Every other year, the Quilt Alliance (of which I am a proud member) hosts a fantastic fundraising event called Quilters Take Manhattan. I love attending, partly because it’s such a fun gathering, and partly because I love spending time in New York City, where my oldest, Hannah Fons, lives. Because tickets always sell fast, I had already purchased mine earlier this year, before COVID changed everything. I was given the option for a refund or to use my tickets for the revised event, online of course. Easy decision, I kept them.
The renamed celebration of all things quilting, Quilters Take A Moment, happens later this month, and I urge you to “attend” with me! The virtual event offers quilt celebs and great sessions galore. Read on, and use the many links I embedded to learn more about the amazing lineup.
Live presentations on Friday via Zoom include “The Incubation of a Quilt,” with designer and trendsetter Anna Maria Horner, followed by the debut of artist, writer, and independent curator Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi’s interview with the legendary Dindga McCannon.
Saturday kicks off with “The Quilt Keepers,” a panel discussion featuring the brilliant historian Merikay Waldvogel, fashion designer Emily Bode, collector and quilt dealer extraordinaire Julie Silber, and other luminaries. Laura McDowell Hopper will lead us on a virtual tour of the online exhibit, “Known and Unknown: Revealing Quilt Stories,” which includes quilts from Victoria Findlay Wolfe, Jacquie Gering, and Chawne Kimber, as well as antique and vintage quilts never before shown. Tucked in between the major live events will be music by one of my best quilt pals, Ricky Tims, a little bit of quilt comedy, and (I understand) some dancing!
What’s exceptional about Quilters Take a Moment is that it’s more than just a two-day event. Pass holders will have access to the event’s website whenever they want—for years to come! “The website will be a place for quilters to get away whenever they need inspiration, information, or just want to look at some amazing quilts,” according to executive director Amy Milne.
Learn more about this exciting event and sign up here. Event passes are $45 for members, $65 for nonmembers.
To entice you further, I have two free passes to give away. If you’d like one of them, just email me via the “contact” option toward the top right on this page by September 10. I’ll put all your names in an actual hat and draw the first one out on September 11, the second on September 13.
Laurie Snook
Marianne, Thank you so much. You are a great designer and teacher.
Judy Dayhoff
Marianne,
So much has changed because of Covid-19 so it is encouraging to see how we have all learned to cope.
This is a perfect example.
Dee Winter
I had already bought my Home ticket, so I’m getting to attend also! I am looking forward to it.
Marianne Fons
Dee, to you and all my readers who have asked to have their name put in the hat. I will be locating my hat and writing everyone’s names on scraps of paper. Stay tuned!
Roberta MacKinnon
thanks for the opportunity to win tickets to this event. I think quilting and sewing instructors have been some of the best “adapters” to this new world of virtual events. After all we have been learning to sew and quilt by watching PBS for years.
Susan Shillito
I’d love a pass!
Marianne Fons
Your name is in the hat, Susan!
Marianne Fons
Susan, you were yesterday’s winner!
Betty
Thank you for your kindness.
Mary Mockaitis
Please add my name to the hat. Thanks for the chance to experience this wonderful quilting opportunity! (I also sent you a message via the “contact” route.)
Marianne Fons
Thanks, Mary, and everyone who has (and continues to) email me your name. Please do spend some time on the website so even if you DON’T win, you will still feel the urge to sign up! The Quilt Alliance needs all of us!
Diana Hearif
I’d love the opportunity to win a pass to this event!
Diana Hearit
I’d love to attend virtually!
Roberta Johnson
Please put my name in the hat. Thank you!
Erick A Wolfmeyer
Really enjoyed Hannah’s TED. Thanks for sharing the link and for “making space.” 🙂
Marianne Fons
Erick, thanks so much for watching it. I am a huge fan of my oldest offspring!