Quilt Odyssey—Hershey, PA

As I (Teri) sit here in Germany at Kara's computer, reflecting on the quilt show we just attended in the UK, I realized that I had photos from the show that I visited a few weeks ago that were waiting to be shared. The quilt exhibit at Quilt Odyssey in Hershey, PA, was absolutely exquisite this year. I was greatly inspired by the work shared at this show; I hope you will be as well. Enjoy this virtual tour of the exhibit hall.

The Merchant Mall did not disappoint.

It's always a joy to visit with Pat and Arlan Christ—and their antique quilt collection is fabulous, too!

This year's exhibit: "A Tisket–A Tasket"

Blossoms from the Far East, by Barbara Korengold

Best of Show

Detail: Blossoms from the Far East, by Barbara Korengold

Ruffled, by Linda Roy

Best Hand Quilting

Detail: Ruffled, by Linda Roy

Taking the Unmapped Road, by Margaret Solomon Gunn

Best Artistry, Longarm Quilting

Detail: Taking the Unmapped Road, by Margaret Solomon Gunn

Dove at the Window, by Barbara Zygiel

Best Traditional

Oh, Be Joyful, by Cindy Seitz-Krug

Best Machine Quilting

Barn Window, Wendy Sanden

Best Innovative

Mesa Verde Cliff Palace, by Kathy Adams and Joanne Baeth

Best Pictorial by Machine

Detail: Mesa Verde Cliff Palace, by Kathy Adams and Joanne Baeth

Take Five; by Elsie Campbell, Kathleen Baughman, Marilyn McSpadden, Pam Goggans, and Donna Lynn Thomas

Group Quilt, First Place

Moonflower, by Molly Hamilton-McNally

Large Quilt, Predominantly Appliqued; First Place

Farm Market Blooms, by Nancy Simmons

Large Quilt, Predominantly Pieced; First Place

Dineh (Navajo) Madonna, by Denise Havlan

Wall Quilt, Predominantly Appliqued; First Place

Cardinal Points, by Gail Stepanik and Jan Hutchison

Two Person Group Quilt, First Place

Song of Summer, by Bethanne Graves Nemesh

Wall Quilt, Mixed/Other Techniques; First Place

Chasing Rainbows, by Teri Cherne

Wall Quilt, Predominantly Pieced; First Place

President Nancy Raley, left, and Past President Ann Corbett of the Baltimore Appliqué Society were demonstrating appliqué skills and answering questions about the BAS exhibit, Bits of Baltimore and Beyond. To see many of the quilts in the exhibit, click here.

There were so many fabulous quilts, and I indeed took pictures of nearly all of them. In the interest of time and space, however, I have only shared the top winners. But there were a few that I must share, because of our love of appliqué, and Baltimore Album Quilts, in particular. 

Tribute to Ann, by Judy Bankson

Detail: Tribute to Ann, by Judy Bankson

Old Glory Under His Wings, by Julee Prose

Detail: Old Glory Under His Wings, by Julee Prose

Civil War Bride, Nechama Cox

Detail: Civil War Bride, Nechama Cox

Lenora's Roses, by Sara Madson

Detail: Lenora's Roses, by Sara Madson

To read more about this Rose of Sharon block pattern, click here.

12 Years in Baltimore, by Caroline Nihiser

Quilt Odyssey has been a huge part of my quilting journey. I went for the first time during its second year of operation—it was a brand new experience for me, as I had only started quilting a couple of years earlier. For years afterward, I would go and take classes. It became a regular girls' weekend, and it would be doubly fun because my parents live in Hershey, so we all would meet for dinner and then they would host the pajama party.

There is something special about this quilt show. When you go, you almost feel like you are visiting family. One big quilting family. It is well-worth the trip to Pennsylvania to visit Hershey the last weekend of July. Maybe I'll see you there some time!