A Few Show Changes

Due to high water along the lower Ohio River at Paducah, the floodgates that protect the city are being installed. To protect the safety of visitors to the American Quilter's Society annual Quilt Show & Contest, events usually held at the Paducah-McCracken County Expo and Julian C. Carroll Convention Center have been moved.

Best of Show, category winners, and bed quilts will be on display at the Pavilion at the corner of 4^th Street and Executive Boulevard. Vendors that were in the Expo Center will be there, too.

At Kentucky Oaks Mall, 3470 James Sanders Boulevard, The Alliance for American Quilts display will be at Circuit City. The Pilgrim/Roy 2012 Challenge display and AQS Lancaster 2011 winners will be at Office Max, also at the mall. Vendors that were in the convention center will be located at Circuit City. Vendors that were in the Pavilion will be at Office Max.

All classes and lectures and All Star Review will be held at First Baptist Church, 2890 Broadway, where the Wall Quilt contest and winners will be displayed.

The Food Tent and Live Auction will relocate just two blocks to the Farmers Market located behind the museum at the T-intersection of 2^nd Street and Monroe.

As always, there will be Vendors on Kentucky at 200 Kentucky Avenue, also known as the Finkel Building, and the Hurt Book Sale.

Events planned for Carson Four Rivers Center and The National Quilt Museum will continue in place. The Yo Yo ladies and Silent Auction will be at The National Quilt Museum.

Shuttles will run between all venues so visiting quilters may travel safely.

A little water can't stop the 2011 AQS Quilt Show in Paducah. Come see us!

The AQS Quilt Show - Des Moines... A Photographic Review

If you missed the AQS Quilt Show in Des Moines, October 6 - 9, here are a few photos from the show.

Mark your calendar for next year's Des Moines show:  September 28 - October 1, 2011.

Customize your own slideshow design

And the Des Moines Winners Are....

This morning the winners of the AQS Quilt Show and Contest in Des Moines, Iowa, were announced just prior to the opening of the show. AQS President Meredith Schroeder welcomed the quilters to the show, and then introduced Greg Edwards, CEO of the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau who welcomed the quilters to Des Moines. He told us the CVB ordered this beautiful weather for the show this week.

Christine Brown thanked the show sponsors and judges, and then announced the winners in the contest. Congratulations to all of the winners in the 2010 AQS Quilt Contest in Des Moines!

Award Winners

2010 AQS Quilt Show and Contest – Des Moines, Iowa

October 6-9, 2010

Best of Show Award
#407 HULA HIBISCUS, Lisa Calle, Pottstown, PA

Best Hand Workmanship Award
#104 SEVEN SISTERS, Karen Capps, Madison, WI

Best Machine Workmanship Award
#459 NOUVEAU QUATTRO ALFABETICO, Janet Stone, Overland Park, KS

Best Longarm Workmanship Award
#446 PARROT’S ISLAND, Claudia Pfeil, Krefeld, Germany

Best Wall Quilt Award
#308 VINTAGE VALUES, Linda M. Roy, Knoxville, TN


Bed Quilts, Hand Quilted
First #106 BLUE BIRD GARDEN, Dorothy Dailey, Burnsville, MS
Second #121 DRESDEN PLATE, Beverly J. Willis, Mansfield, OH
Third #107 MASAMA GIRLS, Linda Kay Gapp, Lincoln, NE

Bed Quilts, Machine Quilted
First #206 STARS FOR ARDEN, Ronda K. Beyer, Tualatin, OR
Second #217 NORTHWEST PASSAGE, Diane Johnston, Pahrump, NV
Third #219 GEESE IN THE MOUNTAIN GARDEN, Barbara E. Lies, Madison, WI

Wall Quilts, Hand Quilted
First #310 ORANGE POPPIES, Sharon Ann Waggoner, Springfield, IL
Second #302 SIMPLE GIFTS, Peggy Garwood, Fairfield Glade, TN
Third #309 HUMMERS SCATTERING SPARKLE, Ann Seely & Joyce Stewart, Deweyville, UT

Wall Quilts, Machine Quilted
First #471 RED PETUNIAS, Juanita Yeager, Altamonte Springs, FL
Second #429 CALAMARI TIME, Karlyn Bue Lohrenz, Billings, MT
Third #421 ANCIENT WEAVER, Ann Horton, Redwood Valley, CA

Fabric Art
First #541 SPRING ENCOUNTER, Ruth Powers, Carbondale, KS
Second #512 KANDINSKY AND ME, Carole J. Floyd, W. Des Moines, IA
Third #552 RED SKY, Heidi Zielinski, Stevensville, MT

Honorable Mentions
#115 RETURN TO THE ATTIC, Marsha D. Radtke, Crossville, TN
#215 BIRDS ‘N BLOOM, JoAnn Hoffman & Marilyn Hoelscher, Hill City, SD
#304 MRS. BROWN’S LOVELY DAUGHTER, Victoria Miller, Northfield, MN
#454 PANIERS du SOLEIL, Maribeth Schmit, Cedarburg, WI
#550 SUNLIT, Carol Taylor, Pittsford, NY

The rules are available for all of the 2011 AQS Quilt Contests; click here to view or print the rules.

Don't Miss the Quilt Contest Entry Deadlines

We're heading to Des Moines, Iowa, for our third annual AQS Quilt Show there... but Erin Ulrich, our Contest Coordinator, is staying at the office to process entries for the Lancaster and Paducah Quilt Shows.

The entry deadlines are:

Lancaster, PA:  November 5, 2010

Paducah, KY: January 3, 2011

If you have any questions, you can call Erin at 270-898-7903, ext. 174, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (central time).

Send your entries to:
     American Quilter's Society
     PO Box 3290
     Paducah, KY 42002-3290

Click here to print the rules and entry form for Lancaster, and click here for the Paducah rules

Good luck with your entries - you can't win if you don't enter...

It's AQS Quilt Show Time in Des Moines, Iowa

The AQS Quilt Show kicks off with the announcement of the winners of the quilt contest at 8:40 a.m. on Wednesday (Oct. 6) in Hy-Vee Hall at the Iowa Events Center. Advance registration has closed and all of our quilt show supplies have been loaded onto the truck. We'll soon be flying to Des Moines so we can complete the setup and hang the 1,000 quilts that will be on display.

Here are some words of welcome from the AQS Quilt Show staff:

Erin Ulrich, Contest Coordinator: "Good luck to all the Des Moines contest semifinalists – I can’t wait to see which of your beautiful quilts will go home as AQS prize winners!" 

Kelly Meyer, Vendor Coordinator:  "Get ready to shop until you drop... the Merchant Mall will have every quilting supply you will ever need or wish to have." 

Laura Davis, Registration Coordinator: "We've packed our bags and we're heading off to Des Moines! Come see us at the Workshop Desk to purchase any last minute classes, lectures, or special events. Don't forget, we've been able to add seats to our Eleanor Burns: Quilt Blocks on American Barns special event on Wednesday night, so come and purchase your tickets when you get to the show. We will be at the workshop desk on Tuesday from noon til 6:00 pm if you want to come get your tickets early!" 

Marcelle Cashon, Education Coordinator: "Hi Everyone, welcome to Des Moines! We are excited to be here again for our third show. If you need to pick up tickets for Special Events, Lectures, or Workshops,  come by the Workshop Desk to see me." 

Mary Beth Head, Graphic Artist: "Hey Quilters! Be sure to come see me in the AQS Souvenir Booth. Be the envy of your friends and guild with your new shirt, tote, books and other souvenirs!" 

Terry Guill: Director of Show Operations: "Welcome to Des Moines! You will love the 1,000 quilts on display, the merchant mall, classes and lectures. We are glad you are here! 

Bonnie Browning, Executive Show Director: "We can't wait to see you at our quilting party in Des Moines. Have a great time at the show!"

Be sure to wear your most comfortable shoes - we say "dress to the ankles and take care of your feet."

See you all in Des Moines next week!  

LAST CHANCE! Des Moines Registration Closes on Monday

This is it - the very last weekend to pre-register for the AQS Quilt Show and Contest in Des Moines! The last day to register for advance admission and classes will be Monday, September 20 at 10:00 a.m. central time. There are still some spots available, but they are filling up fast. Click here to register online, or call Laura Davis at 270-898-7903 ext. 132 to register by phone.

After Monday, you will need to check at the Workshop Desk in Hy-Vee Hall at the Iowa Events Center for ticket availability. Admission can be purchased at the door.

We are looking forward to an exciting show in Des Moines, October 6 - 9, and we can't wait to see you there!

Register today!

Call Now to Register for the Knoxville Show, July 14 - 17, 2010

 

The Knoxville AQS Quilt Show & Contest is just around the corner and we hope you are planning to attend! Registration is a breeze by phone! If you just call 270-898-7903, a representative will be happy to assist you whether you are registering for the first time, or are adding classes to your schedule. You may also register for your friends by phone as well! Don't miss out on this easy way to get your admissions, workshops, lectures, and special events before they sell out.

Registration for workshops, lectures, and special events is also open online, by fax (270-898-1173), or by mail (AQS, PO Box 3290, Paducah, KY 42002-3290).

We have some great teachers for Knoxville, including:
Alex Anderson, Eleanor Burns, Elsie M. Campbell, Susan K. Cleveland, Kathy Delaney, Cynthia England, John Flynn, Renae Haddadin, Klaudeen Hansen, Vicki L. Johnson, Gwen Marston, Margaret J. Miller, Andi Reynolds, Bethany Reynolds, Joan Shay, Sarah Ann Smith, Helen Squire, and Merikay Waldvogel.

Ticket are selling quickly for our special events - seating is limited so reserve your seat today:
Wednesday, 5:30 - 10:00 p.m.: Step Back in Time Progressive Dinner & More (3 historic homes)
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.: Quilters' Fun Night with Alex Anderson & Bonnie Browning
Thursday, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.: An Evening with Alex Anderson
Friday, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.: Down on the Farm with Eleanor Burns
Saturday, 9::00 - 10:30 a.m.: Brunch with Gwen Marston
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.: All-Star Review

Any questions? Call Laura Davis or Marcelle Cashon at 270-898-7903.

Today's News from AQS

AQS Authors featured on www.thequiltshow.com: Starting today you can see Episode 609 on TheQuiltShow.com featuring Judy Woodworth on Freeform Feathers and Bonnie Browning with Happy Endings.

You'll get to see Judy's beautiful quilting. Judy is a new AQS author and her book, Free Motion Quilting Handbook, will be out this summer.

Bonnie will be sharing her no-math method of making sure your borders fit every time and several edge finishes that are featured in her book, Borders & Finishing Touches 2.

There is plenty to learn from these two AQS authors...so tune in today to http://www.thequiltshow.com/ .
More photos from the Paducah Quilt Show: Dana Lynch was the roving reporter at the AQS Quilt Show for thequiltshow.com and she interviewed Annabel Baugher. Annabel won a 3rd place award in the Professional Patchwork category at the very first AQS Quilt Show in 1985. Today she is 90 years old and still quilting. Her quilt, Forever Spring, was juried into the Bed Quilts, Hand Quilted, category this year. Click here to go The Daily Blog of TheQuiltShow.com to read more and see photos of Annabel and her beautiful quilt.

Paducah Quilt Show Photos

Here are a few photos from around the show. Quilters from all 50 states and 14 other countries are enjoying the beautiful quilts, classes, and Southern hospitality this week in Paducah, Kentucky.

Best of Show winner Sue McCarty up at 5 a.m. for a live interview on Wednesday morning.

The hallway of the Paducah Expo Center

Kaffe Fassett and Liza Lucy are signing my copy of their new book in the Pavilion on Thursday.

Meet the Yoyos of Paducah in the Atrium of the Convention Center.

Winners from the AQS Quilt Show in Lancaster are exhibited on the 1st floor of the Convention Center.

Viewing the wall quilts in the contest on the 2nd floor of the Convention Center.

The food tent gave us some shade while we enjoyed BBQ, burgers, ribs, curly fries, and more.

Don't miss getting The Works Strawberry Shortcake from the Boy Scouts!

Paducah Winners Now Online

The winners of the 26th Annual AQS Quilt Contest are now online -- click here to go directly to the list.

Congratulations to Sue McCarty, Roy, UT, who won the Janome Best of Show with her quilt, Tribute to Tolkien, and to all of the other winners in this year's contest.

We'll will have some show photos posted later today...come back and see what's happening at the quilt show.

Volcano in Iceland Affects Quilt Show Instructor

Mother Nature has affected the AQS Quilt Show. Flights from England have been suspended due to the danger of flying through the volcanic ash that has spread over Europe. Lynne Edwards, who is scheduled to teach at the AQS Quilt Show is not able to fly out of England to get to the show. You can click here to check out what is happening.

We are therefore cancelling these classes that Lynne Edwards is scheduled to teach:
Wednesday, April 21, 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.: #9151 Keep on Folding
Thursday, April 22, 1 - 4 p.m.: #7506 All Cut Up Nine-Patch
Friday, April 23, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.: #3507 Patchwork Set in Stone
Saturday, April 24, 8:30 - 11:30 a.m.: #7515 Patchwork in Perspective

Lynne sends her regrets to all of her students. She was all packed and ready to fly out today. Her airline says the earliest she could possibly fly would be Friday, and there is no guarantee that they will be able to fly then.


If you are registered for any of these classes, AQS will send you a refund after the show; our show office is closed during quilt show week since all of our staff is working at the Workshop Desk. If you would like to switch to a different class, there will be a sign at the Workshop Desk showing which classes are still available and the Workshop staff will assist you with transferring to another class. Otherwise, you can expect a refund the week after the show.

Kaffe Fassett, who also lives in England, flew to the U.S. on Thursday, so he beat the eruption of the volcano by a day. There are still some tickets available for Kaffe's lecture on Wednesday evening - you can order a reserved seat by calling the Carson Four Rivers Center at 270-450-4444, or you can purchase a general admission (not reserved) ticket at the Workshop Desk during the show. The Workshop Desk will be open Tuesday, 12 - 8 p.m., and will be open from 8 a.m. to show closing time on show days.

The vendors begin moving into the Dome Pavilion today - I can't wait for you all to see this new facility!

Hope to see you at the Awards Presentation at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Carson Four Rivers Center. We are going to have a real treat that evening - a special performance, Variety! Music & More by the Badgett Playhouse from Grand Rivers, KY., followed by the announcement of all of the winners in the quilt contest.

See you there. It's Quilt Show time in Paducah!

Bonnie Browning, Exec. Show Director

Ribbon Cutting Today for Dome Pavilion in Paducah, KY

The ribbon cutting at the new Dome Pavilion was celebrated on this beautiful sunny day,

April 14, 2010, at 3:00 p.m.

Mark Thompson, Director of Paducah Parks Services, welcomed the crowd to the festivities. Mark oversaw the Pavilion project and thanked all of the city departments that were involved.

Mayor Bill Paxton addressed the crowd, and acknowledged the many people who worked on a very short timetable to complete this facility in time for the AQS Quilt Show.

Commissioner Watkins told the group that Paducah "gets it" when it comes to tourism and what facilities like this do to make Paducah a better place to live.

Representatives from Arizon Structures from St. Louis, manufacturers of the Pavilion, thanked the City and the crews with whom they worked to complete the facility on time.

M.P. Lawson Construction was the contractor on this job. They recognized the crew members that were on the job from beginning to end.

Peck, Flannery, Gream, Warren, Inc. was the architectural company for the project...and once again they oversaw a project for the City that was completed on time.

Mayor Paxton and Commissioner Watkins wielded the giant scissors to cut the ribbon to officially open the new Dome Pavilion in Paducah. Representatives of the companies involved in the construction, as well as staff members from the American Quilter's Society looked on.

Refreshments were enjoyed inside the Pavilion following the ribbon cutting.

AQS will officially receive the keys to the Pavilion on Thursday when Freeman, the show decorator, arrives to begin marking the floor for placement of the quilt exhibit areas and vendor booths. Vendor load-in will begin on Sunday.

Following the ribbon cutting, I went out the back door of the Pavilion to check out the restroom facilities. These trailers are air conditioned and not any regular porta-potty. There is water to wash your hands, pictures on the wall, and they are very clean.

Just outside the handicapped door is a handicapped restroom, complete with ramp for easy access.

One of the local reporters asked me what I thought of the Pavilion. I can't wait to get it all set up and full of quilts and vendors. No space we ever used inside the Executive Inn will compare with how light and bright this new facility is.

As many of you prepare to head to Paducah, the city of Paducah is putting the final touches up to welcome you. Next week, the city truly does become Quilt City USA! Are your bags packed yet?

Don't forget to take our photo quiz on "How Well Do You Know Paducah?" If you don't know the answers, look for them when you are in town next week. The sights in the photos will be all around you.

Bonnie Browning, reporting from the Ribbon Cutting of the Dome Pavilion at 3 p.m. today

The Pavilion is almost ready...

The AQS and Freeman (show decorator) staffs visited the new Pavilion on Wednesday.

Here's what we saw...

The front entrance has a revolving main door, with a handicapped entrance next to it. These special doors keep the air inside the dome.

AQS President Meredith Schroeder visits with Paducah Parks Director Mark Thompson. Mark has spearheaded the project of preparing the ground and getting the Pavilion into place in time for the Quilt Show.

Billy Schroeder, Rick Loyd, Bill Schroeder, and Troy Holshouser get to see the 37,000 square feet of space in this new facility.

Natural light comes through the top of the Pavilion; there are additional lights hanging around the perimeter of the facility. While there is plenty of light in the daytime, for evening events, vendors may want additional lighting in their booths.

In this photo, work is underway to level the driveway behind the facility. This is the load-in portico that will be used by vendors to load their materials into the Pavilion. When the outside doors are open, the interior overhead door remains closed; then the outside doors are closed and the interior doors are opened - this maintains the air inside the building. Since AQS is the first group to use this new load-in procedure, we have added an additional day for unloading the vendors who will be in the Pavilion. Contact Kelly Meyer (kelly@AQSquilt.com) if you will be in Paducah and want to beat the crowd by unloading in the Pavilion on Sunday, April 18. Load-in will continue on Monday and Tuesday. Vendors should watch their e-mail for more information from Kelly about load-in at the Pavilion.

Today, the concrete pad for unloading was poured around two sides of the load-in portico. This will allow several vehicles to back up to the pad to unload at one time.

They are almost ready to lay sod around the Pavilion. By the time you all arrive, the booths and carpet will be in place, ready for a quilt show. A special quilt exhibit by Kaffe Fassett & Liza Prior Lucy and the winners of the 2009 AQS/Hobbs Bonded Fibers Fashion Show will be displayed in the Pavilion.

The main entrance to the Pavilion is just down the street from the AQS Bus Stop. You will be able to pay admission inside the Pavilion if this is your first stop at the show.

It's almost Quilt Show time in Paducah - have you made your plans to attend?

Still need lodging? Call the Paducah Visitors Bureau at 1-800-PADUCAH and ask about the AQS Home Bed & Breakfast program - lodging in private homes here in Paducah.

See you soon -
Bonnie Browning
Executive Show Director

Congratulations AQS - Top 10 Event in Kentucky!

Paducah-McCracken County Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director Mary Hammond and Paducah Mayor Bill Paxton present Meredith Schroeder, President of the American Quilter's Society, with a certificate acknowledging the AQS Quilt Show & Contest as one of the Top 10 Events in Kentucky.

American Quilter’s Society National Quilt Show
April
Paducah, Kentucky

Paducah is a a mecca for quilters and quilt enthusiasts during the American Quilter's Society Annual Quilt Show & Contest each April.

In addition to the juried exhibit of the finest workmanship and most creative quilts in the world, the festival features a merchant mall, workshops and special events throughout the community.

With extended hours during the AQS Quilt Show week, internationally recognized National Quilt Museum highlights the vigorous international rebirth of quiltmaking that began in the 1970s.


The quilt show runs from April 21 - 24, 2010. Admission at the door is $9 for AQS members, and $11 for non-members. For more information, go to http://www.americanquilter.com/ . Advanced registration is now closed; check at the Workshop Desk in the Paducah Expo Center (One Executive Blvd.), at the show for ticket availability. The Workshop Desk will be open on Tuesday, April 20 from 12 - 8 p.m., and opens at 8 a.m. on show days.

Tickets can still be purchased for the three evening events: An Evening with Kaffe Fassett, Eleanor Burns Live on Stage, and Music & More: Ricky Tims Concert. Order your reserved seats for these events by calling the Carson Four Rivers Center at 270-450-444, Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

More Photos from Lancaster

If you missed the first AQS Quilt Show in Lancaster, PA, here is a pictorial review of the show.

Women's Journey in Fiber special exhibit - this exhibit included many differentl kinds of fiber and techniques.

Pat Delaney, winner of the Best Machine Workmanship Award

Checking out the techniques

Viewing the quilts

Studying the workmanship in Filigree - the Best of Show winner - by Marilyn Badger, St. George, UT

New Quilts from an Old Favorite: Burgoyne Surrounded special exhibit,

a contest held each year by The National Quilt Museum in Paducah.

AQS President Meredith Schroeder presents a check to Beth Bigler, Volunteer Co-coordinator, of the Red Rose Quilters Guild. Thank you to all of the guild members for helping with the show.

Did you find a new tool or fabric at the show? The AQS Quilt Shows are an excellent place for you to find the latest and greatest tools and products for quiltmaking.

There were more than 200 contest quilts on exhibit and another 200 quilts in special exhibits.

Before the show opened, the AQS staff readied the show souvenirs and books in the AQS booth.

The show pins and tote bags were so popular that we ran out of both.

We are already working on next year's show - March 16 - 19, 2011.  You can make your hotel reservations now by calling 1-800 PA Dutch. The PA Dutch Convention & Visitors Bureau coordinates the housing using the Passkey system. Please remember that the shuttle schedules are set based on the reservations on Passkey - that's how we can count how many buses we need on any specific route.

Work Progresses on the New Pavilion

Last night I drove by the location of the Pavilion in downtown Paducah and stopped to snap a photo to keep you all up to date. They  now have the concrete floor poured - it is covered here with plastic to protect it from some rain that was in the forecast.

The Pavilion will arrive soon. Watch for another update the week of March 29 - after we return from the Lancaster show.

Online registration for the Paducah show is open.

Update on the New Pavilion in Paducah

This morning, Caryl Bryer Fallert took this photo of the first concrete truck arriving at the new Pavilion site here in Paducah; Caryl can see this site from her porch. They are pouring concrete for the floor for the Pavilion which will arrive later this month. Work is progressing slightly ahead of schedule, according to a report by Mark Thompson, Paducah Parks Department, at last week's City Commission meeting.

You can see from the photo that the new Pavilion will be located on the city side of the flood wall on the block where the AQS Bus Stop and Police trailer sat previously, right in front of the Executive Inn (now closed). The Bus Stop will be relocated to the opening in the flood wall at the entrance to the hotel.

We will post more photos as work progresses.

It is spring - that means there are many quilt shows. The AQS staff will be in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the week of March 22. Then just three weeks later, the 26th Annual AQS Quilt Show will open (April 21). It's a busy time and we hope to see you in Lancaster and/or Paducah.

Registration is open for the 26th Annual AQS Quilt Show in Paducah. You can register online or call the AQS Quilt Show office at 270.898.7903 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.