Pins and Needles Quilt Show returns to Nevada Treasure RV Resort

For the second year, Nevada Treasure RV Resort is hosting the annual Shadow Mountain Quilters Pins and Needles Quilt Show beginning today, Friday.

The event showcases the works of area fiber artists and beyond.

Quilter Joyce Higginbotham said first, second and third place prizes are up for grabs in a variety of categories.

"We have people who make placemats or tote bags and there's also a wearable arts category with clothing," she said. "It's a wonderful variety of crafts because not everyone in the guild quilts. We have some wonderful knitters, crochet and embroiderers. We have several miscellaneous ribbons for best of show, judges' choice, best finishing and best quilting, just to name a few. As we can afford it, we also have a cash prize for first and second place winners."

At present, the guild is roughly 150 members strong.

Higginbotham said some members of the group are not residents of Pahrump, as membership extends to Las Vegas and California.

She noted there are people who visit the community just to enjoy the show.

"We have people who come from all of the surrounding states and they plan their vacations on and around our show and we are very proud of that," she said. "Through word-of-mouth and hard work, we have accumulated a really nice following and we're very proud of that."

An additional feature to the show is what's known as the Art Quilt Challenge.

Higginbotham likened it to a mini-quilt show inside the main show.

"We have had a challenge for a few years now, which is only open to guild members," she said. "The art quilt challenge is a lot of fun and it brings out a lot of creativity."

Another element of the show includes the chance to win the 2016 Opportunity Quilt, which helps to raise funds for next year's show.

Higginbotham said people have the opportunity to win the quilt by purchasing raffle tickets.

"They are $1 apiece or six for $5," she said. "It is handmade by the guild members each year. Lynn McDonald is the one who created the quilt this year. A husband of one of our members made a beautiful custom quilt rack that people can put the quilt on if they wish. This year the quilt comes with a matching body pillow."

Higginbotham spoke about an age-old tradition which will be part of the show again this year.

"The bed-turning event is an old custom and we have members who loan to us old quilts, family quilts and quilts with good stories," she said. "We lay them out on our old brass bed and twice a day we have someone read stories of the quilts. It's very interesting and it's something that goes back a couple hundred years. It's something that we have had for a long time and it's one of the most popular parts of our show."

Although a majority of the guild is comprised of women, Higginbotham said there are a handful of men who practice the art.

"They are as creative as women are and every bit as intricate with their work," she said. "There are some very famous men who have a following and they go to the big conventions and sell their designs. It's not just a woman's thing."

Higginbotham began quilting back in the 1990's.

She noted the beneficial aspects of the activity.

"The art can be therapeutic and we drop into another world when we're doing that," she said. "That's with any of the needleworks. You just immerse yourself in it."

The 2016 Pins and Needles Quilt Show runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

The deadline for entry is closed.

"We invite everybody to come down to the show at Nevada Treasure RV Resort," Higginbotham said. "Admission is $5 per day or you can get a multi-day wristband which is good for all three days for just $8. We'll have vendors selling fabrics and crafty things. We also have a quilt appraiser who will be there to give appraisals for a very small fee. We also have a wonderful silent auction where our members put together baskets. We have 46 baskets with different items that people can bid on in the silent auction."

Contact reporter Selwyn Harris at sharris@pvtimes.com.