SPRINGFIELD, MO, USA—Paula Johnson, board chair of Ozark Piecemakers Quilt Guild, is pleased to invite the public to the 2024 OPQG Show. The three-day fundraising event will be held in the E*Plex of the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, 3001 N. Grant Ave., Springfield, MO, 65803, from September 26th-27th from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm each day and on September 28th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
“This is an exciting event for the guild,” Johnson said. “We host a large, three-day quilt show every two years, which is the primary source of operating funds for the all-volunteer nonprofit organization,” she added. “The guild has been hosting bi-annual quilt shows in Springfield for two decades.”
The 2024 OPQG Show plans include
- Cash prizes for first through third place will be awarded in a variety of categories, including Best of Show, Best Hand Quilting, Best Machine Quilting, Judge’s Choice, Viewer’s Choice and others
- Over 800 quilts, including a stunning 165’ display of patriotic quilts, will be on display.
- The Monarch Butterfly Cherrywood Fabrics’ “Milkweed” traveling exhibit will be in the exhibit hall.
- A large number of vendor/exhibitor booths featuring fabric, notions, sewing and longarm machines and more
- Classes on English paper piecing (EPP), beginning wool appliqué, slow stitching and landscape quilt design
- Two lectures, “What the Judge Sees” and “Project Runway,” by NACQJ-certified quilt judge, Sandy Gard
- Lecture “Behind the Scenes of a Ghostwriter” by professional quilt pattern designer Kim Forman of Kimberly Forman Creative
- A lecture and trunk show by nationally-known 15-year-old quilter Lorelai Kuecker. Kuecker’s work has received awards at the Missouri State Fair, the Ozark Piecemakers Quilt Show, the Kansas City Regional Quilt Festival, and the Branson AQS Quilt Show. She now creates piecing patterns and utilizes free-motion longarm quilting to highlight her designs. This trunk show will take you along that three-year journey from a Quilt of Valor to collaborations with industry leaders. Learn about her lessons and her dreams for what lies ahead.
- Guild members will host free antique “bed turnings” featuring quilts 50 or more years old and bed turnings “of the future” featuring quilts five years old or newer will be held each day of the show.
- An extensive collection of handmade quilts, gift baskets and other items will be for sale in the Guild Boutique in the vendor hall and in the Buy it Now—Quilts & More booth in the exhibit hall.
- A Quilts of Valor ceremony will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, September 28th, to present patriotic quilts to local veterans.
- On-site quilt appraisals will be available by appointment and provided by Carol Elmore, AQS Certified Quilt Appraiser.
- Free package check, free parking, on-site concessions, handicap-accessible restrooms
- Guests will have the chance to win a door prize each day they attend
- Various vendors will host free demonstrations at the top of each hour.
- Single-day tickets are $12 each (at the door), and a three-day pass is $25 and can be purchased at opqgshow.com. Kids 12 and under are free.
Guild members will sell raffle/fundraiser tickets during the event. Drawings for a 91” x 90” custom quilt professionally appraised for $3,500, a pristine, vintage Singer Featherweight 221 sewing machine with accessories and case and a new BabyLock Allegro sewing and quilting machine will be drawn at the end of the show on Saturday, September 28th at approximately 3:00 pm Tickets for each raffle can be purchased at the show or on the guild website, ozarkpiecemakers.com
Formed in 1981, the Ozark Piecemakers Quilt Guild is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization serving Springfield, Missouri, and the greater Ozarks surrounding areas. OPQG focuses on the love of quilting lasting friendships, community outreach and education. OPQG consists of quilters with a wide variety of skill levels, from beginner to the most experienced, and includes people of all ages covering various sewing interests, techniques and methods.
The OPQG mission is to promote the love of quilting through lasting friendships, community outreach and education. OPQG was formed to promote fellowship between people interested in quilting and quilting-related arts. We encourage participation in all programs and events, do not discriminate, and work to educate groups and individuals about the art and enjoyment of quilting while serving our local community. Visit ozarkpiecemakers.com for more information.
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