This three-day event will provide 9 hands-on half-day and full-day workshops, 9 presentations in a theatre setting, 11 free demonstrations, a quilt and fiber show and exhibits, and over 16 vendors for shopping, including a yarn truck from Arkansas. The ECQFE website, www.elkhartcountyquiltfiberexpo.com offers the full program and details on the entire event, including how to enter your project to be judged/shown, etc. The online registration for the ECQFE is now open and will close on May 24, 2023. Walk-in registration on-site will also be taken at the ECQFE. The first 500 registrants will receive the very first ECQFE show pin in the Expo bag! The entry price of $15 includes entry for all three days and access to viewing the quilt and fiber show and exhibits, all free demonstrations, and vendor shopping! The hands-on workshops and presentations are an additional fee.
The Quilt and Fiber show offers opportunities for entries to be judged and/or exhibited. The project entry fee is $10.00 and the online entry deadline is May 10, 2023. Donna Kooistra, an AQS Certified Quilt and Textile Appraiser will be in the exhibit area by appointment and she offer her services for appraisals. The ECQFE is also on Facebook!
The workshops offer opportunities for a variety of learning experiences for beginners to skilled participants. These workshops require pre-registration and the cost varies. On Thursday Tammy Gardner, a Quiltworx certified instructor, will offer an all-day paper piecing quilt workshop. She has designed the “Elkhart Blazing Star” pattern and kit, especially for the Expo. Also on Thursday, Saloma Slabaugh is teaching The Art of Hand Quilting; “Shattered,” her own paper pieced small project pattern, is being taught by Connie Kauffman; and fiber pro Maggie Schnaars is teaching Freestyle Weaving on a Rigid Heddle Loom to round out the Thursday workshop calendar. The workshops for Friday June 9 are: Ruler Work Quilting taught by Laurie Bender; Spicy Spiral Table Runner by Jeanne Heyerly; Artistic Embroidery Stitching by Barbie Brooks; and Radioactive with Deb Tucker Rulers by Chelane Priller. The workshops for Saturday, June 10 are: Sewing a Cork Wristlet by Lynn Gerard; Knit Like a Pirate by Julene Fitch; and Sewing a Clear Organized Project Bag with Carolyn Blackburn. Sewing machines are provided on-site for workshops!!
The theatre presentations require a $10.00 fee for each and pre-registration is suggested. Seating is limited to 70 participants. The topics for Thursday, June 8 are: Barking Up the Right Tree by Lynn Gerard; Influence and Inspiration – The Indianapolis Star Quilt Contest 1976 -1987 by Xenia E. Cord and Mary Jane Eichacker-Kaufman; Organization in Sewing, Fiber, Crafting, and Ergonomics by Annetta Jones. Friday, June 9 topics are: Textile Traditions in Folk Costume from Around the World by Melvenea Hodges; Amish Quilt Trunk Show: History & Stories by Rebecca Haarer; and Upcycling for a Great Cause - Soup of Success by Betsy Ayrea. Saturday, June 10 topics are: All Wool & Then Some! with Barbie Brooks; Color Speaks by Susan Ginther and Jo Willis; and The History of Rug Hooking by Tracey C. Burns.
The three days of free demonstration topics are informal and will take place in the show and vendor area. Thursday’s are: Needle Felting - Maggie Schnaars; Cork Jewelry – Lynn Gerard; Ruler Techniques in Piecing – Sharon Marring; and Tools of the Trade in Wool Applique – barbie Brooks. Friday’s demonstrations are: Spinning with Cotton – Melvenea Hodges; Finishing Your Steeks and Bobbles – Jean Burstfield; Sewing Techniques with Glue Basting - Beth Raker; and Easy Weaving – Kris Peterson. Saturday’s demonstrations are: Twists and Turns of Cables – Susan Weller; Three Different Ways to Spin – Shirley Hershberger; Pre Viking Nalbinding – Ken Kniesly; and Sewing Hacks – Mary Ann Lienhart Cross.
An event connected to the ECQFE is the Quilt Trail Shop Hop. Area quilt shop owners are eager to welcome patrons and will have special items, patterns, sign-ups for drawings, etc. To ensure that there is ample time to visit all of the shops on the Quilt Trail and have your Passport stamped for entry to win the Grand Prize, the Quilt Trail Shop Hop will begin Monday, June 5, and continue through Saturday, June 10. Check the Quilt Trail Shop Hop Facebook Page for details! While visiting the Elkhart County area, there are many other attractions, such as the Quilt Gardens on the Heritage Trail (thousands of beautiful flowers planted in quilt block patterns), the RV/MH Hall of Fame and Museum (attached to the Event Center), and many others. More information is available at the Elkhart County Convention& Visitors Bureau at www.visitelkhartcounty.com. See you in Elkhart, IN in June!!
