When my husband had the chance to work again in Geneva, France and we found out the European Patchwork Meeting was the same weekend, we made plans to drive up to France to attend. I have several posts about this, so it will be a bit comprehensive, as it was an experience that was unique in many ways, but familiar as well. The bits of a quilt show (as we call it in the United States) are a big convention center, filled one-half with the quilt show and one-half with the vendors. We are used to certain fabrics and know the prices of things and pretty much know how the quilt show part is run, too.
The name of this is the 23rd Carrefour European Patchwork Meeting, and as Sally S., an astute reader pointed out, “The word [Carrefour] means crossroads in French and is a reference to the fact that the show is at the centre of Europe, literally where France, Germany and Switzerland meet, and also I suppose where European quilters meet. It’s also the place where the Amish found themselves figuratively at a crossroads, many of them deciding to follow their leader to a new life in America.” Their website has many of the particulars, and I trolled their Instagram feed for weeks before coming.
How did I find out about this? The lovely Roxanne. Here we are before we headed out one day (I am terrible at selfies). I’d met her last year in the Manor Dept. Store in Geneva, and we’ve corresponded ever since.
The Patchwork Meeting was about 4 hours from Geneva, so my husband and I drove most of the way, breaking our journey in Mulhouse, France, where we stayed overnight. We drove the rest of the way Saturday morning and arrived in St. Marie-aux-Mines about 9:10 a.m. [Roxanne and her husband went separately.] We were so early, we found a great parking place. Above are scenes from the village. It rained off and on that day, which was too bad for the vendors, but we did our part (insofar as my suitcase could accommodate–see next post).
The whole town put out the welcoming carpet, with quilts hanging in shop windows, little pop-up shops in various places, food for sale, and in front of many venues, local & regional shops would bring their items for sale: breads, leather goods, flowers, souvenir items. It’s a very festive feeling!
The Patchwork Meeting is in four separate villages:
Sainte Marie-aux-Mines (main)
Sainte Croix-aux-Mines
Liepvre
Rombach-Le-Franc
These four towns are in the Val d’Argent region (silver mining was the early mainstay industry), which is also where the our American Amish had their beginnings, so there is always an Amish display, apparently, in each show. I’ve been putting up some teasers on Instagram, but wanted to save the quilts for this space, as I can go slower and write more about the exhibit.
My planned posts are (I’m listing them here so I can link them):
European Patchwork Meeting Overview (this post)
Vendors and What I Purchased
European Patchwork Meeting International Contest Winners
Lea Stansal’s Embellishment Embroideries & Mary Koval’s Antique Quilts
Gabriel Paquin: Design and Graphics
Quilt National Contemporary Quilts
Luke Haynes/Ian Berry/Nancy Crow/Mirjam Pet-Jacobs
SAQA Canada: Art Quilt Exhibition
Final Post: Amish Quilts, ValPatch (quilt guild from this area), Beauville, Andree Leblanc’s Log Cabin creations/various, Patchwork Guilde–Germany/various
I think that about (un)covers it!
OccasionalPiece--Quilt! 
Wow! What a gorgeous start to your patchwork meeting!❤️❤️
Hi. Glad you enjoyed the Alsace show; it really is very special.
Just a little misunderstanding to clear up, though. They are not sponsored by Carrefour. The word means crossroads in French and is a reference to the fact that the show is at the centre of Europe, literally where France, Germany and Switzerland meet, and also I suppose where European quilters meet. It’s also the place where the Amish found themselves figuratively at a crossroads, many of them deciding to follow their leader to a new life in America.
As I said, it’s a very special place!
It sounds like it was a special event. So glad that you checked it out and were up on all the events before you left. I think I need that last outfit!!!
Thanks. Keep the posts coming!
You’re taking me down memory lane! I attended in 2002 ,and all I have to remember my trip is print photos. Fifteen years ago was pre- digital cameras, blogging, and Instagram. I do remember the charm of each village and the juxaposition of those quilts hanging in the church sanctuaries! I couldn’t get over that. I mostly sat in a pew and admired the church! How about those pulpits with the staircases?! Cannot believe you didn’t cross paths with my friend Edith, who would have been at the Nancy Crow event. Edith has taken annual classes from Nancy for more than 15 years, and would have had a couple quilts appear in that show. Well, I’m happy for you to have shared your time there with another “native” quilter. Having someone around who knows the ins and outs is always good.
It was a great weekend and so much fun to be part of your experience! The people I meet is the best part of this quilting world and you have certainly been part of it!
Now,I’m busy learning in Denise Labadie-Snell’s seminar–wonderful to stretch my skills even as I am with others who are way more accomplished than me. (Dalia Eliraz’s quilt: “incredible voyage to the end of the world” which won a blue ribbon in the competition.)
Look forward to your next trip!
Roxanne
What a wonderful opportunity to see quilting from another perspective. Look forward to all your posts. Thanks for sharing your trip. You always take so many beautiful photos it makes me feel like I was there too.
I am looking forward to reading your posts. This sounds so exciting and interesting. And the photos are appreciated.
That sounds and looks like a really nice experience! So glad that you could go. Janice
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What wonderful photos and such a memorable trip! Cannot wait to “read all the chapters”!!
Perfect timing! Looking forward to the full line of reports.
Great post, lots of great information. Look forward to seeing your perspective on it. I didn’ visit all exhibits so it will be nice to see what I missed.
Thank you for the info. I am contemplating going in 2018. I use a cane to walk, will this be hard for me?