Mineola Quilters Hold 10th Anniversary Show

This past Saturday the Evening Star Quilters Guild held their at the Mineola auditorium. With approximately 120 members, the show is the guild’s primary fundraiser for the entire year.

Over 100 quilts were on display, some machined but most handmade and separated into over 20 categories for judging based on size, style and the manner in which the quilt was made.

Taking place the day before the show, the judging process consisted of Holice Turnbow, a representative from the National Quilting Association and six members of the Evening Star Quilters Guild.

But Turnbow was not the only one handing out ribbons as attendees were also given the chance to cast their vote for “Viewer’s Choice” awards.

Dinah McCann’s “Wildflower Garden” won first place and a Viewer’s Choice award while Huntington Quilters Guild members submitted a Beach Boys themed quilt also took first and a Viewer’s Choice.

In addition to the main competition entries, two side competitions were also going on, including one for the Operation: Wounded Warrior charity organization and the “President’s Challenge” thought up by Evening Star Quilters Guild President Kathleen Dehler in honor of the group’s 10th anniversary.

Entries in the “Presidents Challenge” could be no larger 20 inches (20 being a multiple of 10), incorporate 10 of something and use tin netting since it is the metal associated with a 10th anniversary.

“I always get to shows in the first few hours,” Dehler said with a laugh, “because they get packed and the vendors might get cranky later on.”

Members of the guild are also required to make at least one quilt for charity each year, with 78 quilts being donated in 2011.