Quilters’ talents to shine during annual quilt show
This year’s opportunity quilt was designed and quilted by Carolyn Mann, a member of the Coshocton Canal Quilters. It will be up for raffle at the Quilt Show.
COSHOCTON – What started as a small group of women in 1987 has grown to more than 120 members of the Coshocton Canal Quilters. They will be having their 29th annual quilting show on Friday, Aug. 12, Saturday, Aug. 13, and Sunday, Aug. 14 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and noon to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.
This year’s theme is, “Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows” and is based off of the 1963 Leslie Gore song of the same name.
“We wanted something upbeat and happy, but also something out of the box to challenge our quilters,” said Sue Carlisle, a member of the Canal Quilters. “We wanted them to depict in their work what makes them happy.”
The show will be at the Presbyterian Church in Coshocton on the corner of north Fourth and Chestnut streets. Cost is $5 for adults and free to children 12 and under. There will also be boxed lunches for $6.
Each year, the opportunity quilt depicts the theme of the show and this year is no exception. Carolyn Mann designed the 95 by 101 inch quilt that features four colorful lollipops in the center. The background is a modified bargello style with a colorful top and a green gradation on the lower half. A border of vines and flowers complement the theme of the show.
“Carolyn Mann is a very talented quilter,” said Carlisle. “She does a lot of art quilting and does a lot of her own design.”
Mann chose the fabrics. Patsy Cruxton, Nancy Hatem, Linda Mansfield, Marty McConnell, Pat Roach, and Shirley Stutz put together the strata that were used by Mann to make the background. Mann made and appliquéd the large lollipop flowers. Carlisle added the border, vine and leaves. She then quilted the whole quilt and bound it. Mary Louise Newell and Jane Kreidler made the yoyo flowers for the border. Stutz attached the buttons to the flowers and several people finished the quilt by attaching the flowers.
Tickets for a chance to win the opportunity quilt are $1 or six for $5.
In addition to the quilt, Mann had silk scarves made to sell at the show with the same pattern as the opportunity quilt. She also made miniature panels with the quilt design so people purchase have a small wall hanging in their home.
“There are a lot of advantages with quilting that are therapeutic,” said Carlisle. “It also helps with loneliness. You can’t be lonely when you quilt and it keeps your brain sharp.”
In addition to the opportunity quilt, the show will feature more than 200 quilts in 20 different categories. A new category this year, featuring nine quilts, is the original design category.
There will be a variety of vendors, and Jamie Hoy will be returning this year with his woodworking and quilter racks.
“He is now going to quilt shows all over the place,” said Carlisle. “It all started by going to our quilt show.”
There will also be a kids’ scavenger hunt again this year. Members of the Canal Quilters take pictures of a piece of various quilts and kids try to find the quilt matching the picture.
Carlisle said that the attendance is growing every year and that last year, more than 600 people attended the event from Columbus, Canton, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and even Texas.
“Word is getting out that we have an excellent quilt show,” she said. “We have a lot of talented and prolific quilters. We have a lot of quilters in our area that spend money here locally.”
The Veterans’ quilt display will feature about 25 quilts which will be given to local Veterans after the show ends. The quilters also made pillowcases which will be showcased across the balcony of the sanctuary and will be given to the local women’s shelter after the event.
“When I first started quilting, I thought it was something I can give to my children when I’m gone, but it’s become so much more than that,” said Carlisle.
The Coshocton Canal Quilters meet the second Tuesday at Roscoe United Methodist Church at 6:30 p.m. They have speakers, new technique demonstrations, and business meetings.
Category: Clubs & Organizations
