A patchwork of quilt and textile pleasures beckon at weekend show

The Heart of the Valley Quilt and Textile Arts Show on Jan. 17-18 is expected to draw about 2,000 people to Modesto Centre Plaza.

Billed as the Central Valley’s largest quilt show, the event will include clothing, vendor displays, merchandise, demonstrations and more. Held every other year, the shows have been offered since 1980 by Modesto’s Country Crossroads Quilt Guild and attract people from beyond the region.

“We have people from all over Northern California. Some are quilters, some family members and friends of local quilters,” event Chairwoman Kathryn Sandner said in a email interview. “We have several … who come from other states.”

Among the featured artists will be quilters Louise Nelson and Paddy Shopher. Special exhibits this year include “Row Round Robin” quilts and interpretations of the Modesto Arch and its “Water, Wealth, Contentment, Health” message.

For the round robin exhibit, quilters in groups of six rotated their quilt tops to each group member to add new rows, in keeping with each quilt’s design theme.

“Different aspects of each theme can be seen row by row, as interpreted by the six quilters involved. Being creative and staying flexible is useful here,” Sandner said.

The downtown Modesto Arch inspired guild members to create quilts interpreting the message on the historic span, she said. “Some designs reflect our local geography and economy, while others present a more abstract view of the terms’ meanings.

“A variety of materials, including cotton, silks, paint, inks and embellishments were used.”

A quilt made by some of Crossroads’ 170 members, “Kaleidoscope Garden,” will be among items raffled.

The art of quilting continues to attract people, young and old, Sandner said. Guild members range in age from mid-20s to 90s, and include men and women.

“There are as many different reasons for someone to begin quilting as there are people,” Sandner said. “For some, it starts with making a baby quilt for a new arrival in the family. Others may have had a lifelong love of textiles, which included sewing garments and then expanded into quilting.

“Some have quilted since they were children, while others take it up in retirement. For many, there were quilts in their past, while for others, it is a newly found passion.”

This story was originally published January 9, 2015 at 2:30 PM with the headline "A patchwork of quilt and textile pleasures beckon at weekend show."