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We found this stunning threadwork masterpiece, The Value of Gears by Judith Phelps, in the National Quilt Museum gallery. Judith wanted the quilt to read like black and white photographs, and only used different values of thread to achieve the effect. It's even more amazing in that it is meant to be seen both from the front and the back. When the pictures are backwards, you are seeing the back of the quilt.
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We learned about the Social Justice Sewing Academy while at Craft Napa.
Here is how they describe themselves:
Founded in 2017, the Social Justice Sewing Academy (SJSA) is a youth education program that bridges artistic expression with activism to advocate for social justice. Through a series of hands-on workshops in schools, prisons and community centers across the country, SJSA empowers youth to use textile art as a vehicle for personal transformation and community cohesion and become agents of social change. Many of our young artists make art that explores issues such as gender discrimination, mass incarceration, gun violence and gentrification. The powerful imagery they create in cloth tells their stories, and these quilt blocks are then sent to volunteers around the world to embellish and embroider before being sewn together into quilts to be displayed in museums, galleries and quilt shows across the country. This visual dialogue bridges differences in race, age and socioeconomics and sparks conversations and action in households across the country.
Watch the video to learn more and see some of their quilts.
Warning: Some images may be disturbing.
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We came upon a wonderful quilt exhibit at the National Quilt Museum in Paducah. It featured the quilts of Betty Ford-Smith. These quilts are Pine Cone quilts and Betty began making them in 2004 under the tutelage of a 92 year-old woman in Sebring, FL. This particular quilt, Purple Katell, weighs 30 lbs and was inspired by The Color Purple by Alice Walker.
The last photo shows a detail of the back side of the quilt and how it is put together.
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Follow along with Jen at Shabby Fabrics to make these lucky St. Patrick's Day shamrocks.
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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.
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As Seen on Show 2405, Antique Quilt Collector Bill Volckening and quilter Amanda Leins reinterpret and modernize free-motion quilting patterns from eighteenth, and nineteenth, century quilts in their book Inspired FREE-MOTION QUILTING.
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Bill and Amanda give you a new look at eighteenth, and nineteenth, century quilts, plus 90 free-motion patterns with instructions and tips for selecting and combining patterns, marking quilt tops, and using rulers. |
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The Quilters Select Rotary Cutter has an innovative ambidextrous design that ensures precise cutting in either your left or right hand, and a unique and easy magnetic blade replacement so you’ll never drop a blade again!
Quilters Select Self-Healing Rotary Mats are usable on both sides with a light background on one side and a dark background on the other, so that you can get maximum contrast and visibility when cutting fabric.
Quilters Select Rulers have a unique non-slip coating that keeps them in place as you cut, even on slippery or silky fabrics. No more wandering cuts!
Sunflower's Chain piecing cutter is a fast and efficient way to cut your chain pieced units apart.
Clover Fine Patchwork Pins are just .04 mm around, making them slide easily into fabrics without hanging up. They can also be used on delicate fabrics like silk without fear of leaving a mark.
The Panasonic Freestyle Cordless Portable Iron offers the convenience of cord-free pressing and comes in its own carrying case!
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Burst by Marge Tucker was the winner of the Best Machine Quilting ribbon at QuiltCon 2019. Marge challenged herself to create an improvisationally pieced Dresden Plate quilt. We think she rose to the challenge.
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Jenny K. Lyon (Show 2404) tells Alex about what is new with her, including:
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Jenny's quilt, Midnight Garden, is based on the drought-tolerant landscaping at her California home. It features stunning quilting and a touch of trapunto.
Watch Jenny K. Lyon in Show 2404.
Original Photo: Mary Kay Davis
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From beads and buttons, to fringe, felting, and feathers, the Wearable Art competition at the Pacific International Quilt Festival has something for everyone. Here are just a few examples from PIQF 2018.
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