Eleanor Burns to Present at AccuQuilt Barn Quilt Unveiling June 10

(FREMONT, Neb., May 26, 2011) – AccuQuilt, the leader in fabric cutting solutions for quilting and fabric crafts, will unveil its newest 17’ x 17’ barn quilt block on its headquarters June 10. Quilting icon, Eleanor Burns, will have a special presentation on barn quilt blocks as part of the day’s fun celebrating AccuQuilt’s involvement in the quilting community. The unveiling event is the culmination of the 2nd Annual Barn Quilt Design Contest, which inspired quilters to submit over 600 stunning quilt block designs for a chance to win a $1,000 AccuQuilt shopping spree, the opportunity to have their design displayed on the AccuQuilt office and a trip to the unveiling event.

The 2nd Annual Barn Quilt Unveiling will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Eleanor Burns’ presentation, Quilt Blocks on American Barns, paying tribute to rural America’s tradition of barn quilt blocks. Her lively personality and love for quilting make her stage presentation a must-see! “Last year’s inaugural event was a huge success, this year we wanted to expand on the fun and excitement. Eleanor’s barn quilt presentation is the perfect fit. We are excited to offer this great opportunity for quilters to get a chance to meet Eleanor and participate in the day’s events,” said Linda Pumphrey, AccuQuilt National Sales Manager. After the presentation AccuQuilt will unveil the huge 17' x 17' block designed by Candace Door of Sidney, Neb. Second place winner, Deonn Stott of Heber Valley, Utah will also have her design displayed on the offices as a 6’ x 6’ block. Then lunch, tours of the AccuQuilt offices and quilting fun will follow. AccuQuilt’s event is free and open to the public.

Eleanor, an icon in the quilting community for over 30 years, has inspired thousands of quilters worldwide. Her first book, Make a Quilt in a Day: Log Cabin Pattern, became a huge success with quilters of all ages by teaching them a new quilt making method. Her step-by-step directions were easy to grasp, allowing anyone to be successful at making a quilt.

The 2nd Annual Barn Quilt Contest was inspired by the work of Donna Sue Groves of Adams County, Ohio. Groves began the modern American barn quilt movement in 2001 when she installed a colorful quilt block on her barn as a way to honor her mother’s love of quilting. Donna encouraged others in her community to paint their own blocks to create original roadside attractions for tourists. Her idea quickly grew into the National Barn Quilt Trail, which now crosses over 27 states and two Canadian provinces.

The contest ran March 12 through April 10. The blocks were narrowed down by AccuQuilt management to the Top 100 and then AccuQuilt fans voted on accuquilt.com for their favorites. The first place barn quilt design was chosen by a panel of quilting icons: Eleanor Burns, Ricky Tims and Alex Anderson; AccuQuilt management and votes from AccuQuilt fans. The second and third place winners were chosen by votes from fans. Winners were announced at the American Quilter’s Society Quilt Show & Contest in Paducah, KY, April 28. For those who are unable to attend the unveiling event, the winning designs can be found at accuquilt.com/barnquilt. AccuQuilt plans to make the Barn Quilt Contest and Unveiling an annual event.

ABOUT ACCUQUILT

Headquartered in Fremont, Neb., AccuQuilt offers quilters, fabric crafters and retailers a premiere line of fabric cutters, dies, quilting patterns and other quilt and fabric cutting solutions that help quilters quickly and accurately cut shapes for quilting and fabric crafts. Cutting with AccuQuilt® cutters is a natural evolution of fabric cutting methods. “First scissors…then rotary…finally…AccuQuilt®” for fast, easy, accurate fabric cutting. Visit AccuQuilt online at accuquilt.com.