MIDDLEBURY — The Milk and Honey Quilters’ Guild is preparing for their biennial quilt show to be held on Oct. 12 and 13 at the Middlebury Recreation Center.
The first item the guild works on is making a quilt that will be raffled off at the show. This year many guild members had a hand in making the queen size 106- x 86-inch quilt titled “In Flight.” The quilt design uses a traditional block named “Flying Birds” or “Birds in the Air” that dates back to at least 1820 and the setting used is the ever popular “Log Cabin Barn Raising.” To add a contemporary twist to this traditional design, guild members gathered up a beautiful selection of Asian themed fabrics and the individual blocks were sewn by many members of the guild. 
“The name of the quilt was voted on by members and “In Flight” was the clear winner” according to Dorothy Hayes, co-chair of the quilt show. The beautiful machine quilting is by Beverly DesForges.
The raffle quilt will be on display inside The Quilters Corner at Middlebury Sew-N-Vac during the annual “Vermont Shop Hop” from Friday, March 22, through Sunday, March 31, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily with the exception of the Sunday hours, which will be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Quilters Corner at Middlebury Sew-N-Vac, located at 260 Court Street in the Hannaford’s plaza, Middlebury, is one of fifteen Vermont quilt shops participating in the annual 10-day statewide “Shop Hop” that both local and visiting quilters enjoy. A “Shop Hop Passport” can be obtained at any of the participating shops and then folks travel to many, or all, of the shops to find new fabrics and patterns, discover new tips and techniques, receive a free pattern, and door prizes.
The Milk and Honey Quilters’ Guild will be selling raffle tickets Friday-Sunday, March 22-24, and Friday-Sunday, March 29-31 during the “Shop Hop.” They can also be purchased from members of the guild at any time. Raffle tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5.
“Quilting in the Land of Milk and Honey” is the fifth biennial show the guild has organized and will take place this year on Saturday, Oct. 12, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday Oct. 13, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. The mission of the guild is “To promote the art of quilt making through education, friendship and community service.” The guild is inviting quilters throughout the area, as well as guild members, to display their quilts in this non-juried show. For more information and a registration form, see the guild’s website milkandhoneyquilters.com.
“In Flight” will be raffled off on Sunday, Oct. 13, at the quilt show. The winner does not have to be present to win.