KINGMAN, Ariz. – The Kingman Quilters Guild opened its 15th biennial quilt show this weekend at the College Park Community Center, filling the hall with color, craftsmanship, and stories stitched across decades.
Among the longtime members greeting visitors was Margie Huber, one of the Guild’s original participants. Huber, a retired physical therapist, first learned to sew while staying with friends who introduced her to the craft by teaching her how to make a simple placemat.
“That’s how I got started,” she said. “When I came back home, they told me to find somebody in the area that quilts and get involved in a quilt group. So that’s how I got into this group.”
Huber later joined a traveling quilting circle that visited shops across Arizona and New Mexico, gathering fabrics and inspiration. One of her favorite pieces on display features a central Arizona‑themed pattern surrounded by her own decorative design work.
“This pattern in the center was the Arizona pattern,” she said. “I designed the decorations around it, and a friend helped me quilt it by putting an extra layer of batting, which was wool. Normally we use cotton, and that’s why it’s my favorite.”
Quilting’s roots stretch back more than 5,000 years, beginning as a practical method for warmth and protection. Over time it evolved into an art form, and in the United States it developed a distinctly American style. Colonial quilts were often decorative, showcasing skill and creativity rather than relying on scraps.
That blend of tradition and artistry is evident throughout the Kingman show. Bold colors, intricate patterns, and personal stories fill the displays created by Guild members.
This year’s event also highlights the Guild’s newest effort: a youth quilting wing designed to teach young makers how to design, cut, stitch, and create pieces of their own.
Eleven‑year‑old Paisley Geraci is one of the program’s enthusiastic participants.
“The different arts in it,” she said. “You can do quilting. You can do hand sewing. There’re different ways and techniques of it. It’s fun. There’re different ways to learn about it. It’s very unique, and it’s definitely a type of art that doesn’t want to be lost.”
With strong attendance and a growing youth program, the Kingman Quilters Guild’s 15th biennial show marks another successful chapter for a group dedicated to preserving — and passing on — a timeless craft.
