a relative and become curious about its value. As in past years, quilter and guild member Sandra Starley will be on hand to appraise quilts for a nominal fee. Starley is one of fewer than 100 accredited quilt appraisers in the nation, and one of only two quilt appraisers in Utah.
The show includes “Challenge” quilts, shown previously at the Museum of Moab’s annual two-month quilt exhibit that takes place in May and June. Quilts shown in prior Red Rocks Quilt Show exhibits will not be repeated, however.
This year’s quilt challenge theme for the upcoming museum show is titled “Ebony and Ivory,” where quilters are allowed to use only white and black fabric, as well as shades of gray.
Though the Red Rocks show is free, the guild does accept donations at the event. Eason estimates approximately 300 to 400 people attended last year. Attendees come from around the region of Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico.
A group of Moab women formed the Delicate Stitchers Quilt Guild 21 years ago (the guild now includes a couple of men, as well) to help foster the fiber art form.
There are 55 members, 25 of which regularly attend meetings held on the second Tuesday of each month at the Grand Center at 7 p.m.
The meetings include a social time beginning at 6:30 p.m., a “show and tell” period where members bring completed quilts or works-in-progress. There’s also a lesson included at each meeting. Additionally, a “sew day” is offered each month where members can work on projects or take a lesson.
“It’s a very diverse group,” Crysdale said. “We’re conservatives and progressives of different religions. It all goes way at the quilting guild. We come together with our love of quilting.”
Biennial Quilting in the Red Rocks Quilt Show brings together love of quilting
When: Saturday, March 1, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, March 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Grand Center, 182 N. 500 West
Cost: Free admission
Info: www.moabquilts.blogspot.com
“We come together with our love of quilting.”
