Besides the 800 quilts that can be admired during these days in 4 villages that look more like a huge art gallery, the public can also enjoy, the churches, typical villages, the beautiful fall colours and the nice weather of the wonderful Alsatian Indian summer. Friendship, sharing, emotions, fun, are the specifics of the European Patchwork Meeting. _ Last year, a visitor just told us : “So many feelings, slices of life, magnificent or sad are given away and are so touching…”

Exhibitions never shown before with major traditional quilts…
Since its creation, Quiltmania never missed one European Patchwork Meeting and Carol Veillon, will, once more take us to a long journey through Japan with Shizuko Kuroha’s new indigos and through United States of America with Kate Triplett’s beautiful old appliqués from 19th century.

Our long-time partner, France Patchwork will present 3 prestigious exhibitions : the unique and very rich collection of antique quilts “made in France” belonging to Dr. Perrier “Mosaïques d’étoffes” with the new pieces acquired since the first show in Tours in 2001 and “Piqués et boutis de Provence : 800 years of history” curated by the Association “Les Cordelles” from Calvisson ; they are re-printing the Tristan quilt and its 14th century iconography.

The French Association of Anabaptist and Mennonite History as well as the Swiss quilt collector Jacques Légeret will be present for the fifteen time – indeed their first appearance at the Meeting was in 1993 for the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the birth of the Amish movement - and Jacques will make us discover her new acquisitions through an exhibition called “two-toned Amish and Mennonite quilts”.

The renowned shop Den Han & Wagenmakers, famous for its Dutch chintzes will exhibit some of its most beautiful traditional quilts.

And stunning contemporary adaptations of…
As far as the exhibitions are concerned, once more they seem to be quite promising : the Finish Guild, founded in 1990d will be the country guest of honour and is actively preparing a special exhibit just for the Meeting.

SAQA, a worldwide art quilt association counting 1700 members (100 Europeans) will present its first European project named “Wide Horizons” – the curator will be Elisabeth Nacenta de la Croix.

What a delight to welcome again, after its first exhibition in Alsace in 2005, South Africa and its prestigious contest “Innovative Threads 2008” with a new theme “The Only Journey Worth is the Journey Within”. Innovative Threads and its President Tonya Miles are very proud to yearly donate all their profits to an organization in charge of helping young South African children.

The Leetonia artist Elina Lusis-Grinberga will be a wonderful example of creativity : contemporary tapestry, textile art, settings…

Dörte Bach will, for the 5th time, present the finalists of the contest she organized for the 17th Irsee Patchwork and Quilt Schwab Academy seminar with the theme “Sound tracks”. More than 30 high quality creations will be seen exclusively at the European Patchwork Meeting and nowhere else in France.

The international contest organized by the European Meeting “Feathers…” will show the 35 finalists selected by an international Jury specially designated for the occasion.

Exhibitions of European artists…
What gives its European specificity to the Meeting is also all the artists invited to present their more recent creations, traditional or contemporary : Ans Shipper Vermeiren (NL), Marialuisa Sponga (I), Grietje van der Veen (CH), Gerlinde Merl (A) a specialist of linen, Gabrielle Paquin (F) winner of the 2004 contest who loves to work with stripes, Sylvie Ladame (F) who plays with transparencies mixing them with beautiful gold and silver threads, Anita Leutwiller (CH) illustrator of a children book “Excuse me, is this India ?” and its romantic creations, her friend Claudine Joho, a pupil of the Opus School of Textile Arts in London.

The Meeting is also open to the textile world…
In partnership with the Editions de Saxe, we are very pleased to make you discover through the works of renowned artists who exhibited in American, Korean, Finish and British museums, the Korean textile culture : Chunghie Lee and her daughter Jiyoung Chung will interpret ancestral traditions such as pojagi and joomchi in a contemporary way.

For the first time during the event, Hubert Valeri, architect, crazy about embroidery, cross stitch and particularly boutis, will, following his inspiration, decorate the Presbytery of Ste Croix aux Mines with his contemporary boutis and embroideries.

France Point de Croix will give « carte blanche » to the French artist Catherine Primevert very involved in genealogy and cross stitch since her early childhood.

« Les jeunes poussent » will, under the supervision of the French artist Edith Raymond, follow the actual trend and built a whole wall called “inches” (small square no larger than 1 inch) ; also an exhibition of quilts no larger than an A4 sheet of paper will complete the exhibitions sponsored by France Patchwork ; the local association, Val Patch, has invited the Patchwork Club of Ferrette, which is a small village South of Alsace to present a beautiful exhibition called “Traditions, traditions” and Quiltmania will add 25 miniature quilts to its main exhibition.

Outside of the European Meeting, the Textile Museum of Wesserling will, from September 13th 2008 until January 4th 2009, exhibit the works of 4 European artists : Els van Baarle, Jean Draper, Cas Holmes and Cherilyn Martin.

Also…
The Designer’s Corner, a must, will welcome about 20 fashion designers specially selected for the quality and the exclusivity of their creations.

And as if by magic, Anne Wenger(France) and her enchanting world, Monika Line-Golz (Germany) and her beautiful pleated creations, Aiste Baranauskierne (Lithuania) with a spirit from Eastern Europe will take us to the a fashion journey.

A very popular schedule of classes and lectures…
During almost a week, in partnership with Bernina/Activa France and Husqvarna Viking:Pfaff a total of 30 classes will give the possibility to beginners as well as to advanced quilters to get acquainted with the most popular new techniques. The meetings and lectures will feature the life in Amish communities as well as textiles in general.

The largest European shop…
Don’t forget the Commercial area where 120 European and international shops will introduce the brand new fabric collections, quilting supplies, books, sewing machines, software….

We expect to welcome over 18 000 visitors and we still have to unveil many secrets… check on internet on a regular basis www.patchwork-europe.com