TOWNSEND, Tenn. – On May 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Quilters Road Show at The Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend will showcase unique quilts and patterns for quilt enthusiasts and curious visitors, experts will be on-hand to answer questions about patterns and history of quilts, and demonstrations will be given to show how to construct your very own unique quilt.
This event will display a sample of the more than 85 quilts that are being presented to Congressional Medal of Honor (CMOH) recipients and their families at their annual convention in Knoxville this September 10-13. Each of the current living recipients was “adopted” by a quilter or group of quilters across East Tennessee who made a quilt to thank him for his extraordinary service to his country and fellow soldiers. The quilts are provided by the Smoky Mountain Quilters Guild, Seymour Quilt Club, Tellico Village Quilters and Piecemakers of Sevierville.
Admission to the Heritage Center during the show will also be free, where visitors can experience the history of the area through an interactive and educational tour of the facility where they will see first-hand how the area has evolved from 5,000 B.C. to 1930 – from Native American inhabitants to European settlers.
“It’s a special event to hold at the Heritage Center,” said Tami Vater, director of tourism for the Blount Partnership. “Each quilt has its own unique story and adds depth to the history of the area. It’s a fascinating way to look into the heritage of our community, and after learning about the quilts, visitors can delve further into our history with a tour of the Heritage Center.”
Have a quilt on-hand that you’d like to know more about? Merikay Waldvogel, international quilt historian, will answer questions and reveal the history of your quilt, the approximate value, and its geopgraphical origin. Quilt curator and pattern designer Jan Wass will be working along side Merikay to answer inquiries about quilt patterns and designs.
“The 6th Quilters Road Show promises to bring new quilt treasures for review by Merikay Waldvogel and her team,” Smoky Mountains Quilters Guild member Kathy Dittmaier said. “We have quilt enthusiasts that have been at each road show and we are looking forward to what is presented again this year.”
If you want to learn how to make a quilt, the members of the Smoky Mountains Quilters Guild will be armed with their sewing machines to show how to make squares from patterns and how to turn them into a quilt of your very own. Visitors will have a chance to view the guild members’ demonstration free of charge at the road show. Visitors are not required to bring any quilt making materials or supplies, but if you would like to work with the guilds construction team, bring your basic sewing supplies and your machine.
Members will also have their sewing machines to demonstrate how to make lap quilts. Lap quilts are great for beginners and are constructed from pattern squares, perfect for draping over a chair or couch. The after the road show, the lap quilts will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House in Knoxville. The Smoky Mountain Quilters have donated over 2,000 quilts to the Ronald McDonald House through the years.
“Quilt making is not only an art form, it’s a tradition in the Smokies, and quilts are passed down from generation to generation,” said Vater. “People come from all over to visit this road show and to bring their own quilts. It’s a great way to learn about your family’s history and how to continue to carry on the tradition of quilt making.”
The Quilters Road Show is open to the public and free of charge. The event will take place at the Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center, located just off of East Lamar Alexander Parkway in Townsend. Visitors can take a step back in time to the colonial era and to the time of the Native Americans through the educational and entertaining galleries, shows and events offered at the Heritage Center. For a calendar of events, or for more information, please visit www.GSMHeritageCenter.org or call (865) 448-0044.