BLOOMINGTON - The 25th anniversary of a Twin City quilt show doubled as an art show, with nearly 200 exhibits created by Central Illinois quilt artists.

"I feel really strongly that quilts are art," said Charlette Elm of Bloomington, co-chair of the Hands All Around Quilt Guild 2008 Quilt Show.

The biggest change in quilts in the last quarter century is how they are appreciated as art now, she said. "The art part seems to be blossoming" and techniques are changing, she said of new trends that can include the use of new machines.

At the 25th birthday show called "Celebrate!" some of the "best of show quilts" from 1984-2007 were in the spotlight. "It was a challenge to track them down," she said.

Many people, wearing protective gloves, drew the quilts closer to exam them. They also filled out ballots to vote on the best of show quilts for this year.

Dozens of quilt guild members took up the challenge to use a specified fabric and create a quilt that had 25 of something in it to honor the milestone.

There were 25 butterflies, 25 cranes, 25 coffee cups, 25 hands and 25 buttons. Many of these quilts had a sense of humor as well. The 25 UFOs or "UnFinished Objects" included items that the quilter hadn't completed, including needlepoint, tatting, quilt blocks and sewing projects.

Another quilt, crammed with 25 ribbons the quilt artist had won, was cleverly titled "No more room." Not until today, the final day of the two-day event, will quilters know if they must make room for more prize ribbons.

Among the 192 quilts on display were quilts grouped by techniques, including hand-quilted, machine-quilted and appliquéd. Other categories were for youth 18 and younger, mini-quilts, and group quilts worked on by three or more quilters.

In the demonstration area, experts demonstrated quilt binding, appliqué and new techniques. A bed was piled with layers of quilts for a bed turning-story telling event. Each storyteller revealed another quilt on the bed and knit a yarn with topics as varied as the LeRoy Sesquicentennial, the Esparza Family Celebration, Card Tricks and the Days in the Life of a Girl.

One quilt was even in the making; several guild members quilted together on the raffle quilt for the 2009 show. "It takes a year to put it together," said Penny Lou Boser of Normal.

Boser had entered three quilts in the show, including one featuring a Canadian flag. Boser, a Canadian from Calgary, said she made the quilt for her July 1 annual Canada Day party.

Deb Crnkovich of Morton, chosen as this year's featured artist, had a large exhibit featuring quilts she has designed that have been featured in national magazines. Crnkovich, who designed a special quilt for the 25th anniversary, sold autographed copies of the quilt pattern.

"It's a little overwhelming," she said of the honor, which netted her a whole new batch of fans.

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'Celebrate!'

What: Hands All Around Quilt Guild 2008 Quilt Show. With a theme of "Celebrate!" in honor of its 25th anniversary, the show features quilts of previous winners, challenge quilts, vendors and demonstrations.

When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today

Where: Interstate Center, 2301 W. Market St., Bloomington.

Cost: Adults, $7; seniors, $6; ages 4-12, $5

Information: (309) 452-8730