by Elaine MacNaughtan
The Home on the Farm Quilt Show and Tea Room held at the W.B. George Centre in Kemptville on August 19 and 20 was a resounding success. Approximately 1,000 people attended the event over the two day period.
The IPM Quilt Committee consists of five groups who came together to plan, organize and execute the quilt show. They include The Kemptville Quilters Guild; The Thousand Island Quilters Guild; The Upper Canada Quilters Guild; Victoria’s Quilts Canada, Kemptville Branch and the Kemptville District Hospital Auxiliary.
Under the leadership of co-chairs Teresa Harrison and Nancy Grundy, these groups held a quilt block challenge, workshops, organized the quilt competition, the Quilt Show and the IPM quilt raffle.
There were over 170 entries in the IPM Quilt Competition which were judged according to the Canadian Quilt Judging Standards. It was a difficult task considering all the beautiful quilts that were entered in the various categories. The winners in most categories were acknowledged with a monetary prize and a ribbon attached to their quilt. Medallions were given to the participants in the Youth category and Professional Medallions were given to the long arm quilting professionals. The Barn Quilt category was chosen by a Viewer’s Choice Vote, although there was no prize for the winner in this category, the winner and bragging rights went to Kathy Colwell. Barn Quilts are made on large pieces of wood, painted in solid colours in a design of simple geometric shapes. They may be seen on barns, houses, sheds or fences as you drive through the countryside.
The KDH Auxiliary hosted a British Tea during the Quilt Show and served sandwiches, scones and treats in three tiered plates along with cups of tea. Beverages and snacks were also served, as well as take out lunches. British Tea was by reservation only and was sold out. The Auxiliary members were very pleased to have made approximately $6,500 for the hospital.
A Bed Turning took place three times on Friday and twice on Saturday to coincide with the British Tea. During the Bed Turning, the narrator tells a brief history of each quilt as it is lifted off the bed and shown, then it is folded and set aside for the next one to be shown.
A variety of demonstrations showing different quilting techniques and projects were also offered at different times during the two day show.
The seventeen vendors in attendance included an interesting selection of shops and services. The five groups of the quilt committee, as well as the group, Quilts of Valour, had displays promoting their organization.
An added incentive to the quilt show and IPM, Stitch by Stitch Quilt Shop in Kingston and the Brother Sewing Machine Company offered two sewing machines to be prizes in two draws. The first draw, which was for anyone entering the quilt competition, was held at the Quilt Show on Saturday and the lucky winner was Bernadine Lavers. The second machine will be for anyone attending the Quilt Show and those who tour the IPM Quilt Tent during the plowing match. That draw will take place on September 24 at 2 pm in the Quilt Tent.
The draw for the IPM Raffle Quilt, which is made up of 25 blocks selected from the quilt block challenge, will also be held on September 24 at 2 pm in the Quilt Tent. Tickets for the quilt raffle are $2.00 each and will be for sale in the Quilt Tent.
The 2022 International Plowing Match runs from September 20 to 24 from 8:30 am to 5 pm daily on the grounds of the Kemptville Campus in North Grenville. The quilts from the Quilt Show, along with the vendors, will be on display in the Quilt Tent in the Lifestyles Area.
For more information on the IPM, please visit the website at www.plowingmatch.org.
