Arts and Culture

Muncy Historical Society’s annual quilt show set for July 14-15

MUNCY -- The quaint and beautiful river town of Muncy once again is the setting for the Muncy Historical Society's annual Quilt & Textile Show. Slated for July 14-15.

Visitors will have the opportunity to view antique, vintage and modern quilts and woven textiles at the show in the Celebration Centre and Living Water Cafe, at the show's location, First United Methodist Church, 602 S. Market St..

This location features easy access, convenient and ample parking. The show runs from noon to 6 p.m. Friday, July 14, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 15. General admission is $8, and the show offers a discount for six or more guild members ($6 per member).

This juried show is open to all quilters! This is an opportunity for quilters to enter a quilt or quilts, and for the non-quilter to exhibit quilts from their private collections (see registration instructions below).

"We anticipate that show entries will be stunning antique, vintage, traditional and modern quilts, representing virtually all styles and techniques," a release from the historical society said.

Now in its 18th year, the event will be a showcase of spectacular hand and machine workmanship, applique and other quilting techniques, reflecting the originality of the makers and their expertise with needle and thread, as well.

Judith Cole Costello, quilt designer, lecturer and author, along with quilters of the Vintage Gatherers are the society's show chairs. The show is always "set" so that attendees can "step far away from the quilt to see the quilt's geometric design and color patterns as a whole composition, or to stand inches away and observe the combinations of fabric, stitching, batting density and handmade variations."

A three-person panel will judge the quilt entries and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ribbons will be awarded in the Quilt Challenge, Applique, Other Techniques, Use of Color, Hand Quilting, Domestic/Hand-Guided Machine Quilting, Computer-Guided Machine Quilting, Wall Hanging, Youth and Modern categories. The judges will award only one winner for Best of Show, selected from all first-place winners, a Best Original Design winner and a Judge's Choice winner. Friday attendees will nominate their personal favorite for the Viewer's Choice award.

2023 Challenge Quilt Theme

The 2023 Quilt Challenge theme was "Replication/Inspiration" -- a quilter's choice to register a modern quilt based on an interpretation, duplication, imitation, copy or inspiration by an antique or vintage quilt, a piece of pottery or artwork, etc. The "challenge entries" will be accompanied by a photograph or the real "source of inspiration."

Always More Than

a Quilt Show!

Always more than a quilt show, the show activities have been selected to appeal to all ages, and young people are encouraged to attend. This event is designed to be a glorious, colorful and educational experience. As with every year, there will be several special exhibits and demonstration areas.

This year's show will feature Karen Shipton, a member of the Vintage Gatherers. Although Karen began quilting in 1979, she stopped quilting twice since then, once for almost 10 years. The first time that Karen tried hand quilting she thought "Who would want to do that?" Later, a friend asked her to attend a quilting class. Here she is, 44 years later, and still hooked on the whole quilting experience.

There is a saying that "a quilt isn't a quilt until it's quilted," and while Karen believes that to be true, she'll be displaying her "Dear Jane" quilt top which will be exhibited again in 2024 as a completed quilt. Karen will have a selection of her hand-quilted show winners on display and is scheduled to demonstrate hand-quilting on Friday and Saturday, at 1 p.m.

Pat and Arlan Christ, nationally recognized quilt historians, collectors, authors and teachers, will be exhibiting quilts from their "inspiration" collection. In their own words, the Christs are passionate about "retrieving knowledge to secure the heritage of antique quilts... the prime objective of The Christ Collection." Their goal is "to preserve the legacy of quilts from past generations by sharing the history that surrounds the art of quilting."

This year's show will have "demonstration adventures"... hand- and machine quilting, paper piecing, binding and applique and "Dear Jane" secrets... all designed for young people and adults alike. Although scheduled, many of the demonstrators will be available during most of the show hours to provide instruction and consultation.

The following demonstrations will take place during the show:

-- Spinning & weaving demonstrations, Friday, noon and 2 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

-- Home Machine quilting, Friday, 1 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.

-- Binding, Friday, 1:30 pm.

-- Hand quilting Friday, 2 p.m.; Saturday, Noon

-- Mitering Corners, Friday, 2:30 p.m.

-- Paper Piecing, Friday, 3 p.m.; Saturday. 2 p.m.

-- Joining binding, Saturday, 10 a.m.

-- 30+ tips for better quilting, Saturday, 12:30 p.m.

New to this year's show, you will be able to participate in a Chinese auction and take a chance on the art raffle. Also, back by popular demand, is the fabric rummage sale!

Joining the show this year will be Happy Valley Quilting, an online quilt store specializing in reproduction fabrics; Cherie Troester, offering original patterns with instructions fully illustrated, handmade jewelry and much more; and American Ribbon & Fabric, bringing a large supply of fabrics, notions, foam, gift items, ribbons galore, cards and a broad array of decorating items for inside and out.

Visit www.MuncyHistoricalSociety.org for show updates, the demonstration schedule and vendor listings.

To Register A Quilt(s)

To exhibit a quilt(s) from your private collection you must complete a show registration form, available by calling 570-546-5917 or online at www.MuncyHistoricalSociety.org. Registration forms and quilt entries must be received by the Muncy Historical Society from July 5 to July 8, 2023, from 9 a.m. to noon, or earlier by advance appointment. Quilts should include a cloth label with the name of the quilt, the owner's name and the address sewn to the back of the entry. A 4-4 C' hanging sleeve should be affixed to the quilt. Quilt pick-up is scheduled for Saturday, July 15, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. or by appointment at the museum.