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Here are the quilts for the twenty-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 409 created by Maike Pitz and Paula Klaassen.

Title of Quilt: The New Paulinum

Quilter's Name: Maike Pitz

Location: Leipzig, Saxonia, Germany

It is the first time that I take part at a quilt challenge. I was surprised how much I gained from this – and a large part had nothing to do with quilting. My team mate is Paula. In the first few mails we discussed about what our quilts should have in common. We decided to reflect in them something from our hometown. Beside this we selected some colors which should dominate our work. After a very short time we became friends. More and more we wrote about our home, husbands, families. One day I got a largish parcel from U.S. It was from Paula: She had sewed two dresses and some bibs for my grandchildren. Quilted bibs! Our children were fascinated from them. In the meantime I designed, sewed, quilted. I did not expect that the rather small quilt took the same amount of time like a large one! But I enjoyed every hour in my quilting chamber. My quilt represents the Pauliner church here in Leipzig. The original building from 1231 survived the WWII without any damage. But it did not survive the socialism: It was dynamited in 1968 to make place for modern, "socialistic" buildings. After the reunification there arose plans to build a church again at this place. It took many years to get it succeeded. But last year it was finished. It's has two virtues at once: The shape reminds the old church, but it is a modern and distinctive building.

Title of Quilt: Oklahoma Cherokee

Quilter's Name: Paula Klaassen

Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA

It sounded like a tall order when I first contemplated joining the exchange. It was, and still is, more than a little bit intimidating. The idea of working on a “miniature” quilt is kind of scary, when most of my quilts are at least 60 inches square! But, just imagine! My partner would be from a different country . . . and speak a different language! How would we communicate? I’m such an Okie, I was really hoping I didn’t embarrass myself. And, luckily, there is Google Translate. We decided our quilts would use blues and greens and reflect where we lived. I chose the “Road to Oklahoma” pieced block for the background and reduced it from 12” to 2” — then included Oklahoma’s state wildflower, the Indian Blanket, a dreamcatcher and a greeting, from my Cherokee heritage, in needle-turn applique. “Osiyo” means “welcome” in the Cherokee language. What an adventure this has been! And I’ve had the experience and plain old fun of making a new friend in a different country.