We hope you will join us for another wonderful quilter's weekend in Bishop Hill on May 14th, 15th, & 16th when the Prairie Queen Quilt Club and Bishop Hill Arts Council present the 20th year of this special weekend. This year’s theme for 2010 Quilt show is called “Spools, Stars and Sunflowers, Too.” The quilt show will feature more than 100 quilts, including special categories for antique quilts and quilts made by kids. Quilting techniques and tools will be demonstrated, in addition to a kid’s corner, quilt basket raffle, door prizes, and charm squares for visitors to the quilt show. Admission for the quilt show is $3 for adults. Hours are from 10am to 5 pm on Friday and Saturday; from 10am-4pm on Sunday. Friday's visitors will be able to vote for their favorite quilts. Viewer’s Choice ribbons will be awarded to the top quilts in different categories on Saturday.
While you are in Bishop Hill for the quilt show, take time to explore the village, have a wonderful lunch, and enjoy other events planned for that weekend. There will be quilt related exhibits throughout the village for your enjoyment; many of Bishop Hill's businesses and museums also will be participating in the "Charm Square Walk". Visitors to these shops will be able to pick up a free 5-inch charm square. A free pattern will be available at The Village Smithy Quit Shop.
Special quilt show weekend events at the Village Smithy Quilt Shop will include quilting demonstrations. Professional Quilt appraiser and Lecturer, Janette Dwyer, of Atkinson, IL will be available to appraise quilts at the Steeple Building first floor south room on Friday and Saturday of the quilt show. Appraisals cost $35 per quilt. Appointments can be made by calling The Village Smithy at (309) 927-3851.
In conjunction with the quilt show, Vagnhall Gallery in the historic Blacksmith Shop will host guest quilter, Patricia Hobbs, a popular, published quilting author from Macomb, IL who is a recent winner of the Nauvoo Quilt Festival. The exhibit will be on display throughout the weekend. The exhibit is free.
Be sure to get a chance at winning a beautiful quilt with the Bishop Hill Arts Council Quilt Raffle. Tickets cost $1 each or 6 tickets for $5. “Stars over Georgetown Path” is this year’s colorful raffle quilt. This hand pieced patchwork quilt utilizes shades of green, red and gold with antique accents. Exceptionally fine quilting is featured on this queen-sized quilt that was crafted in Kalona, Iowa. This beautiful work of craftsmanship will be displayed in Bishop Hill until a winner is chosen on Sunday, December 12th. Proceeds support Bishop Hill Arts Council programming.
In addition to their regular exhibit of textile artifacts including quilts, The Steeple Building Museum will feature quilts from the "Yellow Rose Challenge". These quilts were made using a challenge fabric to create a rose-themed quilt that celebrates the heirloom yellow rose seen blooming throughout the village in the spring. According to family history of Morris Nelson, the rose was found on one of the farming outposts, called New Providence, by his parents when they purchased the farm. His mother carefully tended and preserved the rose bush. Later, Morris' wife Cleo, brought starts of the rose bush into Bishop Hill, where it has thrived. The yellow rose is now enjoyed by visitors and residents every spring. The challenge is a fundraiser for the Bishop Hill Heritage Association. Quilts will be on display all during the month of May. For more information on the Rose Challenge, contact The Village Smithy at (309) 927-3851.
So be sure to make plans now to attend a this special quilter's weekend in Bishop Hill, wander through the village and enjoy all the events, exhibits, and be "charmed' by village businesses and museums. And, oh yes; don't forget to stop and smell the roses.