QuiltWeek celebration underway - Sept. 10-13

photo Quilts are being unfurled all over town during the American Quilter's Society's Chattanooga QuiltWeek, which continues through Saturday. Terri Lane, left, crafted this quilt from daughter Rachel Lane's collection of summer camp T-shirts from the Tennessee Aquarium. Lane says Rachel's camp experiences over the years have been so meaningful that she "wanted to create something that would be a treasured keepsake" to help her recall "the special memories of each camp."

You don't have to be a member of the American Quilter's Society nor a hard-core hobbyist to take part in the QuiltWeek celebration continuing through Saturday, Sept. 13, at the Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter Plaza.

But if you'd like to enhance your sewing skills, learn advanced techniques or simply eyeball the amazing array of quilts on display, then QuiltWeek has you covered.

A Best of Show ribbon from 200 entries submitted in the Modern Quilt Challenge was to be announced Wednesday, opening day of the four-day event. Hundreds more quilts adorn the exhibit halls, creating a soft and cozy gallery of art. Themes range from the creative bovines in "Cow Stampede" to the celebrity designs honoring America's military for "Quilted in Honor." Around countless other corners are modern art quilts, traditional designs, world-class fiber arts and quilts crafted by rural Filipino women to professionals who write the books on quilting.

World-renowned instructors will be leading workshops during the event. Although online registration has closed, you can check out the schedule at www.quiltweek.com then register on-site for remaining sessions, as space allows.

If you have a quilt you'd like appraised, experts will be available in Room 11 of the Convention Center between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 12-13. Cost is $50 per quilt, payable at check-in.

Tickets at the door are $14 for nonmembers.

RELATED EVENTS AROUND THE COMMUNITY

If QuiltWeek whets your appetite for more handiwork, you can find many more examples around town. Admission fees are required for some events. For more information, visit the Chattanooga Convention & Visitors Bureau's website, www.ChattanoogaFun.com, or call the numbers provided.

• AVA Gallery (30 Frazier Ave.): "Needle & Thread" exhibition focuses on artists working with materials and processes often present in quiltmaking, through Oct. 31. 423-265-4282.

• Bessie Smith Cultural Center (200 E. M.L. King Blvd.): Quilters talk by members of the Zuri Quilting Guild at 6 p.m. today, Sept. 11. Their quilts will be on display through Dec. 5. 423-266-8658.

• Chattanooga Theatre Centre (400 River St.): "Gee's Bend," a production with traditional music, based on actual quilters from Gee's Bend, Ala. Evening and matinee showtimes through Sept. 21. 423-267-8534.

• Chattanooga WorkSpace (302 W. Sixth St.): "Quilts of Chattanooga" trunk show and exhibition showcases the piecing and quilting work of women living in the Chattanooga area, continues 3-8 p.m. today and Friday, Sept. 11-12. Meet the artists at Open Studio Night, 5-8 p.m. Friday. 423-822-5750.

• Creative Discovery Museum (321 Chestnut St.): See quilt squares sewn and decorated by children, then worked into quilts by Grateful Threads quilting guild, plus other works by area quilters, through September. Reception, 6-7:30 p.m. today, Sept. 11. 423-756-2738.

• Hamilton Place (2100 Hamilton Place Blvd.): Vote on a "Chattanooga Favorite" among 50 quilts by area quilters on display. 423-894-7177.

• Houston Museum of Decorative Arts (201 High St.): Special exhibit by internationally known quilter Kaffe Fassett on view noon-4 p.m. today-Sunday, Sept. 11-14, and other hours by appointment. 423-267-7176.

• Rock City Gardens (1400 Patten Road, Lookout Mountain): Quilts crafted by Rock City employees and families on view, 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. today-Sunday, Sept. 11-14. 706-820-2531.

• Ruby Falls (1720 S. Scenic Highway): Variety of quilts on display in the lobby and other areas, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. today-Sunday, Sept. 11-14. 423-821-2544.

• Southern Belle riverboat (Pier 2, 201 Riverfront Parkway): Quilts made by local residents may be viewed in the gift shop at no charge today-Sunday, Sept. 11-14. 423-266-4488.

• Tennessee Aquarium (1 Broad St.): Special quilt exhibition in River Journey building, with quilted pieces along the tour path demonstrating how nature has inspired artists from the Chattanooga Modern Quilt Guild. Admission discounts today-Sunday, Sept. 11-14, for anyone showing an AQS badge or hand stamp. 1-800-262-0695.

• Tennessee Temple University's Lee Roberson Student Union (Orchard Knob and Kirby avenues): A "Keeper of the Fire" exhibit from the Underground Railroad Secret Quilt Code Museum in Atlanta includes more than 35 quilts (eight from the 1800s), an 1863 Kentucky Military Institute blanket, West African textiles, dolls and artifacts. Open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. weekends, through Wednesday. $10 donation.

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