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Gems of the Prairie Quilter Chris Venzon said she began quilting after her grandmother died, leaving her quilting materials.
“I took a class and got the bug,” Venzon said.
Venzon has now been quilting for about seven years.
More than 500 creations made by Venzon and other quilters will be on display at the East Peoria Event Center Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sept. 26 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. as the quilters celebrate their 20th anniversary Autumn Gems Quilt Show.
This year, Central Illinois’ largest quilt show will feature a bed-turning exhibit.
“Each quilt is representative of the colors or maybe styles that were from certain years over the past 20 years,” said organizer Diane Conner.
During the exhibit, information about each quilt is given as they are lifted from a bed and displayed one at a time.
“I’m fairly new to the guild,” Venzon said. “So a few years ago when I heard them talking about a bed turning, I thought, ‘What are they doing with beds?’ But it was very interesting because they just are showing different quilts and holding them up and explaining them. It’s a lot of fun.”
Quilted clothing will be on display along with traditional quilts of all sizes.
“People think quilting is just grandma sitting in the corner with her hoop, but it’s not,” Connor said.
Conner, a quilter for about 20 years, said she loves making “something from nothing.”
“My husband will be looking at a piece of a quilt I’ve made and say, ‘Hey, I liked that shirt,’” she said. “I’ll say, ‘So did I.’”
Members of the non-profit guild create items that are donated to organizations such as St. Jude and the Center for the Prevention of Abuse. Conner estimated that the guild gives about 100 quilts to St. Jude each year.
The public will also be able to view quilts made with fabric that was taken into space by Pekin astronaut Scott Altman.
Quits on display range in size from 12-inch-by-12-inch miniatures to king-sized bed quilts. Viewers vote for their favorite items in the various size categories and others including wearables and mixed media quilts.
There is also a youth category for quilters 16 and under.
“We’re trying to get younger people interested in quilting,” Conner said. “All in the youth category will get a ribbon.”
Vendors at the event will have items including jewelry, quilt racks and beads. Food, classes and demos will also be available.
“You can’t come for 20 minutes and expect to see it all,” Conner said.
For more information, visit gemsoftheprairie.com.
Gems of the Prairie Quilter Chris Venzon said she began quilting after her grandmother died, leaving her quilting materials.
“I took a class and got the bug,” Venzon said.
Venzon has now been quilting for about seven years.
More than 500 creations made by Venzon and other quilters will be on display at the East Peoria Event Center Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sept. 26 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. as the quilters celebrate their 20th anniversary Autumn Gems Quilt Show.
This year, Central Illinois’ largest quilt show will feature a bed-turning exhibit.
“Each quilt is representative of the colors or maybe styles that were from certain years over the past 20 years,” said organizer Diane Conner.
During the exhibit, information about each quilt is given as they are lifted from a bed and displayed one at a time.
“I’m fairly new to the guild,” Venzon said. “So a few years ago when I heard them talking about a bed turning, I thought, ‘What are they doing with beds?’ But it was very interesting because they just are showing different quilts and holding them up and explaining them. It’s a lot of fun.”
Quilted clothing will be on display along with traditional quilts of all sizes.
“People think quilting is just grandma sitting in the corner with her hoop, but it’s not,” Connor said.
Conner, a quilter for about 20 years, said she loves making “something from nothing.”
“My husband will be looking at a piece of a quilt I’ve made and say, ‘Hey, I liked that shirt,’” she said. “I’ll say, ‘So did I.’”
Members of the non-profit guild create items that are donated to organizations such as St. Jude and the Center for the Prevention of Abuse. Conner estimated that the guild gives about 100 quilts to St. Jude each year.
The public will also be able to view quilts made with fabric that was taken into space by Pekin astronaut Scott Altman.
Quits on display range in size from 12-inch-by-12-inch miniatures to king-sized bed quilts. Viewers vote for their favorite items in the various size categories and others including wearables and mixed media quilts.
There is also a youth category for quilters 16 and under.
“We’re trying to get younger people interested in quilting,” Conner said. “All in the youth category will get a ribbon.”
Vendors at the event will have items including jewelry, quilt racks and beads. Food, classes and demos will also be available.
“You can’t come for 20 minutes and expect to see it all,” Conner said.
For more information, visit gemsoftheprairie.com.
