Ocean Waves Quilt Guild show set for July 17, 18 in Lewes

The Ocean Waves Quilt Guild will hold its 2015 Quilt Show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, July 17, and Saturday, July 18, at Cape Henlopen High School in Lewes.

For those who think of faded and worn fabrics or something seen on the "Little House on the Prairie" television show when someone mentions quilts, the Ocean Waves Quilt Guild’s 2015 Quilt Show will bring bright, new and exciting images of quilts.

The show will display 275 quilts and quilted items made by members of Ocean Waves Quilt Guild and sister guilds from Delaware and Pennsylvania. The quilts' brilliant colors and variety of designs will make attendees believe they have been transported into a kaleidoscope.

Quilting has become so much more than a practical way to cover beds. The display of quilts will include many that do grace the beds of the creator’s home and some antique quilts that have been brought back to life, but there will also be a number of art quilts as well. Art quilts use fabric, thread and quilting techniques to create landscapes, capture an image, or play with color and texture in an abstract design.

One of the three special exhibits of the show features quilts that were made as part of a creative challenge. Participants were asked to create their interpretation of a randomly drawn card as an 18-by-28-inch quilt. Some reproduced the card in fabric while others were more imaginative in their quilt design, such as the five of diamonds represented by five carrots.

The Red, White and Blue Challenge quilts, a second special display, represents the creators' association with that color scheme. A lot of stars and stripes with traditional quilt block patterns will be on display but also some unique designs. One standout, a quilt by Lucy Morgan, features a three-dimensional eagle and was inspired her journey immigrating to the United States. Of the 30 challenge quilts in the show, 19 will be donated to Quilts of Valor Foundation, Delaware Chapter, to be awarded to recovering service members participating in the Operation SEAs the Day Warrior Beach Week event set Tuesday, Sept. 8 through Sunday, Sept. 13, in Bethany Beach.

The third special display was the source of the show’s theme Quilts Paying it Forward. It includes examples of items the guild members make in support of a number of charitable groups. Throughout the year, members work on these projects independently and in small groups or bees. Once a year, the guild holds a community service sew-in where members gather for the day to work on charitable projects. This exhibit of the items the guild makes and donates fills the atrium entrance to the show.

For those unfamiliar with the intricacies of quilting, there will be four docent tours scheduled each day of the show. A guild member will walk the display with interested attendees explaining the techniques and materials employed in construction of the quilt, how it was quilted, perhaps the history of the pattern, and answer questions about the quilts. In addition, there will be two demonstrations each day explaining different techniques.

Raffle quilts made by Delmarvalous Quilt Guild in Georgetown, Helping Hands Quilt Guild in Dover and the Ladybug Guild in Newark will be on display with each guild selling chances to win its quilt. Ocean Waves members have put together 20 different themed baskets to raffle off, with drawings three times each day. A Singer Featherweight Sewing Machine is also being raffled off, with the drawing to be held at the close of the show.

Quilters will be delighted with the many quilt-related vendors participating in the show. Non-quilting attendees will enjoy artists and local shops at the show. There will be jewelry, clothing, hand-made gift items, antiques, books, and home décor items for sale. Food service is also available on site.

The quilt show is a great time to take a break from the beach and cool off in the air-conditioned Cape Henlopen High School, 1250 Kings Highway, Lewes.  Admission is $8 a day, $10 for a two-day pass and $7 a day for guild members presenting a current membership card. Parking is free and plentiful. For more information contact Dana Mason at  302-732-3546 or danaleemason@gmail.com or go to www.OceanWavesQuiltGuild.org/qs15.html.