Judges Stacy Kohler, left, and Linda Miller examine the fine details of a beautiful quilt during evaluation. (Salem News photo by Morgan Ahart)

SALEM– The incredible devotion and skill required to create a high-quality quilt will be on display for all to see at the United Quilt Guild’s 11th Biennial Quilt Show this week at the Salem Centerplex.

“We truly love quilting, it’s something that provides us opportunities not only to socialize and make connections, but is something creative we can do with our hands” Judging Committee Chair Dee Hart said of quilting.

The Quilt Show begins Thursday, and will continue through Saturday, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Salem Centerplex, located at 1028 North Ellsworth Avenue. Admission is $6 a day or $10 for a three-day pass. This year’s theme is Quilts in the Garden, and the show had 125 entrants this year.

The show will also feature a Dream Basket raffle of more than 40 baskets with a range of themes beyond just sewing and quilting, two raffle quilts, a market place selling hand crafted items by Guild members, a “Garage Sale” featuring unique items not related to quilting. There will also be a designated refreshment area where guests can sample a number of delicious homemade items including pulled pork, sloppy joes, hot dogs, chips, several pies for dessert, and cold drinks.

There will also be several vendors present selling quilts, sewing accessories, and many other crafts related items.

This year’s chosen charity to receive 20 percent of the show’s profits will be the Sophia Women’s Center, a woman’s reproductive health clinic located at 1830 South Lincoln Avenue. Sophia Women’s Center specializes in providing high quality care to young women facing unplanned pregnancies. Past recipients have included Walnut Grove Field of Opportunity, Second Harvest Food Bank, the American Heart Association, The Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center and others.

The Demo schedule includes: No-Show Binding at 11 a.m. Thursday; Wool Applique at 1 p.m. Thursday; Folded Star Ornaments at 3 p.m. Thursday; Morning Star Blocks at 11 a.m. Friday; Working with Yo-Yos at 1 p.m. Friday; Hexes from Circles at 3 p.m. Friday; Hand Quilting at 11 a.m. Saturday; Dresden Plates at 1 p.m. Saturday; and Paper Piecing at 3 p.m. Saturday.

The judging of the quilts was held Tuesday, with a full 14 categories for potential participants to choose from. The expert judges, who are both certified by the National Quilting Association, closely examine every entrant from multiple viewing angles in four main categories, design/general presentation, workmanship, quilting, and finishing.

For each category the judges will choose a first, second, and third place winner, and an honorable mention, which receives a special ribbon and recognition. There is also an award for viewer’s choice voted on by guests of the show. All guests will receive a viewer’s choice ballot to indicate their favorite entry, and can write any comments, which are much appreciated, on the back of their ballot. The ballot box will be located in the lobby area near the entrance to the show.

The United Quilt Guild was formed in 1990, and presented their first quilt show in 2001, the show has since become a staple of the community. Meetings include classes, speakers and even a Challenge Night and anyone with an interest in quilting is encouraged to attend, “come join us if you’re interested in quilting,” Hart said. For meeting times and locations visit www.unitedquiltguild.org. The Guild is always accepting new members, and dues are $16 a year.