SOUTH PADRE ISLAND — Sisters Nancy Luckasson and Patricia Dobbs, from Wisconsin, steadily walked through rows of detailed and colorful handcrafted quilts while stopping to take pictures of their favorite pieces.
With more than 300 quilts to choose from, Luckasson and Dobbs said it’s difficult to choose which one is their favorite, but they agreed one thing was for certain.
They said there is a lot of talent on display that showcases a variety of color schemes and patterns.
The RGV Quilt Guild is hosting the last day of its 38th annual RGV Quilt Show at the SPI Convention Centre — today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
According to RGV Quilt Show publicity chair Laural Powell, each year the quilt show has anywhere from 1,500 to 2,500 visitors.
There were more than 25 vendors at the quilt show this year.
Vendors David and Kathy Cianbrone have been selling items such as quilts and books at the event for the past two years.
“We’re not doing it for the money,” Kathy said. “We just love it and have fun. It makes us feel good and it’s something to look forward to.”
Powell said the event has been growing over the years.
“The first day has been busy with lots of people coming through,” Powell said. “Quilting is really starting to become seen more as an art form and getting to see all of the different creative efforts of everyone is what I think draws people in.”
Suzanne Evers, from Mission, visited the event Friday with her friends and purchased colorful pieces of fabric.
She said she has been visiting the quilt show for the past 18 years.
“I love seeing all of the vendors that come down to the Valley so I can buy fabric. I just keep coming back,” she said with a laugh and a smile. “All of the ideas that you get from seeing the different quilts that other people have made is just inspiring.”
Activities
From 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., Renee Iannarelli will have a “Rhythm” class where she will teach attendees about creating small blocks placed together to create a sense of movement in quilts.
Attendees can register for the class by visiting https://tinyurl.com/rkc7abn.
There will also be a fashion show at 1 p.m. that showcases wearable items created by RGV Quilt Guild members.
Writer and journalist Teresa Duryea Wong will conduct a lecture and trunk show at 2 p.m. named “Japanese Quilts.”
Additionally, the event will have hourly demos, a silent auction, door prizes, an area called Totes, Bags and more, another area called the Bargain Barn, community service quilts and an opportunity quilt, which will be placed in a drawing.
Admission for adults costs $10.
For teens ages 13 through 18, admission costs $5.
Admission is free for children 12 years old and younger.
Tickets for the opportunity quilt drawing cost $1 each or $5 for six tickets.
According to Powell, the quilt show raises money to help support programs the guild organizes.
She said each year the RGV Quilt Guild also awards scholarships to two high school seniors who plan to attend college and study in the field of textile arts.
Several large patriotic quilts are placed on display at the entrance of the event.
Powell explained that guild members make military service quilts such as those and donate them to military service members throughout the year in the Valley.
MORE INFO
FUTURE DATES OF THE RGV QUILT SHOW
2021 — Feb. 18 through 20
2022 — Feb. 18 through 19
2023 — Feb. 17 through 18
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
TODAY
8:30 to 11:30 a.m. — “Rhythm” class
9 a.m. — Show opens
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Hourly demos
1 p.m. — Fashion show, voting closes
2 p.m. “Japanese Quilts” lecture and Trunk Show, silent auction closes, Totes, Bags and More closes
3 p.m. — Opportunity Quilt drawing, ribbons awarded
4 p.m. Show closes
For more information, visit www.rgvqg.com.
