SALT LAKE CITY — The ninth annual Home Machine Quilting Show, titled “Star-Spangled,” will be held in Salt Lake City from May 10-12. The consumer exhibition is a hands-on educational show for machine quilters and embroiderers.
Scheduled are 114 classes for all different skill levels taught by instructors from all over the world — with topics ranging from how to bind using a machine to how to dye your fabrics. The show also includes a quilt competition with $27,000 in cash rewards, a live auction and hundreds of quilts on display.
“These are not your grandma’s quilts,” said show manager Jennifer Pond. “These quilts are gorgeous and embellished and can sell for $25,000. Walking through is comparable to an afternoon at an art gallery. It’s eye candy.”
Sue McCarty was the 2011 Best of Show winner for her quilt “Harmony Within.” She said she often bases her quilts on literary themes, including a "Lord of the Rings" quilt called “Tribute to Tolkien,” which is currently on display in the national quilt museum.
“Quilts are art," McCarty said. "They are textile art and anyone can appreciate them."
The Quilts of Valor Foundation is the show charity this year. This nonprofit organization donates quilts to injured soldiers and veterans and those who are affected by war. On Saturday, May 12 at 12:30 p.m., the show will host a live auction and the proceeds will go to the benefit.
Also, the 60-foot Serving Project bus will be at the show and attendees will able to go inside and donate to the cause of this vehicle that was built to carry veterans to and from their medical appointments, which can be up to three or four hours away, with all the comforts of home.
What: Home Machine Quilting Show
Where: South Towne Exposition Center, 9575 S. State St., Sandy
When: May 10-12
How much: $10 day pass, $25 three-day pass; $5 ages 13-17; 12 and under are free; free admission with military ID or Quilt of Valor donation
Phone: 801-205-4701
Web: hmqs.org