Nearly 50 handcrafted quilt panels created by members of Amador Valley Quilters were displayed on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., as part of the National Quilt Project’s launch July 25.
The Pleasanton-based guild’s 46 panels were among the more than 120 quilts displayed on the front lawn of the Washington Monument during the one-day exhibition. The National Quilt Project, founded by textile artist Mary Milne, is a nonpartisan grassroots initiative that uses fabric art to express shared ideals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to unite people.
The project coincides with the 250th year anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and is intended to bring together fabric squares from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Before their appearance at Washington, D.C., the local panels made their Bay Area debut at the Amador Valley Quilters’ annual Quilt Show in Livermore. Each panel was uniquely made on an 18-inch-by-18-inch fabric square using techniques such as traditional piecing, appliqué, embroidery and painting.
“Having 46 of our guild’s panels selected and displayed on such an iconic national stage in front of the Washington Monument is a profound honor,” said Rhondi Reeves, local coordinator of the project. “Textile art has a unique ability to heal divisions and bring people together.”
Amador Valley Quilters is a Pleasanton-based nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving quiltmaking, promoting education and supporting the local community. More information is available at amadorvalleyquilters.org.
