Celebrating 24 years, the Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza returns to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center (Oaks, PA) this September 14-17.  Two outstanding fashion shows will, once again, be part of this not-to-miss event.

Award-winning fiber and textile artist, Vickie Clontz, of Annie’s
Keepsakes, will be the moderator of both fashion shows.  On
Thursday, she presents her “Celebrating Art & Fashion” creations at 2:00pm.  Inspired by nature and art from around the world, she will
explore a wide variety of textures, hues and shapes in this captivating collection of wearable art. Join us as we embrace our unity in creativity and applaud our diversity in individuality on our journey of love, learning and illumination. There will also be a Special Accessories in this cultural blend of clothing created by the “Art Tarts” art quilt group of Charlotte, NC. To see more of Vickie’s work, please visit her web-site at www.annieskeepsakes.com.

Saturday at 2:00pm, Vickie turns her attention to the presentation of the SewBatik Challenge Fashion Show.  This challenge was created last year by Bruce and Diane Magidson of SewBatik in conjunction with Mancuso Show Management and asks entrants to be inspired to create day to day street wear or runway style garments.  This year, the challenge fabric is Paisley Esprit – Midnight Sand Storm (pictured left).  Vickie Clontz will award the Judge’s Choice prize to the top entry as well as an Honorable Mention ribbon and the audience will vote for the garment to win People’s Choice. As you read this and become inspired to create your own garment visit www.sewbatik.com (Our Products menu – SewBatik Challenge) to enter.  Entry deadline is August 14, 2017.

These fashion shows are included with your paid admission to the Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza.  Come and be inspired!  For more information about the quilt festival, visit www.quiltfest.com.

Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza XXIV
The Center of It All for Quilts, Wearable & Textile Art
September 14-17, 2017
Thursday, Friday & Saturday 10am – 6pm
Sunday 10am – 4pm

Greater Philadelphia Expo Center
100 Station Avenue, Oaks, PA  19456

The Center of It All!
Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza XXIV
September 14-17, 2017

In 2017, the Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza celebrates its 24th year. This popular event has grown into a “destination” for quilt, textile, fiber and wearable artists. The Extravaganza is the largest and most comprehensive quilt festival in a state known for its rich history of quilting. Held September 14-17 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks (Valley Forge area), PA, PNQE will be dishing up all the ingredients needed for a successful quilt show.

This year’s national competition theme is Not Fade Away, challenging quilt artists to describe how they will pass on the art of quilting to the next generation. In addition, the show’s special exhibitions will fill the aisles with hundreds of works by quilt and textile artists from around the globe. In all, over 600 quilts and works of textile art will be on display. Pictured: 2016 Best Wall Quilt, Waratah by Melinda Bula.

This expansive venue offers plenty of room for the Extravaganza’s mega Merchants Mall. Anyone who has attended in the past will attest to the vast variety of merchandise offered by quality companies.

The 2017 teaching staff at the Extravaganza is sure to enlighten many a student. From beginner to advanced there will be something for everyone. Presenting this year are Frieda Anderson (Illinois), Pepper Cory (North Carolina), Paula Golden (Virginia), Dierdra McElroy (California), David Sirota (New Hampshire), Sarah Bond (Pennsylvania) and more! In addition, and NEW for 2017, are longarm workshops taught by Lisa Calle (Pennsylvania), Jill Churchill (Pennsylvania) and Valerie Schlake (Virginia). Also, certified appraiser Phyllis Twigg Hatcher will be on-site providing quilt appraisals by appointment.

Lectures will also be featured at PNQE. Sarah Bond will present “Many Quilts, One Family: Quilts from my Grandmothers” on Thursday afternoon, September 14. We are also excited to have David Sirota back for a second year in Oaks. In addition to his workshops, he will speak on Friday afternoon at 2pm – “What Makes a Quilter Tick? A Humorous Look in the Mirror.” David’s lecture is included with show registration or general admission.

As if all this isn’t enough to keep you busy, the PNQE Fashion Shows will be returning for a second exciting year! Thursday will feature Vickie Clontz – Celebrating Art & Fashion. The SewBatik Challenge Fashion Show will headline on Saturday afternoon. Both shows will be moderated by Vickie Clontz, and fashion show admission is included with your show admission or registration.

Visit PNQE’s website at www.quiltfest.com for complete workshop, lecture, fashion show and other “Extrav” details.

The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center is located in Oaks, PA just a few miles west from the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Valley Forge exit; just off Route 422. Plus, the overall region presents many opportunities for groups traveling to the Quilt Extravaganza. Valley Forge, Lancaster County, Historic Bucks County and Philadelphia are all within easy reach.

The Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza is generously sponsored by major annual sponsor Brother/Byrne Sewing Connection; Major Sponsors Baby Lock/Steve’s Sewing, Vacuum & Quilting; BERNINA/Hayes Sewing Machine Company; Janome – Elna/Pocono Sew & Vac; Silver Sponsors Handi Quilter and Innova; and Special Vendor Sponsor French Connections.

Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza XXIV
The Center of It All for Quilts, Wearable & Textile Art
September 14-17, 2017
Thursday, Friday & Saturday 10am – 6pm
Sunday 10am – 4pm

Greater Philadelphia Expo Center
100 Station Avenue, Oaks, PA  19456

You are invited to celebrate the world of quilting as the Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza returns to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA, September 15-18, 2016. This popular event is the largest and most comprehensive quilt festival in a state that is known for its rich history of quilting. PNQE will be dishing up all the ingredients needed for a successful quilt show including a unique and beautiful display of over 600 quilts and works of textile and wearable art from across the globe. 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 needlecrafters need to quench their creative thirsts. The Extravaganza is the largest and most comprehensive quilt festival in a state that is known for its rich history of quilting.

The Merchants Mall and Quilt Show daily hours are:
Thursday, September 15   10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Friday, September 16         10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Saturday, September 17    10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sunday, September 18       10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Learn More about the Show Here

Karen D. Boutte – California
Pepper Cory – North Carolina
Robbi Joy Eklow – Illinois
Pat Harrison – Rhode Island
RaNae Merrill – New York
David Sirota – New Hampshire
Bobbie Bergquist – New Hampshire
Phyllis Twigg Hatcher – Maryland
Caroline Hershey – Virginia
Debora Konchinsky – Pennsylvania
Renelda Peldunas Harter, Carolyn Perry Goins & Cindy Simms – Virginia
Lisa White Reber – Pennsylvania
Lisa Steele – Virginia
Janneke Van der Ree – New Jersey

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.