Anyone with an interest in the “Exotic Garden” quilt at Inspire! Quilting and Sewing are in luck.
The quilt, which is currently not for sale, will be raffled off by the Berry Patch Quilters of Plant City in February. It’s a one-of-a-kind item, handmade just for this occasion.
“Each block was made by a different member of our quilting guild,” quilter Elaine Green said. “It was long-arm quilted.”
The raffle will be the main attraction of “Quilts — a Piece at a Time,” a show that the guild plans to host Feb. 8, at First Presbyterian Church. The guild will display quilts made by members, as well as family quilts that have been passed down from generation to generation, and a quilt appraiser will be available for a small fee. The guild also encourages anyone to set up their own booth to sell their own quilts. Lunch will be made at the church, and those who get hungry can buy food there.
Proceeds from the raffle and show will benefit a number of Plant City-area charities. Meals on Wheels and the United Food Bank of Plant City will receive some of the money, and the guild also will use some of the proceeds to provide quilts for the homeless, for newborns at South Florida Baptist Hospital and for dialysis patients.
“We made the decision in the last couple of years to keep our charity work in Plant City,” Green said. “The philosophy of our group is that if we hear of a need, we’ll try to fulfill it.”
The show should also give the Berry Patch Quilters some exposure. The guild comprises about 30 people and typically meets at First Presbyterian. Quilting, sewing and crocheting are just a few of the methods the guild members practice, and they’re willing to share their knowledge.
“We’ll teach anyone that wants to learn,” Green says.
Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.
IF YOU GO
Quilts — a Piece at a Time
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8
WHERE: 404 W. Reynolds St., Plant City
TICKETS: Tickets are being sold for $1, but people can also buy six tickets for $5. Those who wish to buy tickets can get them from any member of the quilt guild or at Inspire Quilting and Sewing, 101 N. Collins St.
INFORMATION: For more information, contact Elaine Green at (813) 986-1141. To set up a booth to sell quilts, contact Mike Daramus at (813) 707-5720.