The numbers are in

With the final quilts entered, the count for the High Cotton Quilt Show is 200 quilts, all made by members of the Staying in Stitches quilt guild. There is a huge variety, including large pieced and applique quilts, small pieced and applique quilts, art quilts and miniatures.

We have six exciting vendors coming, plus a food vendor who will be set up outside the building. Our vendors are:

Carol Simons, with Longaberger Baskets in Statesboro
Sew Much More, from Garden City, GA
Material Things, from Jacksonville, FL
Grannie Suzannies, from Florida
Island Threads, from Pawley's Island, SC
The Traveling Quilt Boutique, from Montgomery, AL

And our food vendor, Pepper Jack's, of Portal, GA

The countdown begins!

With one month to go before the show, we are in high gear. Final count for quilts in the show – more than 190! Most of these will be judged, by a NQA judge, and there will be awards in each category, as well as several special awards.

We have five vendors lined up, coming from Florida, South Carolina and Georgia, and they will have a nice assortment of quilting related items. And the guild boutique will have a great selection of Christmas ornaments and other items made by guild members for sale – great time to start Christmas shopping. Plus the boutique will have a large assortment of books and magazines and quilting items provided by members of the guild.

Throughout both days there will be demonstrations, including English and machine paper-piecing, hand-quilting, how to prepare a quilt for longarm quilting, and free-motion quilting on a treadle sewing machine.

Our thanks to the Pieceful Hearts Quilt Guild, of North Augusta, SC., which is loaning us their quilt stands for the show.

Thanks also to the businesses supporting the show through ads in the program, we'll have a list of them soon.

And thanks to the Statesboro Library, which will allow us to have a display on quilting in their display case throughout the month of October.

The show is Friday and Saturday, Oct. 15-16, at the Honey Bowen Building, Statesboro-Bulloch County Parks and Recreation Department, 1 Max Lockwood Dr., Statesboro, GA 30458. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day, and admission is $5.

And the winner is – High Cotton Quilt Show

Members of Staying in Stitches made a major decision at the March meeting, the name of our quilt show. As this is the guild's first show, there are a lot of decisions to be made, decisions that will be important to this show's success, and will set precedents for future shows, if we decide to have them.

For a name, we wanted something that would be distinctive and represent our guild. "High Cotton" is a great choice, as the guild is located in a major cotton-producing area, Bulloch County, GA. And of course, like all good quilters, we have cotton fabric stacked high in our sewing rooms!

Since most quilters will either go to, enter or help organize a quilt show at some time, we'll share the behind the scenes look at what goes into putting on a guild's first show. By the way, we are a small guild, about 40 members, and only five years old.

The timeline so far:

Late 2008, members suggested we hold a show in 2010, to tie in with our fifth anniversary. A majority approves and a chair is appointed.

Early 2009, a pattern for our opportunity quilt is selected. Guild members are asked to make blocks, either hand appliqued or machine-pieced nine-patches. The quilt is assembled and quilted in time to take to the Georgia National Fair in October, and to some other shows.

A local non-profit is selected to receive funds raised by the quilt. The Ogeechee Area Hospice will receive half the net, the other half will be used for expenses of the show.

Early 2009, a site committee looks at potential locations for the show. A site is selected, final dates approved and the space reserved.

Late 2009, we made a list of committees and members were asked to sign up for one or more. Committees begin to meet to develop categories and rules for the exhibit, to acquire a judge, and schedule vendors.

January 2010, the show chair provides the program at the guild meeting, reviewing what has been done and what will have to be done to prepare for the show. She also gives tips to the members on preparing quilts to be in the show. Because this is our first show entries will be limited to guild members.

Work begins on publicity, we set up a blog page and email address for the show and prepare a list of places to send show announcements.

A judge is selected and we are put on her schedule.

March, the committee provides several potential names for a vote at the guild meeting. With the name in place we develop a logo and begin sending out press releases to national quilt media.

The overall committee meets. So many decisions! We will have a guild book sale/sale table, and door prizes, but will not have a silent auction or members table. Hours and admission price are approved and the schedule for turning in quilts, judging and the show confirmed. Advertising rates for the show booklet are approved and members asked to begin selling ads.

Staying in Stitches Quilt Show dates set

The Staying in Stitches Quilt Guild, of Statesboro, GA, will hold its first quilt show on Friday and Saturday, October 16 and 17, 2010.

The show will be held at the Honey Bowen Building, part of the Statesboro-Bulloch Recreation Department, on Max Lockwood Drive in Statesboro.

The show will include displays of quilts made by guild members, vendors, demonstrations, sale tables, door prizes and more. A special opportunity quilt will raise funds for the Ogeechee Area Hospice and the guild.

Check back often for updates and details!