'Quilted Gems' sparkle and shine

COEUR d'ALENE - The North Idaho Quilters guild won't leave anyone hanging by a thread this weekend.

The guild is presenting its biannual quilting show in the Jacklin Building at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow. More than 3,000 people are expected to peruse the 300 quilts entered in the show. This year's theme, "Quilted Gems," reflects the vibrant colors and artistry found in the featured pieces. Special guest quilter Jean Shute will be presenting traditional and art quilts, demonstrating why and how she made them at 2 p.m. both days.

"I love to see what everybody's made," said quilt show 2013 chairperson Nancy Barr, of Coeur d'Alene. "There are some wonderful quilters in this area. They put on quite a display."

Show-goers will get to vote on first, second and third place winners, who will receive hand-crafted ribbons and beautiful, unique buttons.

"They're very coveted," said NIQ president Nona Kay Barclay, of Coeur d'Alene. "People want to earn our ribbons."

The show will include a few challenges and a raffle. For the color challenge, entrants purchased $1 color cards and created an 18-by-36-inch quilt according to the colors they chose by the luck of the draw. Barclay's challenge was pink to red, with a complimentary color of turquoise.

"There'll be some pretty unique examples of that," she said. Barclay said she enjoys quilting and has been doing it for 20 years, but also really enjoys the social aspect.

"Quilters are very nice people," she said. "I've made a lot of friends through quilting."

Vendors will be on the scene to supply fabrics, patterns and tools, and the NIQ's Country Store will be present to sell members' unfinished projects and pieces for bargain prices.

Although a few quilts will sell, the show is more about craftsmanship than making money.

"I do it for the accomplishment, not for the perfection," Barclay said. "Mostly you do it because you love doing it."

Another challenge for the entrants is the Hoffman Challenge, a national challenge that requires the use of a specific fabric. Winning pieces are grouped into collections that travel to various shows, shops and seminars in the U.S. and Canada.

The "Mayor's Choice" award will be chosen by Nancy Edinger, wife of Councilman Ron Edinger, because the mayor will be unable to make this year's show.

The raffle takes place at 3 p.m. Saturday. The prize is the "Amazon Star," a beautiful Judy Niemeyer quilt. Tickets are $1 and can be purchased from NIQ members until the drawing, or by contacting Andi Schoutens at (208) 292-4537 or Carol Niehoff at (208) 772-6604.

The NIQ guild began in 1995. It comprises quilters from North Idaho and Eastern Washington. The guild has donated sewing projects to multiple charities, including Mary's House, Children's Village, Birthright and other care and service facilities. The guild's motto on its website reads, "Our love of quilting is what brings us together!"

Tickets for "Quilted Gems" are $5 at the door. Info: www.niqnews.com