The theme this year is Cabin Fever. "The name was originally an inspiration," said Vance, "then the
snows turned it into reality. The work on many of the pieces on display was done while people were
snowed in this past winter." Among the large number of bedsize quilts on display is an authentic log
cabin quilt, hand stitched in the traditional way and a wool applique quilt. The quilt featured on the
postcard, "Cabin in the Stars" is for sale.
As in past years, the annual Apple Butter Festival quilt makes its debut at the show. This year, the
quilt is "Stars and Dragonflies". The background fabric in soft beiges, turquoise and white shows
subtle images of bamboo and dragonflies. The blocks are intricately pieced stars in shades of blue,
turquoise and copper. The outer bluegreen borders hint at forest serenity and feature stencilled bronze
dragonflies. "It's a different feel than previous years," said Rika Bennett who made the quilt to be
chanced off at the Apple Butter Festival. "Stars and Dragonflies" is the 19th quilt Bennett has
produced for the festival.
About 40 members of the Delectable Mountain Quilters have work in the show. In addition to full-size
quilts and wall hangings for display and sale, guild members also produce smaller pieces. This year,
three items are featured including a coloring book tote for kids that comes with crayon and book, tote
bags and a jewelry case with flannel lining. "We want there to be items for every budget," said Vance.
"For quilters, we have a good price on a fat quarter of hand dyed fabric."
The look of being Quilt Central spreads to business windows and walls all through town with the 6th
annual Yard-Square Quilts -- a six-week display of 46 small pieces hanging from mid-April until the
finale at the Ice House on Sunday, May 30 when a 4pm live auction sells off the quilts.
On Saturday and Sunday, May 8 and 9, a collaboration of quilters, playwrites and actors produce
Piecework. "We are staging locally written one-act staged readings at the Ice House," said Piecework
director, Abbie Brown. Each play has a small quilt designed and created to match the play topic.
"Audiences will laugh, cry and have a chance to win those special yard-square quilts for the price of a
ticket," said Brown.
The special quilt exhibit is funded in part through grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the
West Virginia Commission on the Arts and local hotel/motel tax revenues. The Ice House is located
on the corner of Independence and Mercer. The gallery is open from 11am to 5pm Saturdays and
Sundays. For more information call 304-258-2300 or check online at www.macicehouse.org
