The County Register

The 19th Annual Fabric of the Forest Quilt Show, presented by the Piecemakers Quilt Club, will be held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 26, 27 and 28, as the Piecemakers proudly participate in Rainfest, the fun-filled annual spring event held in Forks.

The Quilt Show is at the Forks High School Auxiliary Gym, 261 Spartan Avenue. Hours are: Friday, Noon-6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sunday, Noon-4 p.m. There is no admission fee but donations are appreciated.

This year’s show will feature the National Park Centennial Quilts, an exhibit with the landscape, flora and fauna quilts of the 59 National Parks. A book by Donna DeSoto, Inspired by the National Parks, gives individual glimpses into the passionate commitment to preserve, protect and enjoy these special places.

There will be more than 140 colorful and unique quilts on display. Vendors’ products will include: wool kits, wool fabric and patterns, machine cleaning and scissors sharpening, a variety of fabric items and kits — and more. Demos will be done throughout the three days.

The Club’s 2019 raffle includes a 76” x 76” Block of the Month quilt designed by Roxanne Carter, pieced by Marcia Yanish and quilted by Gail Frick.

A second prize is a framed and matted “Fabric of the Forest” poster by Dennis McGregor. Tickets are $1 each and the drawing is on Sunday, April 28.

The 2019 Featured Quilter, Mary Lou Weidman, will present two classes and a lecture. On Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Mary Lou will show how to make different kinds of flowers and birds using her “hoochy mama” method of piecing during “Flower Power.” Then, from 7:30-9:30 p.m., she will present her “Creative YOU” lecture. On Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Mary Lou will be teaching borders with her technique and making funky blocks that are new traditional, dogs, cats, large baskets, sailboats. It will be a class to learn how you take a pattern and totally change it to be your own design. It is about composition and originality.

There is no set admission fee for “Creative YOU’ on Friday night but donations are appreciated. The two classes on Friday and Saturday are $50 each. Registration and more information are available at www.piecemakersquiltclub.org/rainfest.htm. A supply list with instructions will be mailed after registration is received. The classes and lecture will be held at the Department of Natural Resources Conference Room.

Mary Lou has authored five books for Martingale and C&T, owns a pattern company, has designed fabric for 14 years, represents Bernina and has taught all across the US (only missing 2 states), Canada and eight countries. She began quilting as a child with her maternal grandmother. Her father, an artist and musician, taught Mary Lou to look at the world in a curious, positive way. She graduated with a fine arts degree and worked in a variety of art venues before becoming a quilting instructor. Mary Lou said, “For me, it is all about the journey and seeing what I am going to do next. It is the mystery that keeps me passionate about what I do.” Learn more at MaryLouQuiltDesigns.com.

Piecemakers Quilt Club is an educational group that teaches all levels of quilting. Its purpose is to encourage the art of quilting through classes, get-togethers, retreats and the annual Quilt Show. To learn more, visit www.piecemakersquiltclub.org, follow club activities on Facebook or contact Marcia Yanish at 360-327-3770 or marcia@centurytel.net. Information about RainFest activities can be found at forkswa.com/event/rainfest-2019.