If you are traveling to the Sackets Harbor area in New York this spring, here is an opportunity to see a quilt show with historical value. The quilt show will be held March 17-18, 2012 at the Great Lakes Seaway Trail Discovery Center.

Whether you are interested in history or enjoy the talented works of quilters, the items on display will appease to both your historical and artistic needs.

What is different about this event is that many of the quilts on display will have colors and patterns from the War of 1812 era.

This Bicentennial Quilt Show is hosted by the Seaway Trail Foundation. Nearly 200 quilters are expected to display their 'War of 1812' reproduction quilts.

This event will be the kickoff for the The War of 1812 traveling educational exhibit that will display selected quilts from 2012 thru 2014.

For those who enjoy the challenge of creating quilts, you might want to consider entering you War of 1812 replica work of art. Registration is open through January 15, 2012.

Some basic guidelines for those who are making quilts include use of cotton, silk, linen, and wool. These were materials that were used in the early 1800s. Indigo blues, browns and a bit of pink are colors that quilters should use to keep with that time period.

Popular patterns used during the early 1800s were basic nine-patch and four-patch patterns and simple stars. On a side note here, the name simple stars doesn’t truly reflect the amount of time put into making these piece.

During the war, imported fabrics into America were hard to come by and were available mainly to women who were financially better off. If they were fortunate they had pieces of imported Indian, French, and English fabrics in a variety of colors.

For those interested in taking on the challenge of making a reproduction quilt from the War of 1812 era, feel free to check out the Great Lakes Seaway Trail website for further information.

According to the Great Lakes Seaway Trail Foundation President, Teresa Mitchell, this quilt show, “marks our 12th year of shows that celebrate the themes that attract domestic and international visitors to our National Scenic Byway.”

The Great Lakes Seaway Trail is 518 miles long and follows the coastline of New York and Pennsylvania. It is a national scenic route that takes travelers along the shores of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.

The Great Lakes Seaway Trail Discovery Center has plenty to offer visitors who stop by. The center has plenty of interactive historical topics covering military history, maritime heritage, unique architecture, lighthouses, and natural history.

When attending this event, enjoy the works of the many talented quilters who put their hard work and creativity into their War of 1812 quilts. And thanks for all you creative quilters who will be displaying your work of art. Your work will be viewed and appreciated by many. Enjoy the Quilt Show and Happy Quilting!