CONTACT: Mary Mikrut
630-978-2500 Ext. 563
mmikrut@berninausa.com

BERNINA Sponsors National Quilting Month
--Programs to celebrate and promote the art of quilt making-

Aurora, Ill. - April is the first annual BERNINA National Quilting Month. BERNINA of America, ( www.berninausa.com) one of the world's largest and oldest sewing machine companies, brings you these new and exciting programs: "Start Quilting with Alex", "Quilt Guilds for Charity Contest", and a special exhibit of Machine Embroidered Quilts at the first-ever Spring International Quilt Festival in April.

"Start Quilting with Alex" is a national program of quilting classes for new and re-entry level quilters to be held in dealer stores. Alex Anderson, host of the popular HGTV series "Simply Quilts", has prepared the Rail Fence Class and Friendship Star Class for this program. BERNINA, Alex Anderson, P&B Textiles and C&T Publishing have combined efforts to create an exciting program including lesson plans, fabric kits, supply kits, and a video featuring Alex. A listing of participating stores can be found on the Bernina website (www.berninausa.com).

The "Quilt Guilds for Charity Contest" runs April 1 through July 31. Quilt Guilds are invited to submit quilts with a friendship theme. The $25.00 entry fee will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the quilts will be donated to the charity of each guild's choice. The winning quilt guild receives airfare and hotel for four members to attend the 2003 International Quilt Festival in Houston where their quilt will be displayed in the BERNINA booth. Visit your local BERNINA dealer for your official entry form and contest rules.

The first Spring International Quilt Festival is being held in Rosemont, Ill. April 11-13. Bernina will be sponsoring a special exhibit for Machine Embroidered Quilts and the acclaimed Bernina Fashion Show. Thirty exquisite examples of machine embroidered quilts have been collected and will be on display. "This is a wonderful opportunity to marry the two art forms of embroidery and quilting using modern methods, materials and tools" says Gayle Hillert, BERNINA vice president of education.

BERNINA will honor the second Quilt Leadership Award winner at the BERNINA Fashion Show on Saturday, April 12. The prestigious Quilt Leadership Award recognizes national quilt makers who are responsible for promoting the art of quilting, have gained the respect of and have a long standing relationship with the quilting community, embracing the traditional and creative aspects of quilt making. "We, at BERNINA, are pleased to recognize those who have contributed so much over the years to the art of quilt making," said Martin Favre, president of BERNINA of America. "Our first winner, Karey Bresenhan, director of the International Quilt Festival and Market has set the standard for this prestigious award and we look forward to recognizing another deserving member of the Quilt Industry this year."

For those unable to attend the Spring International Quilt Festival and the BERNINA Fashion Show you can visit a special section on the BERNINA web site. Available as of April 7, just click on the quilt square representing the Spring International Quilt Festival and you will be able to see award-winning quilts and fashions that tickle your imagination and challenge your creativity. Check out the BERNINA website www.berninausa.com.

Founded in Switzerland more than 100 years ago, BERNINA - maker of the artista 200E, the world's first sewing and embroidery system that is Microsoft* Windows* powered - manufactures state-of-the-art sewing, embroidery and serger machines, and sewing software systems that are sold in the United States through a network of approximately 500 fully trained dealerships. To learn more, visit www.berninausa.com or call 630-978-2500 for the nearest dealer.