The big area event this week is the AQS Show in Des Moines, Iowa. Okay, maybe "area" is a bit of a stretch, but I call anything within a 200 mile radius doable. Especially when it involves quilts and when a show is on this grand a scale.
I drove up to Des Moines yesterday for the show. When I walked in the door to the main arena, I was greeted with the sight of row after row of vendors. Toward the front of the hall was the AQS exhibit of Burgoyne Surrounded quilts. Quilters used that pattern as a jumping off place to create a new look.
At the back of the hall was an exhibit of quilts and the Artful Bra Project. I’m sure you know of the Artful Bra
Artful Bras Project but just in case you don’t, quilters from South Carolina decorated bras to bring awareness to the issue of breast cancer. Some deal with the aftermath, some with the loss of a friend or relative, some with enduring the disease. And like everything else in life, it helps to have a sense of humor. I encourage anyone who has the opportunity to go see this exhibit. We also published Artful Bras: Hooters, Melons and Boobs, Oh My! A Quilt Guild’s Fight Against Breast Cancer to celebrate this exhibit.
In a room off of the main hall was my favorite exhibit of quilts. There were three aisles of Amish Quilts. Old, delicate quilts showed the patina of age along with stunning use of color. One quilt was a scrappy log cabin made with one-fourth-inch finished logs. Each center of the block was a teeny-tiny red square. The quilt was bed-sized. Think of it. Think of the hours that she must have spent with her needle in hand stitching those half-inch pieces into blocks. I wonder how long it took her, what thoughts ran through her mind as she stitched. I wonder how she laid it all out as she sewed her blocks together. Did she put everything on the floor? Did she have a mother, sister, or friend to help? Oh how I wish I could go back in time and talk to these quiltmakers.
The AQS show also exhibited antique red and green quilts that were to die for. The artistry represented by these quilts is truly amazing. The appliqué work was exquisite as was the quilting. Miles and miles of thread had to be involved. I wish I could show you pictures but they have these rules about photography and using pictures for blogs and websites.
After viewing the quilts, my friend Peggy and I shopped. While there was definitely something there for everyone, it seemed like reproduction fabric and oriental fabric (Daiwabo or Lecein) were taking center stage. Vendors had kits and bundles of fat quarters. There were hand-dyed fabrics, boxes and boxes of 1/2-yard cuts, sewing machines, tools and books. Oh my, there were books there. I'm proud to say that The Kansas City Star books were well represented. In one booth, we even had our own section.
I ran across my friend Jennifer Keltner in aisle 400. She's with American Patchwork and Quilting. She was sitting in her pajamas stitching away. Why pajamas, you might ask. I have the answer! American Patchwork and Quilting will be launching their One Million Pillowcase Challenge in the middle of November. Go to their website AllPeopleQuilt.com/pillowcases to discover what this is all about. Or stay tuned because I already have my sewing group committed to this project and I'll let you know what happens.
Like all good things, my day at Des Moines had to come to an end. Peggy and I wrapped up the day with dinner at the Iowa Machine Shed Restaurant. I met my friends from Bloomfield, Iowa, there. We got to compare shopping notes and laugh and reconnect. What a great day!
After dinner, we drove back to Kansas City. We began our trip driving in rain and ended it the same way. A drive like that is so much easier when it's done with a good friend and Peggy is one of the best.
Are you from Bloomfield? That's where my parents and their families are from. I really enjoyed the quilt show too! I do wish the AQS contest exhibits weren't spread out so much.