Trying something new is a risky proposition! But we did! The Quilters at First participated in the Wichita First Friday Art Crawl this past Friday. It was an experiment. We saw the Art Crawl as an opportunity to show the Wichita community our quilts, or what we like to think of as Fiber Art. Yes–Quilts do qualify as “fiber art” because 1. quilts are made from fabric and fabric is made from fibers. 2. manual labor and artistic choices are part of quilting 3. Quilts can serve a utilitarian purpose but quilt designs also create visual concepts, imagery or a social statements. Plus, we wanted to use the show as a means to invite the community outside of First United Methodist Church to the Quilts Etc. Sale in October.
The Church’s Narthex is perfect for a quilt show. Lots of uncluttered space that curves around the front of the Church. We choose twenty quilts to show. We have 100’s of other items that will be for sale, but want to emphasize the quilts this time. Information about each quilt–size, quilter, pattern etc. was written up so our visitors would learn about each quilt.
Friday morning we set up–using adjustable background stands for portrait photography as nifty quilt holders.
Husbands were recruited–and if you have engineers helping, the quilts are level!!
We served cookies and lemonade. So the table was ready for the homemade cookies!
Five of the quilters also prepare a lunch for the Homeless Resource Center on the first Friday of each month. So there was a lot of multi-tasking! Much of the set-up occurred while the tator tot casserole was baking in the oven. We finished First Friday “set up” in time to serve lunch across the street.
Our show was from 6pm to 9pm–and even though the weather man promised the rain would be gone by evening it wasn’t! But many of our church members came out in the cold and rain to support us. You are appreciated! We had a few community members venture up Broadway to see a new venue. But it was something new for regulars “art crawlers” also.
Will we participate in another Wichita First Friday Art Crawl? Probably yes—watch for announcements and if you see this flag waving outside FUMC on Broadway, come on in and lets us show you our quilts and serve you homemade cookies. And hopefully it won’t be raining and the KC Chiefs won’t be on TV!
We only had two new projects finished this week.
A soft flannel baby quilt was completed. This bright pink and aqua quilt is 40″ x 56″. Both side are flannel. It is machine quilted and very machine washable. $50
Judy made this 13″ x 40″ table runner in an assortment of blue prints. I like that the largest square has the largest print. This table runner would compliment many different types of dinnerware. $40
I am not the first person to say this–But it is September already??? The October Quilt Etc. Sale is just around the corner. It is going to be huge with lots and lots of tempting items!
Quilts, Etc. 