Airing of the Quilts and Spring Bazaar

Saturday, April 11, 2026

Dezell House

Please plan to join us this year for our annual Airing of the Quilts and Spring Bazaar April 11, 2026. 

Originally, Quilts were strictly utilitarian articles, born of the necessity of providing warm covers for beds. Quilts were also used as hangings for doors and windows that were not sealed well enough to keep out the cold. In the Southeast, the women folk were thrifty. Quilt tops were made from left over scraps of material, feed and flour sacks, and bits of old clothing and the inner layer of hand carded wool or cotton batting while the back was typically of plan material. Early quilts were mostly plain, but as the treadle sewing machine became a fixture of homes, patterned and appliqued quilts popularity soared because of the ease of “piecing the top.” Individuals, a collection of friends or a local quilting group then quilted the quilt to hold all the layers together. 

While still used as a household item, many quilts were made for new brides, babies and to acknowledge a special occasion. Historically, after a long cold winter, quilts and covers were aired outside on clothes lines, fences and porch railings before being packed away until the following winter.

Our “Airing of the Quilts” is a quilt show to highlight historic quilts from our Gadsden County area. Each one is different and annually we bring in new discoveries from local residents.

While viewing various family heirloom quilts, you can also shop from a variety of local vendor booths and have lunch. From baskets to woodturnings, quilts to trinkets, arts to crafts, please come support your local artisans and area organizations. 

Admission is FREE.