Lana Miller with her 2011 quilt entry, "Tribute to Jane Stickle," recipient of 2011 Best of Show, Best Appliqué and the Civil War-inspired Challenge awards

MUNCY Muncy once again is the setting for the Muncy Historical Society’s annual Quilt Show. Slated for July 20 and 21, visitors will view antique and contemporary quilts at Muncy Elementary School, 125 New St. The show runs from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, and from 10 to 4 on Saturday.

Admission includes more than 120 stunning antique and new quilts representing virtually all styles. Now in its eighth year, the event is a showcase of spectacular hand and machine workmanship, appliqu and quilting techniques, reflecting the originality of the makers and their expertise with needle and thread. Most of the antique quilts will be on display for the first time and will be accessorized with antique furnishings from both private and museum collections. On loan specifically for this show, there will be a pristine assortment of 19th century PA-pieced and appliqu vintage quilts which includes a wide variety of patterns.

The Clarkstown Messiah Lutheran Quilters will demonstrate hand quilting and Bible quilts by the Vintage Heritage Gatherers. On opening night, Don Messimer will provide live music with light refreshments and guided show tours at 6, 7 and 8 p.m.

A three-person panel will judge the quilt entries and first, second and third place ribbons will be awarded in the Quilt Challenge, Appliqu, Other Techniques, Use of Color-Traditional, Use of Color-Contemporary, Hand Quilting, Domestic/Hand-Guided Machine Quilting, Computer-Guided Machine Quilting, Wall Hanging, and Under 16 categories. The judges will award only one winner for Best of Show, selected from all first-place winners, and a Best Original Design winner. Friday attendees will nominate their personal favorite for the Viewer’s Choice award. Best of Show, Viewer’s Choice, Best Original Design and the 1st place Challenge winners will each receive a framed Robert Olmstead original watercolor and a free quilt appraisal.

Program support is made possible in part through donations and grants from the Lycoming County Visitors Bureau, the PA Council on the Arts and quilt enthusiasts.

Quilt Registration

Antique and vintage quilts, both from private collections and from the museum’s collection, are exhibited at Muncy Historical Society’s quilt show. Anyone wishing to exhibit a quilt from their private collection must complete a quilt show registration form, available by calling 546-5917 or online at www.MuncyHistoricalSociety.org. Check in for all pre-registered quilts, including “Challenge Quilts”, will be Sunday, July 15, from noon to 4 p.m., and Monday through Wednesday, July 16 -18, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or earlier by advance appointment. Quilts should include a cloth label with the name of the quilt, the owner’s name and address sewn to the back of the entry. A 4-4 ” hanging sleeve should be affixed to the quilt. Quilt pick-up is scheduled for Saturday, July 21 from 4-5 p.m. or Monday, July 23 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., at the museum.

Quilt Appraisals

Pauline Fisher will conduct pre-scheduled appraisals on old or new quilts or tops, blocks, or quilted wearable art. It takes approximately 60 minutes and fee includes time for consultation, a confidential written appraisal and a photo of the quilt. Quilt appraisals will be held Friday, July 20, 10 to 6. Call 570-546-5917 to pre-register an appraisal.

Special Workshop

This year’s workshop, on Saturday from 10 to 1, will be educational and hands-on. Artist quilters, Sheridan Walter and Judith Cole Youngman will reintroduce the Muncy Historical Society’s series of historic Muncy Compass (1855) or Muncy Baskets (1880) quilt patterns and will help attendees plan their own vintage friendship quilt. The workshop fee includes choice of MHS pattern and salad luncheon. Class size is limited and pre-registration is required.

Quilt Show Vendors

Quilt Show vendors will be catering to quilters with a wide selection of hand-dyed fabrics. The Muncy Historical Society will have its historic pattern series available, including “The Muncy Oak Leaf”, the fourth in the series.