It's not a blanket, it's a quilt at the annual show

As published in the Red Rock News
 
Happy New Year Red Rock News readers! The holidays – and for that matter the month of December - were a whirlwind. My first meeting - right out the gate - was with the Red Rock Quilters. The Red Rock Quilters, made up of a dedicated group of women, has been in existence since 1986. After 36 years, they haven’t slowed down, not one bit!
 
Whether you are a life-long resident or visiting our area, please join us for one of Sedona Public Library’s most well-attended and loved events, the Annual Quilt Show. Come in out of the cold and see more than 65 amazing hand-crafted quilts on display against the architectural beauty of your Library. Enjoy this amazing 27th annual exhibit from January 10 through March 5, 10am to 6pm, Monday through Thursday and 10am to 5pm, Friday and Saturday.  Sedona Public Library is located at 3250 White Bear Road in West Sedona.
 
Over the past week, I’ve been watching the cavalcade of quilters come into the Library to drop off their quilts. I’ve had a chance to chat with Red Rock Quilters members; and I have learned about how long they’ve been quilting; their other passions and hobbies; the amazing sizes of their pieces, and how they can be simple designs or recreations of photographs in fabric. Above all else, I learned that you never, ever call a quilt a blanket. It’s art!
 
When you visit the library, pick up a printed guide and take a self-directed tour of the quilt show. Marvel at the quilts hanging in the Main Room of the Library from the rafters and walls. The guide provides a photo and description of each quilt and will indicate if a quilt is for sale.
 
This year, the Red Rock Quilters have added something new to the exhibit: Demo Days – on January 28 and 29 - you can learn about quilting history and different quilting techniques. There’s also a Shop Hop Passport that visitors and quilting aficionados can take to seven area businesses for great savings on quilting supplies.
 
As you tour the show, make sure to vote in the “Viewers’ Choice” Awards. Vote for your favorite quilt in each of three categories: 1) large quilts; 2) small/wall quilts; and 3) favorite challenge quilt. This year’s challenge is “Recycling.” Judges will also select one quilt for the Arizona Quilters Hall of Fame Award.
 
Here are a few quilts you do not want to miss:
 
“See What You See Under the Sea” by Magdalena Castillo-Cockrum, is a beautiful underwater themed quilt featuring a Gustave Klimt-inspired sea turtle in the center of the piece. From the artist, “I was intrigued by Laura Heine’s turtle collage pattern. It was an intriguing, fun and challenging project to undertake. I love turtles and this has become my favorite quilt wall hanging.”
 
“Inked Amor” by Patsy Kittridge is a casual snapshot of two lovers captured on fabric. From the artist, “It came from a challenge to use a paint chip color and title. I picked a dark blue chip entitled "Inked."  I love this tough looking guy with such sweet tats saying "amor", "love" and "mom".” 
 
“Celestial Stars” by Tracey Thie, is a swirling group of geometric circles straight out of a Steve Ditko-inspired Doctor Strange comic book. From the artist, “I'm always up for a challenge so I decided to try this. Oh my!! Challenge indeed! I actually used the same fabric line as featured, which is something I usually don't do, but it is so colorful and bright. I agonized forever over how to quilt it. I ended up quilting it with clear thread (a first for me) on the colors and white and black thread on the black bits. It wasn't until after I finished that someone told me about 'smokey' clear thread...so another lesson learned. I didn't quilt parts of it because I wanted them to poof out.”
 
Be sure to tell your family and friends about this opportunity to do something fun, artistic, and free, available for nearly two months at your library! Please remember to observe social distancing, and masks are highly recommended. This won’t inhibit your ability to peruse the amazing local talent on display. Be our guest, we look forward to seeing you!
 
Sedona Public Library is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your gifts supplement the funding and support we receive from the City of Sedona, Coconino and Yavapai County property taxes, and Friends of the Sedona Library. Visit sedonalibrary.org/donate to make an online gift. Thank you!
 
Sedona Public Library
Column for January 7, 2022
Written by Jan Marc Quisumbing, Program & Marketing Coordinator