Quilt Show Week

I always look forward to the AQS Quilt Show in Lancaster, PA/USA (AQS Lancaster).  There are also other quilt related activities around Lancaster during the show week.

I always seem to plan to do a lot and run out of energy and get very overwhelmed.
Here is a brief recap of my week....

First we attended the AQS Show.  We focused on browsing the vendors and planning our actual shopping.  The disadvantage to this is that when you return a day or two later somethings - especially good bargain priced batting - maybe sold out.

We also walked up a couple of blocks to see 82 quilts from the Espirit Collection at the Lancaster Quilt and Textile Museum.  Unfortunately, this is the last time that they will be displayed together before going into storage.  The Lancaster Quilt and Textile Museum is closing.  The exhibit was titled The Art of the Quilt.  After being in the commotion of the quilt show, what I noticed was peace and reverence for the quilts.  It was if we were encouraged to sit, gaze and relish the quilts in their simplicity of line and accomplished quilting.  Quite the contrast, to be sure.

Another day, we went to the east side of Lancaster to the Lancaster Spring Quilt Show.  They had an exhibit of World War II quilts.  He happened to be there when Sue Reich was giving a tour.  It was nice to be able to hear the stories behind the quilt.  She had published a book about her collection and research entitled,  World War II Quilts.  Mary Kerr was also there to discuss her quilts in her book A Quilted Memory.  There were vendors and challenge quilts on display here as well.  One of our group took a class from Stephanie Farrell of Country Stitchin.

We were also able to visit the vendor mall at The Lancaster Quilt Show at the Continental Inn.  There were more vendors here to help us get that additional pattern or gadget.

Another day was spent at the AQS show, where we focused on judged quilts on exhibit and picking up the items we had decided to purchase.

Some of us were also able to shop hop around town.

It has been another good week in Lancaster.  It'll take a week to recharge.
Stay tuned for the my next post which will highlight some of the items, gadgets and patterns that we saw.