Batavia's Quilt & Textile Show returns this weekend

This weekend, Batavia Depot Museum presents its annual Quilt & Textile Show, with the theme, "A Traditional Show With a Contemporary Interest." Show hours are 1 to 6 p.m. Friday, July 15; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 16; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 17, in Shannon Hall at the Eastside Community Center, 14 N. Van Buren St. in Batavia. Admission is $6, $5 for seniors, age 60 and older. It is free to children, age 10 and younger.

More than 150 contemporary and historic quilts and textile pieces will be featured in the exhibit hall. A special exhibit of commemorative quilts will be on display on the stage. Quilts will depict special life events: birth, marriage, graduation, college, anniversary, retirement, etc.

There will be quilt and textile sales, as well as handcrafted gifts in the Artisan Market.

Lynn Contri, a professional quilt appraiser, will be available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 16. The fee is $35 per quilt; allow 30 minutes for each appraisal. Walk-ins are welcome, but if you'd like to schedule an appointed time contact the Batavia Depot Museum at (630) 406-5274 or chrisw@bataviaparks.org.

The Sunday program will be "Why Is It Called a Sad Iron?" A sad iron is a heavy flat iron that was heated on the stove top to press fabric before electric irons were invented. Can you imagine making a quilt using one of these? Not to mention doing every stitch by hand. Luann Bombard will talk about the history of sad irons at 11 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. It is free with quilt show admission.

On Saturday and Sunday, a variety of sandwiches, snacks and beverages will be available for purchase in the vendor hall. Proceeds benefit the development of exhibits and educational programs at the Batavia Depot Museum.

The Prairie Star Quilters Guild will have raffle tickets available to purchase for a chance to win a quilt. It was a group effort, a block exchange within a quilting bee.

Visit www.bataviaquiltshow.com.