Annie’s Star Quilt Guild, Harvest of Quilts 2024 | Chico, CA
In November, I had the privilege of returning to my hometown of Chico, CA, to attend the Harvest of Quilts 2024 show, hosted by the Annie’s Star Quilt Guild. The event, held in the Commercial Building at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds on November 2-3, was a true celebration of quilting — showcasing the incredible talent of the guild’s members and offering a glimpse into the artistry and craftsmanship that goes into each quilt. It was a heartwarming experience, as not only did I have the chance to photograph the event, but I also got to connect with the vibrant quilting community that has been such a big part of my mother’s life.
Annie’s Star Quilt Guild, formed in 1981, is a thriving organization with roughly 140 members, and the biennial quilt show is one of their most anticipated events. This year, the show featured an impressive 257 quilts, with each piece a testament to the talent, dedication, and passion of the guild members. The craftsmanship was nothing short of astounding. From vibrant modern designs to more traditional quilts, each work displayed meticulous attention to detail—whether it was the careful stitching of a hand-quilted piece or the striking color combinations of a machine-appliqué quilt.
One of the highlights of the show was the featured artist, Linda Austin, a longtime quilter and guild member for over a decade. Linda’s “nook” at the show was filled with a stunning display of her quilts, and she warmly greeted visitors stopping by throughout the weekend to admire her beautiful work.
There were also many opportunities for visitors to take home something special from the show. Several vendors set up booths selling everything from quilting tools and fabrics to handmade jewelry, baskets, chocolates, and even local honey. The guild also hosted a boutique, where handmade items donated by members, such as placemats, table runners, and pillow covers, were available for purchase. Proceeds from the sale of these items goes toward the guild’s ongoing activities and community outreach efforts.
For me, one of the most meaningful aspects of the show was the Opportunity Quilt raffle. This year’s quilt, titled Birds and Flowers, was a beautiful 62×73-inch wall hanging crafted by the late Judy Johnson, a beloved guild member. After her passing, Judy’s family generously donated the quilt to the guild. The quilt’s bright, hand-appliqué flowers on a cream background immediately caught the eye of many attendees, and I was fortunate enough to photograph it both before and after the raffle winner was drawn. A local hairdresser was the lucky winner and I was glad I could be present to photograph her receiving the quilt.
One of the most moving aspects of the guild’s work is its community service projects. Throughout the year, guild members donate countless hours making quilts for various local organizations, including Meals on Wheels, the Esplanade House (a transitional housing program), the Butte County Humane Society, and disaster relief efforts like those following the fires in Paradise, CA, and Maui, HI — to name a few. At the show, the guild displayed several of these community quilts, as well as the special “fidget quilts” created for Alzheimer’s patients — interactive quilts designed with objects and textures to engage the senses.
Personally, the experience of photographing the show was incredibly fulfilling. I had the opportunity to speak with many of the quilters about their work, and it was inspiring to hear their stories and creative processes. Despite the extraordinary talent on display, I was struck by how humble the guild members were as a group. I was impressed by the sense of community, with quilters supporting and encouraging one another, whether it was through volunteering at the event or helping each other with techniques.
A special note: my mother, Frances (in the image below), has been a member of the Annie’s Star Quilt Guild since 1995, and as I walked the aisles of the show, I couldn’t help but reflect on how much the guild has meant to her over the years. In fact, my mother was the lucky winner of the guild’s very first Opportunity Quilt raffle in 1987 — a queen-sized quilt she won after purchasing five tickets for $6. At the time, she wasn’t even a quilter, but that quilt sparked a passion in her that led to her joining the guild and becoming an active member. Over the years, I’ve watched her hone her craft and develop long lasting supportive and nurturing friendships through the guild.
As I spent time photographing the quilts and talking to guild members, I was reminded of how quilting really is about community, creativity, and legacy. I know that I will treasure my mother’s quilts long after she is gone. And I appreciate how Annie’s Star Quilt Guild is doing more than just creating beautiful textile art — it’s fostering a sense of belonging and giving so much back to the community in which I was raised.
If you ever have the chance to attend the Harvest of Quilts show or visit Annie’s Star Quilt Guild, I highly recommend it. The artistry, warmth, and sense of community are truly one-of-a-kind.
Special thanks to Judy Riley (quilt show chair) and Kelly Knox (Annie’s Star Quilt Guild president) for welcoming me to photograph the show.
