Parade of Patchwork

Quilting, the quintessential American craft. You can just picture them, can't you? The Mennonite womenfolk gathered in the farmhouse parlor, peacefully stitching and chatting. Yeah...and where the hell you been, stuck in 1911? In small towns in the heart of the nation's Craft Belt are shops at which one can...

By Patrick Williams

August 23, 2007

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Quilting, the quintessential American craft. You can just picture them, can't you? The Mennonite womenfolk gathered in the farmhouse parlor, peacefully stitching and chatting. Yeah...and where the hell you been, stuck in 1911? In small towns in the heart of the nation's Craft Belt are shops at which one can spend quadruple digits on automated, computerized quilting machines that rival anything on the factory floors of GM. Yeah, the women still sit, socialize and quilt, but they're probably planning on taking home some cold cash with that blue ribbon. And like anything else of value in America, there's a huge technical and profitable industry behind "country" craftwork. See just how good quilting—old school or new—can get at Quilt Plano 2007, presented by the Quilters Guild of Plano, at the Plano Centre, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $6 at the door and $5 in advance from local quilt shops. The show includes 300 quilts, vendor displays, silent auctions, a raffle and probably a big ol' honkin' machine. Visit quiltersguildofplano.org.
Fri., Aug. 24, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

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Patrick Williams is editor-in-chief of the Dallas Observer. Before joining the staff in July 1997, Patrick worked for the Southern Illinoisan, Amarillo Globe News and San Antonio Express-News. As editor-in-chief, he oversees the newsroom and guides the coverage of both the Dallas Observer’s printed publication and online website.

Contact: Patrick Williams