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Here are the quilts for the fifteenth 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 290 created by Juliet Fitness and Susan Treloar.

Title of Quilt: Susan’s New York Beauty

Quilter's Name: Juliet Fitness

Location: Athenree, North Island, New Zealand

As a quilt competition junkie, I signed up to IMQE as the long time frame suited us building a new house, and I was in transit. I never imagined it would be such an interesting experience getting to know Susan – how did they match us up so well? We have both been quilting for well over 30 years, are quilt tutors, ex. Presidents of our quilt guilds, like the same things in quilts – curves, circles, prairie points, same colours!! Through Susan I met other American quilters via a Facebook group, committed to a certain amount of sewing each day, which helped restore my quilting mojo when I became obsessed with creating my new garden. With our theme of circles/curves, I originally planned to make my first Double Wedding Ring quilt. Struggling to design something I liked, I decided to go back to my favourite paper-foundation pieced New York Beauty block which I knew I could reduce to a mini size (4”). Inspired as always by Karen Stone, I designed it while on holiday. Once home, I found my design matched the New York Beauty quilt hanging in our dining room, except Susan’s version is half size. I like the thought of us both having the same! The walls in Susan’s house are blue, and she is into orange at present, so requested an orange quilt with blue highlights. The border batik features Maori koru, a touch of Kiwi for an American quilter.

Title of Quilt: Currents

Quilter's Name: Susan Treloar

Location: Puyallup, Washington, USA

Juliet and I are a match made in Heaven. Both of us have mirrored each other in our quilting lives: teachers, guild presidents, and entering quilt contests. Neither of us are very traditional. We exchanged photos of our work and found we inspired each other with our interpretations of themes and techniques. We thought we knew each other until we connected in an online support group on Facebook. We found out we use different quilting terms and tools. We have shared many laughs explaining ourselves. We chose to do our mini quilts with circles and curves, something we both love. Juliet challenged me to stretch myself in this challenge. I chose to use solid fabrics and a medallion style setting for my mini which were very new to me. I also stretched my circles into ovals. While Juliet loves Paper Piecing points, I love Prairie Points. I enjoy piecing small details and creating tiny pieces of interest that have to be seen upon closer inspection. My biggest challenge with this piece was creating a design that was small and would still look like a full size quilt if made larger. As the deadline loomed closer, Juliet encouraged my last efforts with the option of “the dog’s breakfast on the back of the quilt.” (Don’t look.) Juliet and I are more than partners in this venture. We are quilting friends who plan to continue challenging each other in other collaborations.