MORRISVILLE – The Americana Village Quilters is preparing for its biannual quilt show, “Spring Into Quilting,” which will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, May 16 and at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 17.

The show will be held at Morrisville Community Church, located on Swamp Road in Morrisville, just off state Route 20. A donation of $3 is being requested for entry and there will be a raffle for a 28 inch by 38 inch quilt created by the group. Raffle tickets are $2 each or $5 for three.

Barb Jenne, President of Americana Village Quilters and co-chair of the quilt show, expects the number of quilts and other creations on display to be greater than the 60 quilts and projects at the last show.

The Americana Village Quilters meets regularly to work on small and large quilts, as well as other creative projects. While a hobby for most of the members, they invest a great deal of time in making these pieces of art.

“It depends on patterns,” explained Jenne when asked about how much time is involved in creating a quilt. “There are many variables. I did a double wedding ring for (my daughter's) wedding gift. It took me a year working during my lunch hour.”

Jenne went on to explain that group members also participates in annual service projects. Each spring, they participate in a large fundraiser for the Wanderer's Rest Humane Association in Canastota. The fundraiser, named “Bone Appetit,” uses the money raised to support the shelter and cover expenses.

According to its website, Wanderers is a nonprofit organization that relies on donations and outside funding. Its mission statement is, “To be an open-admission shelter, dedicated to providing the highest quality care and compassion for the animals entrusted to us, while leading our community in creating a more humane society.”

Another important service project results from the Americana Village Quilters' partnership with Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. located in New Hartford. Hospice serves Oneida, Herkimer and Easter Madison Counties and provides bereavement counseling for school children who have recently lost a close family member.

Jenne explained that these children are allowed to pick out their favorite quilt. “Last year we donated 40 quilts of various sizes,” said Jenne. These quilts have important meaning for the children and can serve as an important part of the grieving process.

“Some even take their well-loved quilt to college with them years later,” said Jenne.

Jenne invites anyone interested in seeing the beautiful quilts to attend the show. Everyone is welcome, quilters and non-quilters alike.

Beyond the show, the group holds a monthly business meeting on the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Hamilton and quilting workshops at 10 a.m. every other Tuesday at the same location. Jenne explained that women of various skill levels come from all over Central New York to quilt together and encourages any person interested in becoming a member to attend the business meeting and/or the workshops. Said Jenne,“Join them to build and share your skills.”