Written by Juanita Fox, director of media experiences and storytelling
Crazy quilts will be the feature for this year’s Quilt Fest and Airing of The Quilts, says Sally Mittelstadt, a Garden Spot Village resident and event champion.
Crazy quilts became popular in the late 1800s and were made with scraps of brightly colored silk scraps–essentially the fabric leftover from ladies’ dresses and ballgowns. The patches were embroidered together to create brightly colored designs.
Garden Spot Quilters are honored to have several crazy quilts available for a display and presentation. One of the quilts, which includes embroidery of 1888 and Grand Army of the Republic Women’s Auxiliary, is in extremely good condition. A collection of crazy quilt blocks from that era use vibrant lime green, fuchsia and turquoise silks.
The historic crazy quilts will be displayed in the Chapel.
Local art historian Gloria Mast will offer an illustrated lecture at 10am in the Chapel. Entitled, “Crazy Quilts & Scrap Boxes,” the presentation will keep the audience in scraps and stitches as it explores the craze for Crazy Quilts and the role of the Silk Mills in the 1800s.
Airing of the Quilts: Weather permitting, quilts will be “aired” by residents throughout the Garden Spot Village community from 9am-3pm. During the last “Airing of the Quilts” nearly 800 quilts were displayed. Members of the quilt group will display their quilted handiwork in the Chapel.
Quilt Sales: Attendees can explore an impressive array of quilts and quilted items for purchase in the Village Park from 9am-3pm. Add a new quilted piece to your home or find a gift for that special friend.
Quilting Demonstrations: Watch skilled quilters demonstrate hand quilting and comforter knotting. Then, join the action and help knot a comforter. (Hosted in the Village Park)
Shopping and Dining: Browse Linden, Share & Care and the Artisans Corner and discover a unique selection of gifts, gently used household items and handmade gifts, art and collectibles or enjoy a delicious meal at Garden Spot Village’s Refresh Coffee Bar or The Harvest Table.
Juanita Fox, director of media experiences and storytelling for Garden Spot Communities, brings a wealth of marketing and storytelling experience. She is the managing editor for Destination Magazine as well as the co-host for Garden Spot’s Purpose in Retirement Podcast.