Quilt Show History
A World of Quilts helps NSQG maintain its purpose of promoting interest in and encouraging participation in the art of quilting, while stimulating and coordinating the efforts and talents of individuals interested in quilting. Proceeds from a fundraising quilt support a chosen charity, other funds raised support the educational activities of NSQG that in turn help to keep the art of quilting flourishing.
All aspects of quilting – traditional to modern to improvisational to fiber arts – can be found at our show.
The show has several hundred quilts on display including about 200 registered quilts, lectures by a nationally known speaker, and a charity quilt fundraiser along with invitational displays by award winning quilters and special member exhibits. There are quilts for sale, numerous vendors, machine and basket raffles and sewing demonstrations.
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See some Highlights From a Past Show
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The ‘World of Quilts’ Show in 1980 was the impetus for the formation of the Northern Star Quilters’ Guild. What started as a small event in support of the local American Field Service has grown into a quilt guild and an annual quilt show that helps promote the art of quilting. The American Field Service (AFS) had held several quilt raffles before the first two “A World of Quilts” shows in 1980 and 1981 which led to the formation of the guild. The shows were small, fund raising events, admission was $3, held at Somers Intermediate School; by the third show, more space was needed. The guild approached Sr. Barbara, Principal of John F. Kennedy Catholic High School (now Kennedy Catholic High School), about using the school for this purpose and “A World of Quilts” moved to its new home, where it remained for 34 years.
“A World of Quilts” continued to grow. Initially the show was held in early to mid-April, but in its fifth year, 1984, the show date was moved to the first weekend in May – the weekend it has been held ever since. The quilt show flourished even more with a peak attendance at the 1990 show of 3,602 that included 15 buses!
The arrangement with Kennedy Catholic hosting our quilt show continued until 2015. In that year, “A World of Quilts” moved to the O’Neill Center, on the campus of Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT. No shows were held during the Covid pandemic years of 2020 and 2021. In 2022, the show relocated to Purchase College, Purchase, NY.