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The Quilters Guild of East Texas will present the annual Azalea Quilt Show on March 28-29 at the Harvey Convention Center, 2000 W. Front St., Tyler.

The show is open to the public with admission of $6 for adults and $5 for seniors and children, ages 6-12. Show times are from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, said Serena Vrnak, Azalea Quilt Show co-chairman.

This year's show, "Hats Off To Quilting," is a judged show with approximately 250 quilts representing the old and the new, the traditional and the contemporary.

"This year, for the first time, there is an art quilt category. The show will also include a full menu of demonstrations and lectures daily, special quilt displays, an exhibition of garments featuring quilting techniques, a Merchants Mall of 26 vendors from four states, an old fashioned bed-turning and much more," Mrs. Vrnak said.

SHOW OFFERINGS

The Donation Quilt, titled "Tulip Garden," is the grand prize of the chance drawing.

"The Calico Cutters graciously made and machine quilted this beautiful batik quilt," Mrs. Vrnak said.

All the proceeds received from the ticket sales will be given to Camp Tyler, the Bair Foundation, Guide Dogs of Texas and Quilts for Kids.

The quilters are Peggy Boultinghouse, Barbara Gant, Carole Harper, Bridget Hensley, Sally Hyatt, Lois Lundberg, Margaret McAinsh, Sandy Miller, Marjie Nolley, Nan Sparks, Martha Sprague, Joan West and Quilla White.

Old-Fashioned Bed Turning: Before quilts became a fashionable collectible item, John Sauls started amassing and saving American quilts.

"Therefore, he has some rare, one-of-a-kind beauties. His collection ranges from the simple to the elaborate," Mrs. Vrnak said. "Come see these quilts shown, discussed and storied in an Old-Fashioned Bed Turning from 11:30 a.m. to noon and 2-2:30 p.m on both Friday and Saturday.

"John Sauls is a nationally known collector and we are very fortunate that he is willing to share his treasures with us," Mrs. Vrnak said.

INVITATIONAL EXHIBITS

Pat Harrison: Pat Harrison of Exeter, R.I., discovered the extensive world of quilting in 1993, joining a guild and taking classes. She became Rhode Island's first long arm quilter in 1999.

"She finds inspiration for designs everywhere and feels that the quilting should be coordinated to the quilt. She has a particular love of trapunto wholecloth quilts," Mrs. Vrnak said.

Barbara W. Barber: She is "schooled in the art of fine handwork of all types." She has recently begun to paint her designs on fabric, giving her more flexibility in color gradation. The show is honored to display her painted quilt, "Why Seek Ye the Living Among the Dead?" Mrs. Vrnak said.

Wool Exhibit: Rug hooking is "very much like quilting as it is a traditional tactile craft that draws people together, challenging the maker's skills in design, color selection, execution and finishing," she said.

The display features 28 hooked rugs.

Embroidery Exhibit: Embroidery Club is a group of members who own sewing-embroidery machines. On the second Saturday of each month, they share ideas on using their machines to make embroidery work that they can use in their quilts. This exhibit has work from some of their projects in 2007 and a look at some of the things they have planned for 2008.

QUILT SHOW JUDGE

Lisa Erlandson of Gaines-ville is this year's show judge. She is a member of the Professional Association of Appraisers of Quilted Textiles. She will be appraising during show hours by prior appointment only. For an appointment, call Eileen Kosnik, 903-535-7864.

The Quilters Guild of East Texas is a nonprofit organization that began in 1981 with 33 members and has grown to 300-plus members. The organization's purpose is to preserve the heritage of quilting, assist members in attaining excellence in quilting and provide information and a gathering place for quilting enthusiasts.

In addition to the annual quilt show, the Guild holds monthly meetings/programs on the second Thursday of each month at 9:30 am. and 6:30 p.m. in the Founders' Center of Pollard Methodist Church at 3535 New Copeland Road in Tyler. For more information contact Guild president, Beverly Lusk at 903-839-2210.