2013 Paducah Quilt Contest & Show
Attending the 2013 AQS Paducah Quilt Show
Even though I’ve been to the Paducah Quilt Show many years in the past, I always enjoy the annual “big show” during what is called Quilt Week in Paducah.There is such a variety of quilt patterns and styles all of them expertly finished. This year there were over 1500 quilts entered from 44 states and 8 countries. Outside of the US Japan had the most entries with 58; quilters from Missouri lead the US in quilt entries with 31. My state, Wisconsin, had 16 entries, including some winners. In addition to the contest quilts, there were a number of special quilt exhibits. I especially liked the applique art exhibit from the Tentmakers of Cairo and the “Beneath the Southern Sky” exhibit.
The Vendor or Merchant Area is always interesting with the vendor booths of thread, fabric, and quilting machine manufacturers as well as numerous quilt shops booths offering unique or special sale items. Always present in the Merchant Area are an almost overwhelming number of quilting gadgets and devices. Some of these aids, like some specialized quilting rulers, are unique to certain quilt patterns. We quilters are continually tempted with new gadgets we “must have” to do our work better or easier. This year I resisted! This year I also took a pass on taking a workshop or seminar. The Paducah show is often an opportunity to take a class from world class quilting instructors to learn new techniques and master new patterns.
|
Although the centerpiece is the show in the convention and expo center, there are related activities going on in other locations like the National Quilt Museum, the Rotary Antique Show, the Yeiser Art Center, Eleanor Burns’ Quilt in Day Tent Show, and several fabric and quilting supply sales throughout the city. Hancocks of Paducah on the western edge of town is always a popular stop with quilters attending the show. Throughout the town during Quilt Week there is festival atmosphere with every business putting out the welcome mat for quilters and their traveling partners. Ross posted some recent articles with links to some of these other Paducah Area Attractions. See them in the table to the right.
Here’s several scenes and pictures of some of my favorite quilts from the 2013 Paducah Show.
|
One of the many Baltimore Pattern quilts entered in the 2013 Show. This one was by Lois Podolny of Tucson, AZ and won first place in Large Wall Quilts, Home Machine quilted. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Had a great time and looking forward to next year. You can go to our regular website pages to see more articles and pictures on earlier Paducah Quilt Shows. Also If you search here on the word “Paducah” you can see some of our past blog articles on the show and on enjoying the Paducah area.
By the way, I did manage to score a fabric find at Eleanor’s Warehouse Sale. There must be thousands of bolts of fabric here. I spent about 20 minutes going through fabric bolts in the $8 Batik section comparing them to my fabric swatches I brought along. But I didn’t score here but in another section suggested by my husband. I had to take the bolt outside in the daylight to see that the color was what I needed. Got it at a good price.
Happy Quilting,
Jo