"A riot of color" is taking over the Pinehurst Fair Barn next weekend for the fifth Quilting in the Pines Show.

On Friday, Sept. 28, from noon to 8 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the show will display a myriad of different quilts.

These are not your grandmother's quilts. Years in the making, these quilts tell stories and express the artists' inner feelings in a swirl of emotions and color. The threads patch together artwork and intricate narratives.

One-day tickets are $5, and two-day tickets are $8.

New to the quilt show this year are special viewing hours on Friday morning from 10 a.m. till 12 p.m. for those with mobility challenges.

On Saturday, nationally known quilt appraiser Jane Hall will be available to give estimates on quilts. Oral reports are $12, and written ones are $45. Reservations for Hall's appraisals must be made in advance by emailing sandhillsquilters @quiltinginthepines.org.

The quilt show is bigger and better this year, with more than 92 quilts on display all around the Fair Barn, and there will be vendors on the outskirts of the displays. Historical pincushions are a fun addition to the usual wares this year.

Quilts will be judged and awarded prizes for 10 different categories and subgroups: bed quilts, group quilts, miniature quilts and more.

Linderella's Quilt Works is also sponsoring a cash prize for best in show.

The theme of this year's show is "Stars of the Sandhills." Quilters are participating in a block challenge. All blocks must be star-themed and include a pre-set piece of fabric. Viewers will then vote on their favorite blocks. After the show, all the blocks will be made into a quilt.

"[The blocks] are fun to see and really pretty," says quilter Pat Scheideler.

Other select quilts will be on sale.

"They are not inexpensive," warns event organizer Joan DeBruin.

The show highlights the artistic side of quilting over the age-old craft.

DeBruin compared it to an oil painting - an artist spends around $350 on supplies, paints for a bit and then sells a piece. A quilt takes $500 to make, not to mention the few years required.

"It far outstretches the cost," says DeBruin.

Quilts range from the patchwork quilt to elaborate narrative pieces with history behind them. There are differences in the quilting process - applique, hand quilted, embroidery and machine quilted. Quilts are given names.

The guild hopes to have at least 1,000 people in attendance.

"It's going to be truly beautiful," says quilter Judy Petersen.

The Sandhills Quilters Guild is celebrating its 30th year.

The guild has 120 members and represents all types of quilting disciples. They have monthly workshops; the guild is separated into smaller quilting bees of women who meet outside of the monthly meetings to quilt together.

"We are truly blessed with a lot of women," says DeBruin.

The bees are full of giggling, quilting and strong threads of friendship.

"You notice quilters are happy," says Pat Scheideler.

"For a guild of our size, we have quality," says quilter Mary Williams. She has been quilting for more than 40 years. Williams is known for her traditional quilting.

"There is no such thing as a standard quilt," says quilter Linda James.

"The sky is the limit with quilting," says Pat Scheideler.

The silent auction will benefit the Cancer CARE Fund - providing assistance to cancer patients and families across Moore County.

Quilting is the act of sewing through the three layers - top, bunting and backing. Linda James uses her long-arm machine to do quilting patterns. Many people find it enjoyable to make the tops - "that's sewing," the ladies insist.

Quilters collect fabrics and supplies constantly.

Judy Petersen, a quilter for 17 years, jokingly claims she is praying for the day when she has nothing left to quilt.

DeBruin claims she quilts 26 hours a day, a true quilting addict. But she also admits that she basically "retired to quilt."

Quilting has become their passion and life, and the show offers a chance for them to showcase their work.

For further details, visit http://quiltinginthepines.org.

Kirsten Ballard may be contacted at kirsten@thepilot.com.