Monday, January 28, 2008

Heinz History Center

If you missed the weekend event at the Heinz History Center, you missed a good time! The weekend was such a great success that the center has already decided to make it an annual event.

This originally started as an idea from the North Pittsburgh Quilt Guild, then as they say, it “grew legs” of its own. I think I became involved because they needed some fabric donations, or maybe it was because a dear sweet woman named Millie asked me to. If you know Millie, you know what I mean. She is one of those people that you just can’t say “no” to. Not that you would want to, she is always involved in something fascinating. It is worth the investment of your time, just to see things evolve.

The photo shows just one little peek at the children’s portion of the event. The kids drew pictures on prepared muslin squares of “Pittsburgh Firsts” to help celebrate the cities 250th birthday. Then they selected batik squares to set together in a 9 patch that will make up the alternating blocks in the finished quilt. The kids did a great job. They drew KDKA, ketchup bottles, sports teams and groundhogs. My personal favorite was a blueberry pie under the 6th Street bridge. When I questioned the little girl, she explained that homeless people have to eat too!

The kids table was the center attraction, but it was surrounded with Guilds selling raffle tickets, a great display of antique sewing machines, tables to shop, information on Hartwood Acres, top of the line sewing machines, and lots of quilts made by Pittsburgh quilters of all ages. Next year there will be even MORE quilts, hopefully more demonstrations and I’m suggesting they have a certified quilt appraiser there to value your quilts. The museum liked the idea. If it begins to look like it won’t happen – I’ll sic Millie on them!

Karen

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