Piecing it together: Heartland Quilt Show returns

Published 5:30 am Saturday, July 13, 2019

Local quilters are getting the chance to show off their work this weekend as part of the 2019 Heartland Quilt Show at East Elementary School.

The show — hosted every other year by the Heartland Quilt Guild of Cullman — features 129 quilts and other objects on display at the show, all handmade by guild members, said show co-chair Hazel Ruehl. 

The title of this year’s show is “200 Years of Alabama Quilting,” and along with the usual display of quilts that were made by guild members, the show also includes quilts made by members’ ancestors — with some dating back to the 1800s, she said.

Ruehl said the event is usually popular in the community, and she expects more people to get out to look at the guild’s quilts today.

“Last year we had right at 300 people who came through, and this year we’re planning on more,” she said. “So far, it’s been really good.”

The quilt show also attracted people from outside of Cullman, including Jackie Calloway, who is visiting from Odessa, Texas. She stopped by the show on Friday with her daughter who lives here.

“This is the second time I’ve made this quilt show in five years, and I look forward to it,” she said. “It’s a very good quilt show.”

The show also features a raffle to give away an Alabama quilt to celebrate the state’s bicentennial, and there will be door prizes given out throughout the day along with vendors who are selling quilting supplies.

Admission to the show is $7, and entrance includes being able to see several demonstrations offered by guild members.

Demonstrations Saturday include:

Hexies with Peggy Rhodes from 10-11 a.m.

Working with Wool with Mary Frances Laney and Nelda Coker from 11 a.m. to noon.

Redword/Hand Embroidery with Geraldine Hendrix from noon to 1 p.m.

Finishing Your Quilt with Carol McKoy and Jennifer Bridges from 1-2 p.m.

Making T-Shirt Quilts with Sandra Tucker from 2-3 p.m.