The 43rd Annual Sauder Village Quilt Show is again expected to draw quilters from across the country to Sauder Village from May 1 – 5, 2019. Recognized as one of the top quilting events in the Midwest, this annual event features hundreds of quilts, a Vendor Market, Schoolhouse Classes, special exhibits, creative demonstrations, special workshops and more!

For five days starting Wednesday, May 1 through Sunday, May 5 hundreds of quilters will be sharing their talents as both traditional and modern interpretations of quilts are on display in Founder’s Hall. Each year the show is a new experience since once a quilt has been exhibited it cannot be entered into the Sauder Village Show again. With categories ranging from pieced, appliqué, and mixed media to art & innovative, masters, baby, miniatures and youth – guests are sure to enjoy browsing the variety of quilts this annual event has to offer.

“For the past 43 years the Sauder Village Quilt Show has celebrated the rich tradition of quilting while showcasing the fine craftsmanship of quilters from throughout the region,” shared Kim Krieger, Media Relations. “In addition to the quilt exhibits guests can also enjoy a Vendor Market, creative demonstrators, special music, classes and workshops – all set near the charming setting of Historic Sauder Village.”

The Vendor Market will be located in Founder’s Hall and will certainly be a highlight of the week for quilters again this year. In addition to the great selection of fabric and supplies available at Threads of Tradition Quilt Shop, guests will also be able to shop from quilt vendors coming from Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Massachusetts (Wednesday through Saturday). From wool appliqué, patterns, heat packs and greeting cards to quilt racks and ladders, books and notions. . . guests are sure to enjoy the variety of shopping opportunities offered this year!

Many spectacular exhibits have also been planned for the 5-day event at Sauder Village. Quilts by guest artist Pam Buda will be on display in the Quilt Shop from Wednesday thru Friday. Other unique exhibits include the 30th Anniversary Hoffman Challenge, The Chinese Zodiac Collage Quilts, Knot Even Quilters: Text and Texture Challenge, and a Beyond the Garden Gate Challenge.  Another show highlight will be the Sauder Village Challenge – an opportunity for quilters to share special Sauder Village memories and interpret them through fabric!

Throughout the week guests will enjoy live piano music and quilting demonstrations in Founder’s Hall. There will also be a quilt raffle held for the chance to win a 90” x 105” quilt, “Diamond Dazzler”. Raffle tickets will be sold for $1 each or 6 for $5 and proceeds will benefit the Junior Historian Program at Sauder Village. Certified Quilt Appraiser Donna L Kooistra will be at the show to appraise quilts for insurance replacement value, fair market value, and donation value. Quilt appraisals will be done by appointments or by walk-in on Thursday, May 2 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm and Friday, May 3 from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m., and by appointment only on Saturday, May 4.

Registrations are still being accepted for the brand new “Schoolhouse” event, winners preview, lecture and workshops planned as part of the 2019 Quilt Show. New this year guests can attend the “Sauder Village Schoolhouse” – a day of quilting and entertainment to learn about the latest quilting trends, techniques, tools and technology. Guests can choose from multiple subjects taught simultaneously. Class topics will cover the fundamentals of quilting, technique sessions focused on quilting skills and product classes. The $49 registration fee includes lunch with the Schoolhouse activities running from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 3. Each session is held in its own classroom with presentations by a variety of nationally and locally known educators, artists and quilt business personalities including Pam Buda, Donna Kooistra, Electric Quilt Company and many others. Pre-registration is required for the all-day Schoolhouse event. 

Special guest artist Pam Buda will also be offering a lecture and quilting workshops during Quilt Show week. Scheduled workshops include “Colonial Star” on Wednesday, May 1 and “Practice What I Preach” on Thursday, May 2. Pam Buda will also present a special lecture, “Secrets of Professional Quilters – Revealed!” on the afternoon of May 1. Quilt lovers will also want to register for the new “Winners Showcase Preview” to be held on Tuesday, April 30 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Scheduled on Tuesday evening before the show opens to the public on Wednesday morning, this truly is a winner’s reveal and preview of the entire quilt show!  This new evening event will include hors d’ oeuvres, a power point presentation of the top winning quilts, an awards presentation and the chance to be among the first to get a glimpse of the spectacular 2019 quilt show! Workshop/event description, fees, supply list and registration details are available online at www.saudervillage.org . 

Throughout the week guests will also have an opportunity to explore Historic Sauder Village to visit with costumed guides in historic homes, farms and gardens, and community shops. Guests can also watch the many craftsmen at work in the Village including the glassblower, potter, cooper, weaver, spinner, blacksmith and many others! A buggy or train ride, stop at the ice-cream parlor, and Lauber’s General Store are also favorite activities for guests of all ages.

The Sauder Village Quilt Show runs Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. A special “Exhibit Only” admission pass is available in Founder’s Hall for the annual Quilt Show for only $11.00. The admission price for the Quilt Show and Historic Village is only $18.00 for adults and $12.00 for students ages 6-16 or, a two-day pass is available for $28 for adults. Again this year, children 16 and under are free every Sunday this season!

For more information about the 43rd Annual Quilt Show, special workshops or other events planned for the 2019 season at Sauder Village, call 800-590-9755, visit www.saudervillage.org, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.