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Here are the quilts for the first team from the over 320 teams that participated in the International Miniature Quilt Exchange (IMQE). 201 teams submitted their quilts to be a part of the Exhibition in Houston 2018 and we are featuring the 24 teams selected for the first IMQE Exhibition.

Click here to learn more about the International Miniature Quilt Exchange (IMQE).

Enjoy the quilts from Team 102 created by Coleen Thackray and Alison Giachetti.

Title of Quilt: Allo, Aloe from Zimbabwe

Quilter's Name: Coleen Thackray

Location: Harare, Zimbabwe

Allo ‘Aloe from Zimbabwe..... When I first applied to join the miniature exchange I wondered if a twin would want someone from Zimbabwe, to many a pariah country. It turns out Alison actually knew people who had spent a few years working here which was a great introduction. From initial communication we found some common details, Alison sharing her name with my sister, the fact that we had almost identical cats as profile photos! While quilters are quilters worldwide my fascination is how different life, language and homes are between different countries. This was my inspiration in using a traditional block to form ethnic shaped Kraal houses, no mud walls or thatch roofs though! Then an interest of mine, local flora. A couple of aloe varieties, appliquéd on fabric printed from locally written articles, surround by flying geese.... representing the beautiful Fish Eagles of Zimbabwe with their haunting calls. While I really did want to use only local fabrics working in miniature scale did not work for large scale wax or Java print fabrics so more American fabrics crept in.....My appliqué flowers were actually carefully cut from hoarded Ricky Tims’ fabric bought at the IQC Africa 2013! This was a fun experience.

Title of Quilt: The Touch of Class

Quilter's Name: Alison Giachetti

Location: Lafayette, Colorado, US

My teammate and I each tried to create quilts that reflect something of ourselves and our communities. My goal was to represent family, community, and country. I designed my quilt based on a photo taken by my spouse at a local ballet school, and made it with fabrics obtained from local businesses and from an amazing quilt store we found in Casper, Wyoming during a visit to view the total solar eclipse in August 2017. By participating in IMQE, I gained an increased understanding of my teammate’s country, Zimbabwe, including, if only to a small extent, what it is like to live there. Coleen and I continue to develop our connection. This is my first quilt. I joined the exchange to push myself to take that first step – something I had intended for over 5 years. The design was partially planned in EQ7, so I began learning that software. During the planning and construction, which uses multiple techniques, I learned to hand appliqué, and hand and machine quilt. Among my unexpected discoveries: I prefer a needle in hand to one in the machine; hand sewing is like riding a bicycle (once learned never forgotten); I love hand appliqué; and some battings are impossible to hand quilt! Thanks to TQS and others for all they taught me and the excitement they bring to the craft. This quilt and all others that follow are dedicated to my mother who would have been surprised that I chose this road.