Celebrate the world of quilting, textile and wearable arts as the Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza returns to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA, September 15-18, 2016. The Extravaganza is the largest and most comprehensive quilt festival in a state that is well-known for its rich history of quilting.

PNQE will include everything needed for a successful show including a beautiful display of over 600 quilts and works of textile and wearable art from across the globe. This year’s PNQE quilt competition, featuring magnificent works by some of the nation’s finest quilt artists, is themed Evolving! Entrants are asked to respond to, “How is your work evolving as quilting moves forward?” Pictured 2015 Best of Show: A Little Bit of Baltimore by Janet L. Stone

There will also be special exhibitions on display. Among them are the international entries and select U.S. winners from the 2016 World Quilt Competition. This outstanding international competition is celebrating its 20^th year! These beautiful works of quilt art from across the globe are a must see! Pictured: Tree Spirit by Sue Cameron, Best of Country – South Africa, 2016 World Quilt Competition.

The 2016 teaching staff at the Extravaganza is sure to enlighten many a student. For instructor and workshop information, please click here.

PNQE Goes FASHION – In addition to all this, Karen Boutte, California’s “Quilt Diva” will moderate the three “new for 2016” PNQE runway fashion shows: Inspired & In Style featuring works of wearable art by Karen Boutte and Rachel D.K. Clark, the SewBatik Challenge Fashion Show, and Fiber, Fabric, Fashion presented by the New Hope Arts Center.

Plus, as past visitors know, the Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza features an amazing Merchants Mall filled to the brim with vendor booths, offering everything quilters and needle crafters need to quench their creative thirsts.

All of this and more – see you at the Extravaganza!

A true testament to the words “wearable art” will be presented at the Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza, held at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks (Valley Forge area), PA September 15-18, 2016. The New Hope Arts Center will present Fiber, Fabric, Fashion, in a runway fashion show on Sunday, September 18th, at 1pm.

The Arts Center’s first runway show was held at the Center this past February and was a huge success. It was so well attended they filled their space to maximum capacity. According to the fashion show Director Sandy Morrison, Fiber, Fabric, Fashion is a collaboration between designers and the Director. The current exhibition features upcycling fashion (clothes made out of recycled clothing and fabric), felting and fiber arts, jewelry, steam punk style and vintage. The designers include Kristen Leonard of Charley Girl Designs, Gina Tavelli, Nelly Kouzmina of Feltinelli, Illia Barger of Pantaluna, Angela Pilat of Glamtastik,  Joanne Eisenberg of Flirt and Janice Hengel. Sojourner, a vintage clothing shop located  in Lambertville, NJ will also be featured in the show. All of the designers are regional and have a beautiful distinct style that really comes together on the runway.

The evidence of the show’s Director, Sandy Morrison’s hard work and passion for the arts presents itself in the carefully selected ensembles, the model’s fittings and the music compilation. Before coming to the New Hope Arts Center 5 years ago, Sandy was a modern dancer and also worked at auction houses so she is no stranger to the art world. She has always had an interest in fashion. Sandy enjoys linking the show together, from choosing the right art piece to choosing the right song for the runway. “There’s a lot of moving parts, when you start to see it threading together, it’s a great feeling,” said Sandy. There is a lot of thought in her process of acquiring designers and pieces for the show.  She is looking for wearable art that is not your “every day”. She has chosen the designers for the runway show at the Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza based on this notion. Her idea to mix it up with vintage pieces from Sojourner – one of a kind pieces from countries like Guatemala, China, Istanbul, Bali, and Japan, in her words,  “allows the art to speak for itself.”

The New Hope Arts Center is a non-profit organization and art space located on Bridge Street of New Hope, PA. The Arts Center has strong ties to the community offering a place where regional artists and other organizations can showcase their work. Whether its sculpture, textile art, paintings, photography, cinema and performing arts, many local artists have exhibited their works at the Arts Center. For them, it’s about getting the community together. 80% of what they do is free to the public – exhibitions are free.

Carol Cruickshanks, the Executive Director of the Arts Center, runs the Center and its 4-5 staff members.  There is a Board of Directors, members of the community and many artists themselves, that contribute to the Center. Corporations like PNC and Mancuso Show Management often fund the Center’s exhibits. PNC Bank recently funded an outdoor sculpture project. The Arts Center plans to install 12-15 large sculptures in public places like the front lawn of the New Hope Library. However, the majority of funds come from private donors and membership. Professional artist members of the Center can show pieces as part of their membership. For more information on the New Hope Arts Center, visit http://www.newhopearts.org.

Great news! There is no additional charge for the New Hope Arts Center’s Fiber, Fabric, Fashion runway show. Quilt Show admission includes admission to all fashion shows throughout the event. Fashion show seats are available on a first come, first served basis. For more information on the Fiber, Fabric, Fashion, Click Here.

Major sponsors Brother/Byrne Sewing Connection, BERNINA/Steve’s Sewing, Vacuum & Quilting, Baby Lock/Hayes Sewing Machine Company, Janome – Elna/Pocono Sew & Vac; Silver sponsors ABM International/ Innova and Handi Quilter; and Special Vendor Sponsors French Connections and SewBatik generously support the Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza.