“Our whole philosophy as a guild is to promote and encourage the art of quilting which has been practiced for hundreds of years,” said judge coordinator Mary Durkin.

The show begins Thursday at the Salem Centerplex located at 1028 N. Ellsworth Ave., and will continue through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The show’s theme will be “Our Material World” and admission will be $6 a day or $10 for a three-day pass.

Durkin said that this year’s show had received roughly 110 submissions across 17 categories, each designed to exemplify and celebrate a particular type of quilt or technique. There will also be judge superlatives awarded for best of show, best use of color, best machine quilting, best hand quilting, best original design quilt, best use of embellishment, a judge’s choice award for each of the show’s two judges – head judge Linda McCuane and judge Terry Simon – and a viewer’s choice, which is voted on by show attendees.

“For a small community guild that’s really a nice sized show,” said Durkin.

Each year the United Quilt Guild Quilt Show judges closely examine each detail of the submitted quilts including design and use of color, piecing and applique accuracy, embellishments, sashing and borders, quilting, edge treatment and binding, and the reverse side, giving them a rating from needs improvement to excellent. Head judge Linda McCuane said that the purpose of the criticism is always to encourage and help the quilter improve. Shown from left are McCuane and judge Terry Hunter. The show is set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday at the Salem Centerplex. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

The judging of the quilts was held Tuesday morning and saw McCuane and Simon closely examine each aspect of the quilts from multiple angles. They considered the execution of each aspect of the quilt and how they contribute to the overall piece including design and use of color, piecing and applique accuracy, embellishments, sashing and borders, quilting, edge treatment and binding, and the reverse side, giving them a rating from needs improvement to excellent.

McCuane said that in judging a quilt the unique design, visual impact, construction of the quilt and workmanship are all important details to consider, as well as if the corners match and whether the quilt has a plain or designed edge finish. McCuane explained that beyond the aesthetic component these details directly impact the longevity of the quilt as the strength of the seams and stitching will affect how long the three layers of a quilt remain intact.

McCuane also stressed that the purpose of judging the submissions in such detail was always to encourage the quilter and help them improve, with each quilt often receiving unique, private comments of what aspects were done or worked well and why, and what could be improved and how.

“There is no perfect quilt, just like there is no perfect person,” said Hunter.

The show is also set to feature food and craft vendors, a “Dream Basket” raffle, and two quilt raffles. As always 20% of proceeds from the event will be donated to support a non-profit, with Sleep in Heavenly Peace selected to be the beneficiary of the show. Sleep in Heavenly Peace builds and delivers beds to children and families in need. Past recipients have included: the Sophia Women’s Center, Walnut Grove Field of Opportunity, Second Harvest Food Bank, the American Heart Association, The Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center and others.

The United Quilt Guild formed in 1990 and presented its first quilt show in 2001, which has since become a staple of the quilting community. The guild is always accepting new members and annual dues are $20. Guild meetings and programming include classes, speakers and even a Challenge Night. Those who enjoy or are interested in learning more about quilting are encouraged to attend. For meeting times and locations visit www.unitedquiltguild.org.

Each year the United Quilt Guild Quilt Show judges closely examine each detail of the submitted quilts including design and use of color, piecing and applique accuracy, embellishments, sashing and borders, quilting, edge treatment and binding, and the reverse side, giving them a rating from needs improvement to excellent. Head judge Linda McCuane said that the purpose of the criticism is always to encourage and help the quilter improve. Shown from left are McCuane and judge Terry Hunter. The show is set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday at the Salem Centerplex. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

The 12th bi-annual United Quilt Guild Quilt Show is set for this Thursday through Saturday at the Salem Centerplex from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In preparation for the event judging was held Tuesday morning for the more than 100 quilts submitted for the show. Shown from left is judge coordinator Mary Durkin, head judge Linda McCuane and judge Terry Simon. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)