World Quilt Florida at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center, January 19-21, 2017, will host an amazing collection of special exhibits from around the country plus the international entries from the World Quilt Competition: On Tour. This year, guilds from Florida are taking part in World Quilt Florida in the best way they know how … by creating quilts. World Quilt Florida is proud to include these special exhibits of hometown art:

How do we spell Florida? … Everglades Park – Hibiscus Quilt Guild of South Florida
A guild member picked a phrase based on Florida themes and then each member picked a letter and made a quilt depicting something in reference to the phrase that starts with that letter. 2016’s phrase is “Everglades Park”. Pictured: River Otter

MASKarade – Gold Coast Quilters’ Guild
Masks have been used for their expressive power since antiquity and come in many forms: Ritual masks, on action heroes and heroines,  masks in fashion,  pageants and carnivals that have played out for centuries. Even in the animal world, Mother Nature has given many animals  mask-like faces. Quilts pictured were created by Beverly Fine, Jane Gavlick and Candice Phelan.

Miami Art Quilters at The National Day of the Cowboy
National Day of the Cowboy was set aside for the preservation of the pioneer spirit and  heritage, and the promotion of cowboy culture. As part of this celebration the Miami Art Quilters have displayed their cowboy inspired works for many years. Each year participation and authenticity has increased. Quilts pictured are by Cheri Ucci and Arlene.

Orlando Modern Quilt Guild
The Orlando Modern Quilt Guild  is a non-profit organization formed to inspire and support our members in their enjoyment of and growth in quilt making. We promote an interest in and appreciation of the art of quilt making. More information can be found at  theorlandomodernquiltguild.blogspot.com.

Stitched Together – South Florida Modern Quilt Guild
The quilts in this exhibit were made by members of the guild during the first year of its existence as a modern quilt guild. The guild’s interest is in modern quilting, which can include many approaches. Modern quilting, like all art, changes, grows and adapts from quilter to quilter as they find their own voices. For information, visit southfloridamqg.com.

Trees – Quilters Innovative Design
“Let’s take our hearts for a walk in the woods and
listen to the magic whispers of old trees.”           ~ Author Unknown
Trees shelter us. Trees provide life and sustenance for us.  Trees inspire us.  The Quilters Innovative Design group selected Trees as our yearly challenge.  The topic provides artists with an opportunity to create, experiment and perhaps have a bit of fun in the quilting medium. Quilt pictured was created by Bernie Mayer.

What’s Old is New Again! –  Florida Cabin Fever Quilt Guild
Florida Cabin Fever Quilt Guild is a traditional guild that brings people who love quilts, and want to learn and preserve the art of quilt making, together.  Over time, quilts have evolved from being simply utilitarian to works of art.  These traditional pieced and appliqued quilts are made with patterns that have been used by quilters for generations. Pictured: Magic Windows – pieced by Eleanor Moland, quilted by Gail Rowland.

You won’t want to miss these and the other wonderful exhibits at World Quilt Florida. This incredible event will also include the Florida Quilt Competition entries, workshops and lectures presented by world-renowned instructors, and a Merchants Mall offering the best in fabrics, notions, machines, wearable art and everything for the quilter, textile artist and home sewer.

Major Annual Sponsor – Brother: The Sewing Studio Fabric Superstore; Major Vendor Sponsors – BERNINA of America: Wandering Stitches, Elna: Sew-Mini Things, Juki & Baby Lock: The Sewing Studio Fabric Superstore; Sponsors –  ABM/Innova, and Handi Quilter; and Special Vendor Sponsor –  Granny’s Legacy Patterns generously support World Quilt Florida.