It’s really quilt exciting
There’s sew much to enjoy at Quilts by the Sea in Newport
By Barbara B. Covell
For the TODAY
It’s the 31st annual quilt show, and it is bigger than ever. What started in 1991 as a small collection, now features 300 handmade quilts that will be on display at the Newport Recreation Center this Friday and Saturday, Aug. 2 and 3.
“It originally was a small quilt show at the Newport Middle School, then moved to the fairgrounds,” said Jane Szabo, co-chair for this year’s show. “It got so big that we then moved to the Newport Recreation Center. It’s the largest space available and has good lighting, plus the staff are wonderful to work with.”
These works of art represent a unique theme and a labor of love by the 200 members of the Oregon Coastal Quilters Guild, who enjoy the fellowship and opportunity to promote the knowledge and appreciation of quilt making. The majority of members participate in the show. The criteria for entering is that each quilt must have the requisite three layers, hand pieced and quilted or machine pieced and quilted.
Evelyn DePaulo is this year’s feature quilter, chosen by the guild chairs. The feature quilter is someone who has been active in the guild with a body of work that showcases her skills and accomplishments. DePaulo has been awarded the guild’s “Golden Needle” as best hand quilter and a former Best in Show recipient. Her quilt collection will be on display at this year’s show.
Every year the guild has a different challenge and this year it was the “Four Seasons,” according to Darcy de la Rosa, guild president.
“Seventeen members participated,” she said. “The guild has voted on the top three and they will be revealed with ribbons at the quilt show.”
The guild has a number of smaller groups for quilters to gather for fellowship and the opportunity to work on special projects. One of them is the Bayshore group with 25 to 30 members who picked their own challenge.
“This year they chose a theme from children’s literature,” Szabo said. “Together they made a quilt that coordinates with the story.”
The quilt will be donated to Grandma’s House of Central Oregon, providing safe, stable shelter for homeless and abused women and children ages 12 through 24. It will be on display at the show, then donated along with the children’s book that inspired the quilt.
There are a total of 46 quilts that will be on display from small group challenges.
Kathie Kurler, a Portland certified judge will award a Best in Show for two different categories: wall hung quilts and bed quilts. Judging took place on July 30, then all quilts were moved and hung at the recreation center.
Last year’s two Best in Show winners are Gloria Zirges and Tina McCann. Zirges’s wall quilt was an original design from an old family picture.
“McCann’s bed quilt probably took a year to piece and hand quilt,” de la Rosa said. “A quilt that is machine pieced and quilted takes months. They are always a labor of love.”
Every year the guild has a raffle quilt. This year’s “Bridge of Quilts” is based on a Dennis McGregor commissioned poster of the Newport Bridge. Designed and created by Meralee Wilson, Jan McQueen and Jane Szabo, the 66” X 72” quilt features a lighthouse, a ship, a mermaid and other nautical themes in three dimensional miniature quilts. Tickets can be purchased at the show for $1 apiece or six for $5 and will be drawn on Saturday at 3 pm. Winner need not be present to win.
The guild has a goal that every veteran in Lincoln County will receive a quilt. So far, 600 have been awarded and this year's display will have four different quilts on display created for the Veterans Project.
A “Children’s Corner,” where kids can learn quilting and have a pillow as an end result, will give parents extra time to enjoy the show.
Finally, the show will also have a Guild Boutique, vendors and food for sale from Siren Lure Tea House. A special guild activities booth will include applications for guild membership.
Quilts by the Sea is open from 9 am to 5 pm on Friday and 9 am to 4 pm on Saturday at the Newport Recreation Center, located at 225 Avery Street. The entry fee is $8, children younger than 12 may attend free if accompanied by an adult.
For more information, go to www.oregoncoastalquilters.org.