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Quilters Take Manhattan:

A Summer Fundraiser for the Alliance for American Quilts

Asheville, N.C., May 16, 201--

The nonprofit Alliance for American Quilts will present a special Big Apple fundraiser with three linked events in New York City on August 5 and 6.

           

On Friday night, August 5, attend the event "Modern Stories: Documenting the Modern Quilt Movement" an intimate gathering at a Garment District loft.  The evening includes a panel of in-the-know bloggers, fabric designers and A-list quilters discussing the Modern Quilt movement. Also, witness Victoria Findlay Wolfe (Bumble Beans Inc.), custom quiltmaker and co-founder of the New York City Metro Area Modern Quilt Guild and Bumble Beans Basics charity project getting interviewed for the Alliance's oral history project, Quilters' S.O.S. - Save Our Stories (Q.S.O.S.). Refreshments and door prizes.

           

On Saturday, August 6, attend our biggest event "Marianne & Jay on the Runway: A Quilter's Alliance of Fabric & Fashion" at F.I.T., the Fashion Institute of Technology.  Beloved quilt TV host Marianne Fons gives a lecture on "Why We Quilt," followed by her daughter Mary Fons, a slam poet from Chicago who recently launched her own quilt TV show, "Quilty," on the Internet. Then, meet Jay McCarroll, first season Project Runway winner, who is now designing quilt fabric for FreeSpirit. Jay will be interviewed for the Alliance's prestigious Q.S.O.S. oral history project, and take questions from the audience. This afternoon has it all: door prizes, refreshments, goody bags, and an amazing silent auction. (The bad boy of quilting, Mark Lipinski, will be there too: but his role is a surprise for now.)

           

On Saturday evening, walk from F.I.T. to "NY's Ultimate Block Party: Cocktails at The City Quilter" a unique cocktail party in the best and biggest quilt shop in Manhattan- The City Quilter. This just-expanded, eye-popping shop includes a new art gallery for quilts, where you can view an exhibit by Japanese quilter Noriko Endo. Nibble on appetizers and drink wine, while rubbing elbows with Marianne and Mary Fons, Jay McCarroll and lots of surprise quilt celebs. Activities include live bidding in the first-ever show and auction of quilts made by board members of the Alliance for American Quilts.

With this fun trio of quilt-themed events offered a la carte, quiltmakers and quilt-lovers can sample what most appeals to their tastes and budgets. Add in visits to museums, restaurants, a Broadway show and shopping at Garment District landmarks, and you can create your ultimate quilt weekend in the Big Apple! Bring friends and double-up in hotel rooms at the brand new Hilton New York Fashion District, which is giving a special discount for guests attending any of the Quilters Take Manhattan events.

           

All events are designed to give attendees a bang for their buck, as well as a chance to learn about, celebrate and support the dynamic projects of the Alliance for American Quilts.Click here for full information about the Quilters Take Manhattan events with links to online ticket sales.   

           

The AAQ exists to document, preserve and share the stories of quilts and their makers, of every era. Its renowned projects include the Quilt Index, run in partnership with Michigan State University Museum and MSU's MATRIX, which boasts an online archive of more than 50,000 quilts, and Quilters' S.O.S. - Save Our Stories, an oral history project that already exceeds 1,000 posted interviews with today's quilters. The Alliance is different from many quilt organizations because it brings together all types of quilters, as well as quilt historians, curators, collectors, entrepreneurs and educators: these events are proof of the incredible energy produced from merging all these ways to use,make, study and love quilts.

           

A range of affordable ticket options are available, starting as low as $10 for members to attend the Friday night event to $150 for nonmember tickets to the Saturday evening cocktail party, but space is limited at all three venues, so order tickets right away to reserve your place and take advantage of early bird pricing!

           

Also, the Alliance wishes to thank its incredibly generous and creative four Gold Sponsors: New Track Media/ Creative Crafts Group/ Keepsake Quilting, AccuQuilt, AURIfil and Benartex; and our venue sponsors, The City Quilter and Bumble Beans Inc.:

       

  

   

   

New Track Media, Creative Crafts Group, and Keepsake Quilting,"The most trusted names in quilting."

AccuQuilt, "Better Cuts Make Better Quilts."

AURIfil "Perfectly Suited for Every Quilt Project."

Benartex Fabric, "Fabric for Quilters. By Quilters."

The City Quilter, "A Quilting Haven in NYC and Home of the Only Art Quilt Gallery in NY."

Bumble Beans Inc., "Original and Custom Quilts."

Those who attend any of the three events will have a chance to win awesome prizes from all of these incredible sponsors, and other fine items donated by our business members.

           

For a full list of prices and activities for the Quilters Take Manhattan benefit weekend, go to the website of the AAQ, www.AllianceForAmericanQuilts.org.  You'll also find ideasfor filling in a great quilt-themed weekend in New York.