Viewers' Choice and Raffle Quilt Winners

The viewers' choice quilt was The Battleground Quilt by Kathy Honeycutt of Columbus, Mississippi (pictured above). Kathy's quilt was made from Pam Holland's book The 1776 Quilt: Heartache, Heritage, and Happiness. The original quilt on which this is based was seen in an East German museum by Pam and later developed into patterns. Pam tells a fascinating story in her book, and Kathy's execution of the quilt is excellent, recognized by her blue ribbon in the Mixed -Large category.

Her award for Viewers' Choice is a Janome 2010 sewing machine sponsored by Kelley's Pins & Needles of Hattiesburg.

The lucky winner of the Sweet Magnolia Cabins raffle quilt was Sue Rutka. Congratulations!

More Scenes from the Show

Our president, Shirley Wiltshire, visits with the Three Mennonite Sisters--Barbara Cline, Polly Yoder, and Julia Graber. The three inspired us with their Power Point presentation of their close -knit famiy, their love of quilting, and how they are passing on this tradition through generations of their family. They have begun a joint blog you might enjoy checking out. Barbara is staying in Mississippi a few days to teach at Julia's home. She had copies of her book, Star Struck Quilts, available for purchase. She also announced that C&T is publishing a second book for her soon.

The vendors had mountains of fabric, tempting longarm machines, and every new gadget you could desire!

Sally Henderson shows a group how she quilts with her embroidery machine. Sally brings new quilts to Show and Tell every month, and she happily shared her methods with the eager audience.

The Silent Auction area is a popular place, with 30 items up for bids. There are wall hangings, baby quilts, stuffed animals, doll quilts, table runners, and dolls. The boutique is filled with handmade items and quilt magazines at give-away prices.

Judging Results--Special Awards and Category Awards

See our website (Fiber Art & Quilt Show page) for the Awards list.

We're Ready! Show Opens Tomorrow at 10:00 A.M.

The vendors have arrived and are setting up--wow--what treats are in store!

The Hoffman Challenge has been hung. This is an exhibit of 40 quilts which travel to venues like ours.

Just a few more pieces to hang . . .

Pine Belt Quilters celebrated 25 years in October of 2009. We're still celebrating and looking forward to many more productive and educational years. This display features some of our quilt show booklets, picture albums, and other memorabilia. The two quilts pictured are from our Anniversary Challenge. Martha Ginn's (left) features photos from our past, and Jo-Ann Evans' (right) highlights milestones and presidents' tenures from 1984 to the present.

The Convention Center is bedecked with chrysanthemums AND quilts. Come with rested feet for viewing and shopping.

Kathy Kansier has already appraised two quilts hanging in the show and other quilters will be bringing in their quilts for appraisals during the show. If you haven't made an appointment, it's not too late.

We are looking forward to seeing you this weekend.

Judging Continues; Hanging Continues

Judge Kathy Ward examines a small art quilt. The large quilts have been judged and are being hung.

It's looking very good!

We are proud to have 21 entries in the Youth Category. The ages of the quilters range from 6 to 14, but all are enthusiastic. A 10-year-old asked her grandmother, "When is the judge going to judge my quilt? When do I have to be there?" Grandmother replied, "She will judge all the quilts today and tomorrow, but you won't be there." The child replied, "Oh, boy, what a relief! I thought I had to explain it to her and answer questions."

Some of the Youth quilts are pictured above and below.

The Judging Begins, Also Hanging the Show

Judge Katharine Ward previewing a category of quilts as they are being turned one at a time. She then examines each quilt and dictates her comments to a scribe for recording on the judging sheet for the quilt maker.

Meanwhile, in the Grand Hall Ike Austin of the Lake Terrace Convention Center staff does the climbing on the ladders as the PBQ members hand him the quilts in order.

Voila! A row completely hung!

Check-In Day

Check-In Day has finally arrived! Want to know what 400 quilts look like in white bags lined up in number order by category? The largest category--Pieced Team-Large--is pictured on the left. As the quilts came in, they were put in their proper place under their category sign. When a category was complete, the bags were taken into the judging room where the quilts were unfolded, had their number tagged to the lower corner and placed on a table.

Meanwhile, the Convention Center staff were assembling the pipe and drape system in the large hall and the PBQ hanging crew were assigning the location for each quilt.

When the judging process began, the judge had helpers fan out the stack so she could get an overview of the entire category. She then went back and judged each quilt with a scribe writing her evaluation and comments. As a category was judged, the quilts were taken to the large hall to be hung on the pipe and drape rods.

Judging will continue all day Tuesday and Wednesday, at which time the room has to be cleared so the vendors can set up their booths. Stay tuned for more progress!