Lake City Quilt Walk 2010

Lake City, FL, had a Quilt Walk last weekend, and I was there to enjoy the fun.
What is a Quilt Walk?
It's when shops along a street decorate their windows with quilts so you can walk along and enjoy the views!

Lake City has a lovely restored historical downtown area (N. Marion Ave, right off Route 90...only 6 miles from the exit on I-75). With plenty of parking, it's easy to leave your car behind for a peaceful stroll. You may decide to stop in for a visit at an antique shop, old time drugstore fountain or several  other businesses.

This car-hop gal is ready to serve up some tasty looking quilts!

The Computer Guys don't think quilts are too "old fashioned". I bet they have lots of quilters come in for help with keeping their computers and printers humming along.

Amygene's Embroidery Studio really does turn out shirts, caps and other embroidered items, but they also have a great selection of fabric. Gene Perry is very active in keeping the historic area alive and drawing visitors into Lake City. He and wife Charlotte are opening another fabric shop across the street to take care of stitchers who have been left stranded when Wal-Big Box got rid of the fabric department.

Right next door is the grand old Blanche Hotel, currently used for office spaces. The second floor mezzanine had Teddy Pruett doing quilt appraisals, a couple of quilters doing some great demonstrations, and a one-woman show by Sandy Lindfors.

I love to see a large collection of one person's work, all hung together.

To the right in the back you can see one of the two Lastest Trends among Lake City quilters...a free pattern from McCall's Quilting magazine called "Scrappity-Do-Dah".

The other popular pattern is "Four Patch Posey", a version of the old four-patch kaleidoscope setting merged with cutting "Stack & Whack" style. Simple...but loads of fun!

Also at the Blanche Hotel's restaurant, Tucker's Fine Dining, was "Lunch & Learn" each day.

                      

I had the pleasure of sharing my talk "Pot Holder Therapy" with a group of very lively ladies. The food was great, and what's better than eating while someone entertains? The main idea of this humerous lecture is how to quilters can increase their mental health.

There was a quilt show planned for the Baptist Church at the end of the street, but at the last minute it was bounced out in favor of holding a wedding.

Never ones to be denied, quilters quickly found a spot at the mall in a vacant store space....though it was not within walking distance of the other events.

The show included quilts of all kinds and had quite a bit of hand-quilting. It's wonderful when quilters share what they've made...there were ribbons and awards, but the best part is seeing all the quilts hung up. There is so much to learn by looking at other people's quilts.

The "Goodwrench" quilt is crocheted...and yes, it actually is a quilt! It is backed, and therefore stabilized, with pre-quilted muslin, accounting for the layers neccesary to call it a "quilt". It's always interesting when things like this turn up to challenge our thinking! And even if it's not to my personal taste, it is obviously a labor of love. That's something we can all appriciate.

 

I can't show all every quilt, but this group-made Chicken Quilt is totally delightful! This great collection of appliqued and embroidered blocks, sashed with chicken-wire print fabric, must have been fun to make.
Also on display were two raffle quilts, one for the local guild Lady of the Lake, and another for Stephen Foster State Park where the guild hosts an annual show (October 15--17 this year). A demo out front, several vendors, and a private collection of antique red & green quilts completed the show.

Right across Rt. 90 from the mall is the Fabric Art Shop...I wish I had a picture of the beautiful purple building! Many quilters visiting the Quilt Walk found their way to this haven of fabric, art supplies and quilting machines.

The 2010 Quilt Walk may be over, but Lake City is always there waiting for you to visit when travelling on I-75.  Make a stop when you get to Exit 427!