The art of quilting

Area quilters will exhibit their fabric artwork Feb. 6-7 at Sargent’s Nursery in Red Wing.

The more than 60 members of the Red Wing Evening Star Quilt Guild will display 200-plus items in the greenhouse, including pieced and appliqued quilts, apparel and accessories such as quilted sweatshirts and tote bags.

People also will have a chance to see antique quilts and to bring in quilts to have them appraised.

Show hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, according to Cathie Heilemann, club spokeswoman. At any given time, there should be a half-dozen or more members on hand to answer questions and talk about quilting. Demonstrations during the afternoons will include felt and regular applique work.

The biennial quilt show — the Red Wing club alternates years with a Plum City quilt group — is an opportunity for the public to see the wide variety of projects undertaken by club members.

Quilters from Red Wing, Cannon Falls, Hastings, Welch, Ellsworth and Bay City gather on the fourth Thursday of the month at United Lutheran Church in Red Wing, Heilemann said. Guest speakers offer tips and teach techniques, plus there is always show-and-tell time.

Smaller groups meet on the first Thursday at a member’s home for a “quilt-in,” she added. Usually 15 to 20 members spend the evening doing handwork while visiting.

Evening Star Quilters have participated in several group projects as well. Heilemann described the “Crayon Color Challenge” for which members each drew two crayons from a basket, then had to make a quilt using those colors. Some of the resulting pieces will be on display, along with “Nesting Robin” challenge quilts and class projects including “Block of the Month” quilts made of a variety of star blocks.

Members also make items for local charities including lap quilts and wheelchair bags for nursing homes, and bed quilts and doll quilts for other organizations, Heilemann said.

Three area quilt shops — Rather Bee Quilting of Lake City, Riverside Quilting of River Falls and Fourth & Main Fabrics of Cannon Falls — will sell items at the show. The Cannon Falls and River Falls stores are new, she noted.

In addition, certified quilt appraiser Bev Proulx from North Branch, Minn., will be appraising quilts and demonstrating a “bed turning.” For that activity, Heilemann explained, several antique quilts are spread out on a bed. Proulx will talk about each one, including the pattern and the history, then turn it back to reveal another quilt.

Anyone who would like to have Proulx appraise a quilt can bring it to the show. A formal appraisal, which can be used for insurance purposes, takes 20 to 30 minutes. People likely will sign up for a time slot and may have to wait their turn. There is a charge.

Admission to the quilt show is $3. Drawings for door prizes will take place throughout the event.

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