CUMBERLAND — From bright blues and fiery oranges to muted reds and rich chocolate browns, quilters from New York to Texas drove in to the Allegany County Fairgrounds Thursday in preparation for the 28th Biennial Quilt Show, which runs today through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

John Reuschlein, a husband to an avid quilter, has been “needled” into coming with his wife each year, but also said this is a great way to display a different form of art.

“Cumberland has built themselves up as an art community and this show allows people to appreciate another art form,” he said about the show. “It also is a way to feature the many talents of the Appalachian women here.”

And Linda Reuschlein, chairwoman of the quilt show for the past 10 years, agrees.

“This is kind of like an art show but in fabric,” she said. “You get to see beautiful and creative works that people have spent a lot of time on completing.”

Jane Benson, a veteran of quilting and owner of Four Seasons Stitchery in Grantsville, has been displaying her wares since the very first show.

“It’s a lot of fun to see all of the different quilts brought in,” she said. “And it’s a great place to meet people, get inspired for quilts to make yourself or buy one if you don’t want to make it.”

And first-timer Melinda Zongor, curator of the Coverlet Museum in Bedford, Pa., agreed.

“Coverlets are like quilts because both are bed covers, but instead of using needle and thread they are woven,” she said. “But the museum also has its own line of quilting fabrics and patterns all based on the coverlets in our collection, so it’s really interesting to see how those are used.”

And Zongor found some of the museum’s fabrics used in quilts at the Texas vendor’s booth.

“The way they used the fabric is really creative and beautiful,” Zongor said. “It’s just really cool to see someone do stuff with it.”

Also displaying quilts at the show is Stitchin’ Time, a prison service project comprised of no more than 15 men. Starting 10-years ago, these men have donated over 1,000 quilts to the Magdalene House, Project Linus, Johns Hopkins Childrens’ Hospital, Pediatrics at Memorial Hospital, The Family Crisis Resource Center, Salem Childrens’ Home, Shenandoah Women’s Center, Allegany County Sheriff’s cars, veterans’ facilities, ctizens in need and to returning wounded soldiers.

The show will also be displaying the private collection of Kay and Charren Nelson, collectors of antiques and quilts primarily made by the Amish, and quilts and dolls from The Hoffman Challenge — a traveling display of small quilts and dolls made with the same “challenge” fabric.

This year’s featured quilter is Renee Kiddy of LaVale, a quilter for 29 years.

Attendees will also be able to admire quilts along Winners’ Row, this year’s monetary award winners, judged by certified National Quilting Association judges, and non-monetary award winners, judged by a panel of very experienced Schoolhouse Quilting Guild Inc. judges. People are also encouraged to cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award and visit the Train Club display.

The show will also be giving out door prizes, holding a silent auction and raffling two quilts, “Poppies,” pieced by Mary Kennedy and Schoolhouse Quilters’ Guild members, appliqued by Linda Reuschlein and quilted by Linda Leathersich. The second quilt was made in remembrance of Diane Horner, a cancer victim and avid quilter. Tickets for the Horner quilt can be purchased from the Creative Needles Quilt Guild booth with all proceeds going to Western Maryland Health System Foundation to assist cancer patients and their families with unexpected costs not covered by insurance.

Contact Tess Hill at thill@times-news.com.



If you go:

When: June 26-28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Allegany County Fairgrounds Multipurpose Building.

Featured Quilter: Renee Kiddy of LaVale

Displays:

• The Hoffman.

• Private collection of Kay and Charren Nelson.

• Frostburg State University’s U.S.A. Bicentennial quilt entitled “Regional-Historical Friendship Quilt.”

• 22 vendors coming from Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New York and Texas. There will also be demonstrations throughout the three-day event, a quilt appraiser, door prizes, a silent auction and two raffles.