The Tri-City Quilters' Guild has a fitting way to celebrate style, artistry and friendship.
It's called the Quilt Show & Merchant Mall, now in its 30th year, and it's March 22-23 at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick.
This year will be even more special, say members of the guild, as they've invited the Desert Fiber Arts organization to join this year's festivities.
Hours for the show are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 22 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 23. Admission is $5 and is good for both days. Parking is free.
Phyllis Maynard of Benton City designed the featured quilt to honor the guild's 30th year. It will be auctioned off at the show. The quilt, titled Fan-Tastic Harmony, combines fans and appliqué style with an eclectic mix of cranberry, raspberry, cream, sage and tan colors. The design gives the quilt a look reminiscent of gazing into a kaleidoscope.
After Maynard came up with the design, all the piecing, stitching, appliquéing and quilting was done by guild members Judy Gelhaus, Judy Lyon, Pat Merkel, Louise Peterson, Dana Pearson, Karen Brun and Cyndy Underwood.
"The fan block is in the guild's logo," said guild member Laurel Sutton. "And it was definitely a group effort bringing it all together."
The theme is also part of the show's title, "The Fizzy Mix of Fabric & Friends," she added.
The featured national quilter at this year's show will be Katie Pederson, the Seattle quilter who co-authored Quilting Modern. Kennewick quilter Phyllis Burnham will be the other featured artist.
There will be 35 vendors on site and a silent auction featuring 300 items. Hundreds of quilts and quilted items will be on display, and plenty of information will be available about quilting.
'There will be about 400 pieces in the show, which includes fiber arts, fine french sewing, weaving and crocheted and knitted items," Sutton said. "So many young people are getting interested in quilting and bringing back the utilitarian use of quilts."
*Dori O'Neal: 582-1514; doneal@tricityherald.com; Twitter: @dorioneal
