AROUND THE FRAME: QUILT MADNESS!

For some March is all about college kids dunking balls through a hoop, but not for quilters! This March there are quilt events to attend and enjoy and many of them are free.

First the Sisters of the Cloth Quilt Guild’s exhibit at the Jeffrey R. Krull Gallery located in the downtown Allen County Public Library continues through March 30. The quilts are quite impressive.

The third Saturday in March is International Quilting Day. For the past 21 years quilters from the tri-state area gather to celebrate the day. This year the Noble Nimble Thimbles Quilt Guild of Albion, Indiana is hosting the 22nd Annual event. It will be held at the Kruse Automotive and Carriage Museum and WW II Victory Museum located on 1/69 just south of Auburn. Author, instructor, designer and quilter Edyta Sitar is the featured speaker. Vendors, ugly fabric exchange and challenge, block swap, and show-and-tell are among the scheduled events. Of course it wouldn’t be a quilt show without quilt-related door prizes to be won by lucky attendees. Guest registration has been extended, but don’t delay. Go to www.noblenimblethimbles.com for more information.

Now with the price of gas so high, if you like to enjoy a bit of food, drink and entertainment with your quilting experience, never fear a unique experience awaits you a tad closer to Waynedale.

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Born Again Quilts is offering complimentary “quilt autopsies” from 10-3 p.m. that day at the studio located upstairs in the Macedonian Tribune Building, 124 West Wayne Street downtown across from J.K. O’Donnell’s. This is your opportunity to bring in quilts that are in less than stellar shape and have them investigated and gain practical tips on how to preserve and/or restore them.

There will also be quilts sold at $20 or less that are beyond restoration to benefit the Allen County SPCA as part of the One Step Ahead of the Dog project. These “shabby chic” quilts would look attractive piled at the foot of a bed or displayed where they are cherished for their color, pattern, and age rather than viewed with disdain for their less than perfect condition.

For the first time J.K. O’Donnell’s will be celebrating St. Paddy’s Day on Saturday with their family-friendly block-long tent outside of the Tribune Building. Live music and bagpipers make it a festive event. The tent opens at noon. Kids 12 and under are free, adults are $5 and admission includes a free drink.

March 31 is Trolley Shopping Saturday in downtown Fort Wayne, another opportunity to jump off and on the trolleys and explore the retail shops, museums, galleries, and restaurants that make downtown Fort Wayne special. Born Again Quilts will be open from 11 – 5 p.m. and you are all welcome to stop by.

The weekend of March 31- April 1 is the String-Along Quilt Guild in Valparaiso’s biennial show at the Porter County Expo Center. This year’s theme is Patchwork & Posies. Two years ago I had a great time at this show with my two cousins. Admission is $5. For more information find them on facebook at “String-a-Long”.

If you know of a quilt/fiber/textile event you would like mentioned in this column, contact me through my E-mail link at the Waynedale News or call me at 260-515-9446.