Page 2 / NEWS, TRENDS, GOSSIP AND STUFF TO DO : Orange County : No Blanket Statements

When a few quilters get together, there’s always lively talk about blocks, batting and backing.

But when 2,000 quilt lovers hook up, it’s surprisingly quiet. Or at least it was at the Quilt Show on Saturday and Sunday at Irvine Valley College, where respectful appreciation tended to dominate.

Sponsored by the Flying Geese Quilters Guild, the exhibit showcased 28 turn-of-the-century quilts from the Ruby Short McKim Collection. McKim was a pioneer in publishing books on quilt blocks, explained a volunteer docent.

Guild members also displayed 235 pieces of their work, from small wall hangings to full-sized bed quilts. Some were practical--just throw ‘em on the bed, thank you--but others were made for art’s sake, said show chairwoman Wendy Price.

Proceeds from the exhibit, which raised more than $10,000, will help the guild in its community work. In the past, the group has purchased or made quilts for various organizations, including the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, the Ronald McDonald House in Orange, the Aliso Viejo Library’s children’s reading hour and the House of Hope shelter in Orange.

“We made quilts patterned after the book ‘Sweet Clara’s Quilt’ and gave them to elementary schools along with [a copy of] the book to aid in their studies of black history in America,” Price said.

The group is probably best known for its quilting demonstrations at the the Orange County Fair, but it prides itself on contributing to quilt organizations that promote quilting in different forms. “We also have a Little Red Hen auction that raised $3,500 this year for Mary’s Shelter, Susan G. Komen Beast Cancer Foundation and Women’s Transitional Living Shelter,” Price said.

The Irvine-based Quilters Guild was founded in 1985 by 30 women and has grown to more than 350 members, she noted.

“Some of them made the quilts for the movie ‘How to Make an American Quilt,’ ” Price added.

Members’ work has also been displayed at the Irvine Fine Arts Center, as well as the Newland House in Huntington Beach, the Waffle-Howe House in Santa Ana and Heritage Hill Park in Lake Forest.

“We welcome quilters of all levels--from those just interested to the very experienced,” Price said.

The nonprofit organization meets the second Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Irvine Presbyterian Church, 5 Meadowbrooke. (949) 552-3299.