Celebration of Quilts shows years of tradition and craft at show in Anderson, what to know

Creativity in quilting comes in many shapes.

The beginnings came from early American settlers, who had a task of necessity, taking scraps of existing material and creating blankets that are today considered works of art history.

Quilts come in different forms, like a whole piece of cloth quilt or patchwork, and ones with applique. The Biennial Anderson Area Quilt Show, A Celebration of Quilts, comes to the Anderson Sports & Entertainment Center on Friday and Saturday, July 19, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and July 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $6 a person.

This year's event includes an Inaugural Junior Showcase, 17 vendors, live demos all day by The Upstate Heritage Quilt Trail, a boutique of handmade items, opportunity quilts, raffle baskets, a silent auction, and a secondhand shop. The show organizers say 224 quilts will also be on display in over 20 categories.

"Both guilds in Anderson are extensively involved in philanthropic efforts," a press release from Beth Seavey stated. "Quilts, pillowcases, bags, and Christmas stockings are made for those in need around Anderson. Three philanthropy partners will also have booths at the show. Quilts of Valor makes quilts for veterans, and Project Linus makes quilts for children."

Different styles of artistic creativity have emerged over the years in United States history. These styles are often patriotic and honor soldiers, family storytelling, and means of passing on tradition. Family School Online research mentions the United States entering World War I in 1917 and the federal government asking citizens to "Make quilts—Save the Blankets for our Boys over There."

South Carolina Quilts of Valor chapters make yearly quilts for many veterans and hold special ceremonies. The chapter in Anderson has made many, all with a unique name tag on the quilt. Longtime quilter Tina Delk said in a 2018 interview with the Independent-Mail that each quilt requires at least 40 hours of work. But the average is 50 hours.

Nine Patch, Log Cabin, Pinwheel, Eight Pointed Star, Crazy Quilt, Rose of Sharon, Friendship Quilt, God's Eye, Wild Goose Chase, Corn and Beans, Churn Dash, Schoolhouse, Drunkard's Path, Basket, Anvil, Dresden Plate, Grandmother's Flower Garden, Sunbonnet Sue, Double Wedding Ring, Lincoln Platform, Nebraska Pinwheel, Nebraska State Block, and Liberty Star Block, are all styles the National Historical Park Nebraska mentions in its quilt discovery experience report.

The Prickly Fingers Guild website says it was formed in 1990 with 18 members and grew to 100 members. The group meets monthly and supports several local nonprofits with philanthropic quilts. Since January 2023, Electric City and Prickly Fingers guilds have made and delivered 569 quilts for nine area groups: Cancer Association of Anderson, Champions Center, Shalom House, Anderson Pregnancy Care, Casting for Recovery, Bright Light Anderson, Habitat For Humanity, New Foundations Home for Children, and Bleeding Disorders Association of SC, member Beth Seavey wrote.

The Prickly Fingers Guild meets the second Wednesday of each month at the Anderson County Library, 300 N. McDuffie St., Anderson, at 9:30 a.m.

The Electric City Guild meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Hope Fellowship Church, 213 Brown Road, Anderson.