Kelly Gallagher-Abbott, curator

The Thread Tails and Vapor Trails quilting contest honors the 100th anniversary of Naval Aviation (Navy, Marines and Coast Guard). Quilters were invited to create a Naval Aviation themed quilt. The quilts debuted at the Blue Angels Homecoming Event Nov 10-12, 2010.

"Into the Future" by Nita Markos, Best of Show

This quilt challenge was the idea of Charlie Hoewing, wife of Vice Admiral Gerald Hoewing. Vice Admiral Hoewing USN (Ret) is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida. Charlie, a quilter and museum volunteer, thought it would be wonderful to have a quilt challenge centering around the 100th anniversary of Naval Aviation.

The Centennial will be celebrated throughout 2011 at numerous events across the nation. Selected quilts will be displayed at as many of these events as possible. Additional quilts will travel to naval and other military museums and celebrations, as well as quilt shows and exhibitions across the nation.

Quilt A Wish Collection

LaNelle Herron, curator

Quilters Against Breast Cancer is one of the programs of Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation. Scores of quilters donate their time and talent to help Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation grant wishes to terminally ill breast cancer patients.

The Quilters Against Breast Cancer program provides quilters the opportunity to transform damaged wedding gowns into beautiful works of art. QABC provides the fabric, quilters provide the imagination! Quilts made by volunteers are then offered for sale by QABC with proceeds going toward Making Memories’ wish fulfillment fund. Selected quilts are reserved for display in QABC’s traveling exhibit, The Quilt a Wish Collection. You don’t want to miss these gorgeous quilts.

“Shop Challenge”

The State of Maine Quilt Shop Hop takes place each April, and includes independent quilt shops from all over the state. Each participating shop makes a quilted piece for the “Shop Challenge,” following common guidelines and fabrics. This year, Maine Quilt Shop Hop is proud to feature fabrics from the “Quilts of Valor” line from Windham fabrics. See the many different and exciting interpretations that resulted from a similar palette of fabrics. Shop hoppers vote on their “Viewers Choice”; winners will be noted with ribbons.

Since 2003 The Quilts of Valor program is helping to make a difference in the life of men and women in the American armed services and their families. So far through the efforts of the foundation quilters across the country have made over 31,000 “Quilts of Valor” and presented them to service members from all military branches, including World War II veterans, Vietnam veterans and active duty service members. For more information about the Quilts of Valor Foundation, please visit www.QOVF.org.

Maine’s Quilt Heritage – Part 1
Sponsored by
Busy Thimble, Litchfield, ME

Cyndi Black and Wendy Caton Reed, curators

Since 1986 Wendy and Cyndi (and a lot of volunteers!) have spent many Sundays traveling the highways and byways of Maine searching for Maine’s Quilt Heritage. They documented quilts in schools, libraries, historical societies, museums, even ventured onto a couple of islands! They found some treasures and many utilitarian quilts that provide a cross section of the history of Maine quilts. We’re pleased to display some of these quilts at this year’s show.

You'll also want to see Maine's Quilt Heritage: Quilts from Maine Quilt Documentation Project at the New England Quilt Museum where more of these antique quilts will be on display July 14 - October 16.

“Meet the Quilter”

Continuing a tradition started in 2003, we again recognize a PTQG member in the “Meet the Quilter” exhibit.

Wendy Caton Reed, a member of Kaleidoscope Quilters, an Area 2 chapter, is the 2011 "Meet the Quilter".

You'll want to see the special exhibit of her work.