This is the first room of quilts that we visited at the Souhegan Valley Quilt Guild Show in Amherst, New Hampshire

On Friday, Jim and I headed to southern New Hampshire to attend a quilt show that turned out to be one of the finest shows we have seen in a very long time. The greeters were very friendly and the show and vendors took up all the space on the first floor of the Messiah Lutheran Church. Quilts on racks and hanging from trees greeted us as we entered the parking.

These lovely quilts and others were hung outside and include a banner quilt for the sponsoring group

A vendor outside was selling refreshments, and in another small building were two additional quilt vendors. After we saw the show, Jim went out to the Meditation garden that had some very interesting, flowering shrubs and included a little frog pond, deeper in the woods.

A meditation garden at Messiah Lutheran Church, site of the 2010 Souhegan Valley Quilt Guild Show

The quilts in this show made our hearts sing. What an array of colors and styles, many of them original designs, and others variations based on a few workshops that the group had experienced.

I gave a Crazy Quilt lecture and workshop for this group in 1993. I don’t suppose anyone would remember that, but a few people did say that they read my column in canadian pharmacy online ratings magazine, on a regular basis.

This did not seem to be a juried or a judged show. At least, I did not spot any ribbons. However, everyone seemed to be having a lot of fun in this ambient environment with huge pots of pink geraniums strategically-placed. We also enjoyed a “bed turning” to see a pile of quilts, all hand-pieced, and hand-quilted by “Millie” (last name not mentioned). We would be happy to add a last name! Her quilt with a piece of Belgium chintz in the center was especially exquisite!

All of these quilts were made by one women, hand pieced and hand quilted! Nice work, “Millie!”

Here are some of Jim’s photos of quilts that we love!

Rachel McCombs hand embroidered and machined quilted this 18″ x 30″ echo-quilted quilt.

“Happy Stars” by Connie Wisneski is a 70″ x 70″ quilt that is double-sided. The reverse side features Hawaiian prints and she quilted the quilt from that side. I noticed her beautifully-mitered corners!

“Little Sunday Dresses” by Lisa Scalia is machine pieced; hand appliquéd; hand embroidered; and hand quilted (by her mother). It measures 60″ x 74″ and is made by someone who teaches Smocking!

Lisa Scalia made this quilt as a baby quilt for her fifth child, a little boy. This “Hunter Star” design looks great in 1930s reproduction fabrics! We couldn’t resist the colors!

Last, but not least, is this gorgeous quilt made by Barbara Wood that commemorates the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. The 120″ square quilt features both designs and fabrics by Jinny Beyer and is machine pieced and hand quilted. She calls the quilt, “500 years After Columbus.”

This was a remarkable show and we felt very pleased to see the fine work being done by quilters in our home state. Keep up the good work, ladies!

Patricia Cummings, quilt historian and program presenter