Paula Golden and Anna Hergert have stepped up when we needed them and will present lectures at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival, February 25-28, 2016 in Hampton, Virginia.

Paula Golden will present the annual “Early Bird Lecture” at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, February 24, immediately preceding the M-AQF Show & Merchants Mall Preview (open to pre-registered participants only.) In Body Smart Quilting, Paula will discuss how proper body mechanics and ergonomic workspaces (computer, sewing, ironing and quilting) are the keys to quilting longevity. You will also learn ten easy tips to make your workspace healthy and efficient.

The 2014 Canadian Quilting Teacher of the Year, Anna Hergert’s lecture is Everything Old is New Again: It’s Hip to Stitch! Keeping traditional techniques alive and ultimately sharing these has been a strong focus of this presenter. Years of in-depth personal research to augment workshop content and current bodies of work are the impetus for Anna Hergert’s renewed passion in hand stitching and hand embellishment. Be inspired to explore traditional embroidery to gather ideas on how to transfer simple techniques for complex outcomes with this visual feast. Join Anna on Friday, February 26 at 6:00 pm.

Due to serious illness, Mark Lipinski has cancelled all his teaching engagements for the first two months of 2016. While no one can truly replace Mark, Paula and Anna have agreed to lecture in his place.

Mancuso Show Management is happy to announce that the 2016 Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival‘s annual competitions will award over $18,400 in prizes to quilt and wearable art entrants. This year the Festival will include a new category: “Mid-Century Mod”. The Festival, held February 25 – 28, 2016 in Hampton, Virginia, welcomes the new genre to be displayed amongst the always unique and magnificent collection of quilt, wearable and textile arts. Modern quilting has made its mark in today’s quilting world and entrants in the category are asked to draw inspiration from the Mid-Century Mod period of mid-20th century design and reflect their own exposures or from the work of artists such as Joan Miro, Piet Mondrian, Victor Vasarely, and Frank Stella.

M-AQF’s 2016 Quilt Competition theme, “Sew Far, Sew Good”, is a reflection on how M-AQF has progressed leaps and bounds over its 27 years of existence. Entrants are asked to explain how far their quilt making journey has taken them and where they are today as artists. It’s sure to be a beautiful, heartwarming and inspiring exhibit! Pictured: Robber’s Roost by Joanne Baeth.

The accepted quilt entries compete in Traditional, Innovative, Modern and Wall Quilt Categories as well as for the “Best of Show” title, with prizes totaling more than $15,500. The winning works of the quilt competition will travel to The Quilt & Sewing Fest of New Jersey in Somerset, March 3-6, so that another region’s quilt artists can get an up close look at these stunning pieces of art.

Prepared to be dazzled with the exceptional entries from the Wearable Art Competition that will also be on display at M-AQF. The handiwork and detail put into these amazing vests, jackets, coats and full ensembles will astound! The best from among these works will be awarded over $2,800 in prizes. You won’t want to miss these beautiful garments created with creativity, talent and devotion to textile art!

Event attendees can even be part of the judging by voting for their favorite quilt and wearable art entry to win the prestigious Viewers Choice Awards!

Over 500 magnificent quilts and garments on exhibit, workshops and lectures taught by an international faculty and a fabulous Merchants Mall – it’s all waiting for you at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival.

Founding Sponsor BERNINA/Nancy’s Calico Patch; Major Annual Sponsor Brother/Tidewater Sew-Vac; Major Sponsors Baby Lock/All Brands, Janome/Sew E-Z, and Husqvarna Viking/Bella Fabrics; and Silver Sponsors ABM International / Innova and Handi Quilter generously sponsor the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival.

For complete M-AQF details, including workshop and lecture information, please visit quiltfest.com. Or, to receive a printed brochure in the mail, please write to M-AQF, PO Box 667, New Hope, PA 18938.

Mancuso Show Management announces the always spectacular Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival at the Hampton Roads Convention Center, February 25 – 28, 2016. Not only does this incredible event feature astounding works of quilting art, it also offers a wide array of workshops presented by world-renowned instructors along with a fabulous Merchants Mall for plenty of shopping. The Festival’s centerpiece, however, will again be its outstanding collection of over 500 quilts and works of wearable and textile art on display. In addition to the competition entries, there will be special exhibitions of quilts and textile art on display. This ever-popular quilting arts event is one not to be missed!

“The Hampton Roads Convention Center, which hosts this fabulous event, is an ideal venue for a quilt festival of this magnitude,” states David Mancuso, President of Mancuso Show Management. He adds, “The exhibition space along with the break-out rooms for workshops and the nearby official event hotels make this a win-win situation for Show Management and the City of Hampton.”

This year’s Quilt Competition themed “Sew Far, Sew Good” gives entrants an opportunity to tell show-goers about the secret treasures hidden away in their fabric stash! In addition, 2016 will premier a Modern Quilt Category in the quilt competition titled “Mid-Century Mod.” Also, while attending the event, be sure to explore the Wearable Art Competition where you will find unique full ensembles, vest, jacket & coat entries on display. The Quilt and Wearable Art Competitions will feature magnificent works by some of the nation’s finest quilt and fiber artists. Take part in judging by casting your vote for the Quilt and Wearable Art Viewer’s Choice Awards. Pictured: Snow Buddies by Ruth Powers.

From award-winning quilters to those who would like to sew their first stitch, everyone will find workshops and lectures that will introduce them to the latest innovations in the quilting world. This year a multitude of workshops and lectures will be offered by a stellar line-up of instructors teaching all levels. In addition, you also will not want to miss the “best time you’ll ever have” at a quilt festival at the Game Zone: Quilters’ Strip Poker/Quilt-O Combo, held on Friday evening, February 26. For those who are interested in pre-registering for workshops, lectures and activities at the festival or for additional information, the show’s website is quiltfest.com.

Everything needed to make the beautiful quilts and works of textile art on exhibit is available in MAQF’s Merchants Mall. The vendors, occupying over 250 booths, will be offering the best in machines, fabrics, notions, wearable art, embroidery and everything for the quilter, textile artist and home sewer.

Founding Sponsor BERNINA/Nancy’s Calico Patch; Major Annual Sponsor Brother/Tidewater Sew-Vac; Major Sponsors Baby Lock/All Brands, Janome/Sew E-Z, and Husqvarna Viking/Bella Fabrics; and Silver Sponsors ABM International / Innova and Handi Quilter generously sponsor the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival.

For complete M-AQF details, including workshop and lecture information, please visit http://quiltfest.com/. Or, to receive a printed brochure in the mail, please write to M-AQF, PO Box 667, New Hope, PA 18938.