The always active Muncy Historical Society will again be presenting one of the events they have become known for when they present their 19th Annual Quilt and Textile Show at the First United Methodist Church’s Celebration Centre and Living Water Cafe, 602 S. Market Street, Muncy. This location features easy access, convenience, and ample parking. The show runs from noon to 6 p.m. Friday, July 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 20. General admission is $8, with a discount for six or more guild members attending together ($6 per member). Visitors can view antique, vintage, and modern quilts, wearable art, and woven coverlets.
In its 19th year, the event will showcase spectacular hand and machine workmanship, appliqué, and other quilting techniques, reflecting the makers’ originality and expertise with needle and thread. The show is always “set” so attendees can “step far away from the quilt to see the geometric design and color patterns as a whole composition, or stand inches away and observe the combinations of fabric, stitching, batting density, and handmade variations.”
A three-person panel will judge the quilt entries, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ribbons will be awarded in the Quilt Challenge, Appliqué, Other Techniques, Use of Color, Hand Quilting, Domestic/Hand-Guided Machine Quilting, Computer-Guided Machine Quilting, Bed, Mini, and Wall Hanging, Youth, Modern, Art, Wearable Art, and Other Textile categories. The judges will award only one winner for Best of Show, selected from all first-place winners, a Best Original Design winner, and a Judge’s Choice winner. Friday show attendees will nominate their favorite for the Viewer’s Choice award.
The 2024 Quilt Challenge theme is “Friendship/Signature” — a quilter’s choice to register a modern quilt composed of signed blanks. They might commemorate artifacts & made by individuals for themselves or as a gift for a family member or friend; others might be collaborative — a group of people for presentation to a member of their community; they might commemorate a special occasion; they might celebrate friendships that link the individuals represented on it; they might preserve the memory of relationships that once existed; or they might mediate experiences by marking major life transitions – marriages, moving West.
This year’s theme sets the stage for our themes for the next two years, culminating in the show’s commemoration of America250. Start thinking about your entries — “Fabrics of Our Lives” has been selected for the July 18-19, 2025 show, and “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” as our July 16-17, 2026 theme will close our commemoration efforts.
Always more than a quilt show, activities have been selected to appeal to all ages, and young people are encouraged to attend. This event is designed to be a glorious, colorful, and educational experience. As with every year, there will be several special exhibits and demonstration areas!
With heavy hearts, members of the Muncy Historical Society and the Vintage Gatherer quilters remember Judith Cole Costello, who passed away on October 20, 2023. Judith was a valuable member of the Vintage Gatherers — an author, a workshop leader, a quilt pattern designer, and a lifelong learner. Her contributions to the art community through her exceptional quilt-making are immeasurable — her designs, color schemes, and creativity. Many of today’s quilters have looked to Judith for inspiration and encouragement. She enthusiastically shared her knowledge, pushing them and herself to strive and develop at ever higher levels of quilt making.
This year’s show is dedicated to her memory and contributions to the quilting world. We will be exhibiting quilts from her “friendship” collection and other things special to her. During show hours, a PowerPoint presentation will showcase selections of her private poetry. A Celebration of Life, open to the public, has been scheduled to start after the show closes on Saturday and will be held in the church’s sanctuary.
The show will feature “demonstration adventures” — hand and machine quilting, paper piecing, binding and applique, and other sewing machine techniques — all designed for young people and adults alike. Many demonstrators will be available during most of the show hours to provide instruction and consultation.
Check their website regularly (www.MuncyHistoricalSociety.org) for show updates, vendor listings, etc.
If you wish to exhibit you must complete a show registration form, available by calling 570-546-5917 or online at http://www.MuncyHistoricalSociety.org. Registration forms and quilt and/or textile entries must be received by the Muncy Historical Society from July 8 to July 12, 2024, from 9 a.m. to noon or earlier by advance appointment. Quilts must include a 4-4 ½ hanging sleeve. Quilt/textile pick-up is scheduled for Saturday, July 20 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. or by appointment at the museum.
Directions to the Quilt Show at First United Methodist Church are from I-80 to exit 212W to I-180 exit 13A, Rt. 405 to Muncy. Turn left on South Main Street, 1.0 mile, right on Mussers Lane. The church is on the left, one block right on South Market Street. Please wear comfortable, flat-heeled shoes.
