One of the big attractions at the 34th annual Manteca Quilt Show is a one-of-a-kind piece called Batik Fiesta. It’s a king-size bed cover which could also double as a wall hanging.
It’s a piece of art that is getting rave reviews from professional quilters near and far. In fact, it’s one of the reasons admission tickets to the quilt show set for the weekend of March 2-3 at MRPS Hall are selling like hot cakes. One of the quilt shops where tickets are being sold has already “sold more tickets on that quilt than we ever sold just in a two-week period,” said Manteca Quilt Club vice president Judy Quiner. That shop is in Stanislaus County.
“My mouth dropped open when she said how many tickets she has sold,” Quiner said.
What’s so special about the original design by Manteca Quilter Janet Truscott?
“It has beautiful contrast. It just wakes you up. And the back of it is gorgeous so you can use it both sides,” said Quiner who is a veteran quilter herself. “She designed it herself, and we just fell in love with it. She brought it to the show committee one night and everybody just absolutely loved it.”
The piece was made using “one of the newer techniques that experts caught on to,” added Quiner.
Truscott donated the Opportunity Quilt which will go to the lucky winner at the drawing to be held toward the end of the show’s second day. Tickets for this prize will be sold both days for a dollar apiece.
This is just one of the many highlights of this year’s quilt show which attracts cloth artists, vendors, and visitors from all over the Central Valley, the foothills and the Bay Area every year. There will be a cloth doll show as well, an annual feature of the show. The featured doll artist is Sue Parnham of Manteca. Highlighted also will be the featured artist this year. That honor is going to Pat Kilpatrick, also a long-time Manteca Quilter and a resident of Manteca.
The show will be spread out in both halls of the MRPS Hall on Grant Street just north of Yosemite Avenue in downtown Manteca. There will be nearly two-dozen vendors featured, in addition to the dozens of original quilts on display made by members of the quilters club.
In addition to the Opportunity Quilt and Opportunity Cloth Doll offered in the drawing, there will be several theme baskets – mainly quilt-related items and chocolate – that will be drawn also. All tickets for the drawings will be sold both days of the event. These are all donated by members of the club. One need not be present to win any of the prizes, Quiner said.
Admission to the show is $7 apiece, or $10 for both days. Children under 12 are admitted free.
There will be lunch available as well for those who want to browse the whole day without leaving the show premises.
A club boutique called Granny’s Attic, another regular show feature, will be available as well. Yoni Glover, a longtime member and award-winning quilter, will be among those selling their unique creations at the boutique. “She always comes up with new stuff. She got a bunch of cute things this year,” Quiner said.
For further details about the quilt show, call (209) 986-0544 or (209) 825-4832.
