Special Exhibits
The Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza
& Mancuso Show Management Are Proud to Present:
37th Anniversary Challenge : Can You Dig It? - Courthouse Quilters
Members were asked to create a quilt inspired by a randomly selected 45 rpm record. The piece could focus on the song from either side, the singer or group, or a lyric that spoke to them. This trip down memory lane delivered a diverse collection of quilts from modern to traditional, serious to whimsical, all showcasing creativity.
2025 Mystery Quilt Shop Hop - Stitch Central
2025 was the 3rd year of the Mystery Quilt Shop Hop and the best year yet! We expanded the hop to 9 stores and had a big jump in participation. We had 60+ finishers by the raffle prize deadline and are thrilled to present a wide variety of the quilts at the PNQE . The amazing 2025 exclusive pattern was designed by local legend, Rachel Rossi. Pictured: 2025 Mystery Quilts
Africa’s Beauty - Quilts on the Wall
Africa’s Beauty is a challenging theme to embrace. Africa is huge and varied – in history, in landscape, in people, in wildlife, in community and tradition and in climate. The responses to this theme are as varied as Africa itself, with some close-up and some more expansively focused. The artists deliver these diverse concepts in a variety of ways, using color, value, fabric selection, piecing and quilting. Pictured: Beautiful Africa by Jeannette Floyd
Art Quilts to Dye For - Curated by Mary Walter
Our colorful quilts for this exhibit were inspired by and created with hand dyed fabrics. The fabrics used could have been dyed by the quilter or purchased from another source. Quilters were encouraged to combine hand-dyed, resist dyed, stamped or dye painted, fabric techniques along with a limited number of commercial fabrics to make their quilts. Next the quilts were stitched with hand or machine quilting to support the design decisions and finishing techniques chosen by each quilter. We hope you are inspired as we were by the variety, color, and creativity that using hand dyed fabrics has added to our quilts for this exhibit. Pictured: Phases of the Grass Moon by Mary Walter
Balance - TAVA (Textile Artists of VA)
Apart from being a device used to regulate the speed of a watch, the term balance refers to a state of being in which things are of equal weight or strength, opposing forces harmonize, a mental equilibrium exists, and the consideration of more than one viewpoint is possible. In these pieces, TAVA members reflect not only on stability, equity and poise, because balance means so much more. A life without balance can lead to miscommunication, illness, stress, conflict, resentment, strife, and chaos.
The Textile Artists of Virginia (TAVA) use fiber as a medium to create art. Now in our 13th year, our group continues to grow, allowing for a thoughtful, diverse presentation of ideas and fiber techniques. TAVA supports and encourages each member as a fiber artist through sharing ideas and techniques, as well as exploring the boundaries of the medium with programs and hands-on activities. TAVA increases public awareness of fiber art through exhibits and public engagement.
Black Threads Sister Quilters - Christian Compassion Quilters
Driven by a shared love for quilting, Christian Compassion Quilters began as an informal gathering of women who met in their homes to refine their skills and discover new techniques. This initial group evolved in September 2003 when Joye Hollingshed and the late Gertrude Baxter founded the Christian Compassion Quilting class, with a vision to promote quilt making among African American women. The Church of Christian Compassion, guided by Pastor W. Lonnie Herndon, generously offered space in the Christian Development Center (C.D.C) for their meetings on the first and third Saturdays of each month. As their numbers grew, the quilters were provided with a larger workspace in the Children’s Church Building. Today, Christian Compassion Quilters draws members from diverse groups throughout the tri-state region, all drawn together by their dedication to mastering the craft. In a supportive environment, these quilters enthusiastically learn, create, and build strong bonds through their shared passion for successful quilt making. Pictured: Holy Spirit Fall Down on Me
Celebrate With Us! - Main Line Quilters' Golden Anniversary
In 2025, Main Line Quilters celebrate our 50th year on Philadelphia’s Historic Main Line! The members of Main Line Quilters are celebrating our GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY through Quilts! Main Line Quilters was founded in December 1975 as the 31st chapter of the National Quilting Association. Today, with over 50 members, we are a diverse group and include people of all levels of quilting experience and interest. Main Line Quilters welcome you to join us at a guild meeting.
Color in Context: Red (SAQA Global Exhibition)
Ever since our earliest ancestors began applying iron oxide to cave walls and their bodies, the color red has played a major role in art, rituals, and spirituality. The use of red can evoke excitement, danger, anger or love in the West. The color red is associated with purity in India, and in China it traditionally symbolizes luck. Red is also a primary color, crucial to the creation of other hues.
The Color Purple - Central New Jersey Modern Quilt Guild
The Central Jersey Modern Quilt Guild invites you to see the quilts the members have individually created to honor this year's Kona color-PURPLE! We had two requirements for our challenge. The size was to measure 20" x 20", and the Kona 2025 Color of the Year, Nocturne, needed to be used in any amount. After that short list, creativity took charge and the variety of quilting styles exhibited just how much we enjoyed the color selection for 2025.
Conversations: Health on Our Minds / In the Pink - Talk Ten Travels
TalkTen was formed at the start of the pandemic by members of the Visions Museum of Textile Arts who share a love for textile art and a desire to meet virtually. Initially ten members joined (the inspiration behind our group’s name), but over time we have lost a few members, and now gained some, even expanding to having a more international group. Our group presents “TalkTen Conversations,” which includes the two new collections before you.
“Health on Our Mind” features art quilts that reflect an ever-present concern for older women. These 18” x 18” quilts explore themes of healing, medical processes, and the intricate tapestry of the human body.
“In the Pink” is a challenge in which each member created an 18” x 18” abstract quilt using cut-up pieces of an old pink rayon bedcover mailed to every member. At least 50% of each quilt’s material had to be pink.
Cowboy Culture - Allyson Allen
In the American west, between 1860 and 1880, about 25% of the cowboy population was made up of Civil War soldiers or former slaves. One in four cowboys were people of color and were an integral part of this country's ranching industry. The term "cowboy" comes from the Spanish word “vaquero.” They were of Indigenous or Spanish descent. But regardless of their many contributions, white cowboys were usually called cowhands, and the term cowboy was originally a derogatory racial slur, as black men were called boys. There were also Mexican, Native American and Asian cowboys, and cowgirls, and today all of Cowboy Culture is celebrated with rodeos. Pictured: Private William Cathay by Allyson Allen
Design Showcase - Studio Art Quilt Associates CT/NJ/NY/PA
Artists throughout our region have joined forces to showcase the impressive creativity and diverse approaches taken in creating an art quilt. The collection highlights different elements of the art quilt form and introduces our artists to the fine art world through the Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza. Each artist indicates what makes their art special, what gives their style its personal touch, and what creative choice is most impactful in conveying their ideas. Pictured: "Supernova" by Sue Erdreich.
Embellishments, Texture & Fabric Challenge - Four County Quilters Guild
Four County Quilters Guild, established in 1988, has two challenges every year one in the spring and the other in the fall. For our 2025 spring challenge instead of giving our members a topic we decided to do a technique challenge. Our 2025 spring challenge is to add embellishments, texture and parts of a fat eighth of fabric to our challenge quilts. We are hoping for a wide variety of quilts and for our members to try new technique. We meet the 2nd Tuesday of every month at Calvary United Methodist Church, 403 S. Main St, Mt. Airy, MD starting at 6:30pm with a “sewcial.” Fourcountyquilters.org. Pictured: San Diego Dreamin' by Kristi Dillard
Emotional Cloth - Quilts by Sandy Curran
A few years after I became obsessed with traditional floral applique, I branched out into portraying eyes and ultimately portraits. Faces that show emotion attract me. I don't want to make a pretty picture as much as I want to draw the viewer into a story .... a feeling. That is why some of my portraits are quilted with a poem I wrote or quotes about the story I hope to tell. Pictured: Age is Attitude 2 by Sandy Curran
Fences – AQuA
Visible and functional or internal and metaphorical? Decorative or plain, made of wood, iron, or wire, the ranchers and homesteaders of the west valued a strong fence.. However, a blizzard, flood, or drifting sand blur the function of boundaries or the efficacy of keeping critters in or out. Fences delineate political and social jurisdictions. As a noun, a fence can be an obstacle in an equestrian event, or as a verb, to fence. Fences may support a flower box, have blooms poking thru, or be the star in the idyllic picket fence home. Perhaps it becomes a key lyric for a song, “Don’t Fence Me In” or a metaphor as in “sitting on the fence” or “side of the fence.” Members of The Art Quilt Association explore their connection to Fences.
Fresh Meadow - Hoffman Challenge
There’s no better way to celebrate than joining in on the 35th Annual Hoffman Challenge. Our “Fresh Meadow” batik collection makes up the 2024-2025 Hoffman Challenge Collection. Hoffman Challenge participants are required to use a minimum of 5 out of 14 of these batik challenge fabrics in the body of the quilt top or garment in recognizable, but not necessarily equal amounts. While we love when you use Hoffman’s fabrics, we invite you to use fabric from any manufacturer in addition to the required challenge fabrics. Ready to celebrate with us? Pictured: Dance of the 'Wild' Flowers! by Sharon L Schlotzhauer
In the Eye of the Beholder - Stretching Art and Tradition 25
The creation of art is intensely personal and subjective. Unless you are creating a portrait of a famous person, the work you create from your intention and inspiration is meant to be interpreted by a viewer. For this, our 25th (yes 25!!!) exhibit, we invite you to create a piece that leaves room for viewer interpretation that may not align with your intention. We plan to engage the viewing public by asking them to respond to our work with their thoughts. We also challenge you to join in the original intent of this exhibit each year - to stretch yourself in your artistic application and share that process in your description. Perhaps you’ve never painted on fabric, used alternative fibers, or focused on hand quilting, like sashiko. Maybe multiple layers or embracing wabi sabi, the Japanese concept of celebrating imperfections, is calling you to explore a new path in your craftsmanship. Maybe you have a group of friends willing to join you in the quilting technique founded in the Cook Islands, Tivaevae! As always we ask that you stretch yourselves, in the spirit of our challenge.
It’s A Wild World - Animals and Birds in Fabric by Barbara Dahlberg 
There is endless inspiration in the natural world. The variety of color, form, texture, and expression provide us with so many ways to play with quilting and art techniques. Barbara’s collection includes applique, piecing, collage, hand printing, painting, drawing, shading with colored pencils, hand stitching, machine stitching and quilting. Quilt Credit: Pandamonium by Barbara Dahlberg
Literary Allusions - 20 Perspectives
Literary Allusions is an exhibit by the international group of fiber artists, 20 Perspectives. The artists were prompted to take inspiration from literature, poems, or song lyrics and interpret the words or phrases through their own visual or cultural perspectives. Each piece transforms words into vivid expressions of color, form, and texture whether abstract or figurative. Viewers will find that some of the works illustrate the quote while others reflect universal or intensely personal thoughts and meanings. Techniques used include lettering, painting, dyeing and collaging utilizing commercial or hand-dyed fabric.
Member Showcase - Mt Airy Quilters
We are a diverse and enthusiastic group of women from across Philadelphia, and our quilts reflect the richness of our individual lives. Our aim is to create a welcoming space where quilters of all abilities and styles can connect, learn new techniques, share their knowledge, and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow quilting enthusiasts. We invite you to join our community! We meet on the fourth Saturday of each month, from September through June, at Foulkeways in Gwynedd, PA. Find us on Facebook. Pictured: Huge Granny Block made by Mt. Airy Quilters
Myths & Legends - Quilts by Marilyn Belford
I have always had a penchant for the dramatic. Plays such as Medea, music by Beethoven, and paintings like Guernica by Picasso and German expressionism have always been my preferences. Strong colors like reds and yellows make me tingle. It was natural for me to be drawn to the drama and excitement of Mythology, especially of the women of myth, oft misunderstood and hopefully portrayed as powerful in my Myths and Legends series. Starting with the Greek and Roman myths, I became interested in those of other countries, such as Nordic and Mexican.
Marilyn Belford is well known for her realistic fabric portraits and art quilts. She comes to the quilting community after a career in the art world. Her works have been shown at the American Quilters Society show in Paducah , Quilters’ Heritage Celebration in Lancaster, the International Quilt Association International Show in Houston, Texas, the Schweinfurth Museum in Auburn, N.Y., and other museums and shows nationally, winning many awards. Her quilts were on display at the Morris Museum in their 2015 NJ Craft Arts Annual. Most recently, her quilt "The Wrath of Poseidon"was chosen for permanent display at the National Quilt Museum in Peducah, Kentucky. Belford has been teaching at Quilt University since 2003. She has written an article on her method for Chitra Publication’s magazine Quilting Today, has been featured in ARTSmagazine, and has been favorably reviewed in newspapers in New York.
Out of Africa - SAQA Minnesota
What happens when you give a fat quarter of African fabric to Minnesotan textile artists? Incredible diversity. Some look like they came from the continent of the fabric and some look like where the artist resides. All are unique and each is a reflection of the fabric and the one who created it. Can you find the special fabric in each? Pictured: Circling the Nine Patch by Linda Syverson-Guild
Poppy Cherrywood Challenge Bud Collection - Cherrywood Fabrics
Every year, Cherrywood chooses a theme and color palette and presents a challenge to quilters from all over the world. The challenge is to see what you can create using a very limited number of colors and show the beautiful suede look of their hand-dyed fabrics. This year’s theme is “poppy” and the fabrics are a gorgeous collection of eight colors of reds, red-oranges, blue-grays, and greens. Prepare to be captivated as artists push the boundaries, weaving threads, paints, pencils, inks, and beads into a symphony of colors that transcend imagination.
The Power of Love - Sankofa Artisans Guild
The Power of Love," is a captivating exploration of love in its myriad of forms. Inspired by Luther Vandross's iconic song of the same name, this exhibition transcends the typical romantic portrayal of love. Instead, it delves into the diverse and multifaceted expressions of this powerful human emotion, encompassing familial bonds, platonic friendships, self-love, and the love for our community and the wider world. Through a stunning array of quilts our artisans will illuminate the profound impact of love on our lives. The exhibition offers a unique opportunity to reflect on the significance of love in shaping our personal narratives and collective human experience. Pictured Quilt by Colette F. Carter
Quilters’ Choice – Quilters of the Round Table
Members were invited to exhibit quilts that reflect their individual interests and styles. This year the QRT exhibit features a few quilts made by long-time member Cie Tillery. Quilt credit: Cie Tillery
Quilts of Philadelphia Modern Quilt Guild
The Philadelphia Modern Quilt Guild (PhillyMQG) is a chapter of The Modern Quilt Guild. Members meet to share their love of modern quilting and activities focus on modern quilting aesthetics and techniques. According to The Modern Quilt Guild: “Modern quilts are primarily functional and inspired by modern design. Modern quilters work in different styles and define modern quilting in different ways. ‘Modern traditionalism’ or the updating of classic quilt designs is also often seen in modern quilting.” Contact us at phillymodernquiltguild@gmail.com or find us on Facebook at Philadelphia Modern Quilt Guild or Instagram at PhillyMQG for more information.
Ronald McDonald House Project - Homemakers Country Quilters
Homemakers Country Quilters of Montgomery County was born of an idea by Margot Carney to start a quilt club in 1983 with 23 charter members. The purpose of the club is education and companionship. Our members do much more than focus on quilt making. We support several charities and we also reach out to meet the needs of our communities.
One of the charities of which we are most proud is our contribution and relationship with the Ronald McDonald House. The Ronald McDonald House provides care, comfort, and support to families and children and provides a home away from home when a child is being treated at a nearby hospital. Our members sew two (or more) children’s quilts a year. Since1987 we have been donating quilts to children in the Ronald McDonald House in Danville, PA. Since 1987 Homemakers Country Quilters have donated over 6,800 quilts to RMD House! The children pick a quilt that they can take with them to the hospital and then home. The guild members also make pillow cases, table decorations and Christmas stockings for RMD House children. Quilts are displayed at out monthly meetings show and tell so that we all can be inspired. This year Homemakers Country Quilters are highlighting the quilts that our members lovingly make for the children staying at Ronald McDonald House, Danville, PA. Pictured: Princess and the Pea by Carolann Scanlon
Rumors - SAQA Georgia/South Carolina
Four groups of five artists from SAQA's GA/SC region participated in RUMORS, an exhibit based on the old “Gossip Game”. After receiving an original inspirational photograph, each of the 20 participating artists had one month to create an art quilt. At the end of the month, the artists sent a photo of the quilt they had created to the next person in their group who, in turn, had one month to create a 12” x 12” quilt inspired by that artist’s photograph….and so on…and so on. There were four rounds--20 quilts per group...a total of 80 extraordinary quilts!
Seasons - Quilts on the Wall
“For everything there is a season”
Ecclesiastes 3:1
There are seasons where the weather, sky and landscape change. Seasons of life are experienced by all living creatures. Pelicans migrate south to mate and breed in early spring and the hot summer months are easier to tolerate when you can enjoy a day at the beach. And, before we know it, we have accumulated a lifetime of memories of the events that have shaped us in the seasons of our lives. Pictured: Hot Summer Fun by Janice Willis
Worldwide Threads – Asia - FiberArtists@LooseEnds
FiberArtists@LooseEnds embarked on a voyage of discovery, through the creation of artwork, learning about and illustrating an inspiring global community. The growing interconnectedness of our world allows for a deeper understanding of culture through art and the creative expression of ideas. In this spirit, traditional and contemporary textile techniques were used to communicate regional impressions through color, texture, language, and imagery. This collection of artworks, exploring the essence of Asian art and culture, is the first in a planned series of global art scrolls. The pictured quilt was created by Bunnie Jordan.