5

We continue our selection of quilts exhibited in 2019 at the Houston International Quilt Festival as part of their 45th Anniversary, the Sapphire Anniversary. The Sapphire Celebration exhibit is described as:

"Quilters have long used the color blue to symbolize trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven. Sapphire is also the chosen gem to celebrate 45th anniversaries—which International Quilt Festival is doing this year (2019)! These new and antique blue and white quilts will be suspended from the ceiling in a spectacular and unforgettable display."

To be a part of the exhibit, quilts had to fit the following criteria:

  • Entries may be Traditional, Modern or Art.
  • Entries must have been made between 1974 and 2019.
  • The minimum size is 50” x 50”

Please enjoy the fourteenth quilt from the exhibition by an Unknown Maker.

Title of Quilt: Big Promotion - Bear Paw Quilt

Quilter's Name: Unknown Maker

  9

Nicholas R. Ball used many, many triangles in his exploration of color in his quilt, Triangle Colour Study III. He was attempting to blend four specific colors through the use of multiple-sized triangles to cause movement and shape. It is a wonderful study of improv piecing and design.

Triangle Colour Study III by Nicholas R. Ball of Cardiff, United Kingdom was featured in the Improvisation category, sponsored by Gotham Quilts, at QuiltCon 2020.

Photos by Mary Kay Davis

  4

Rick Mahal created some wizardry to get Alex in California and Ricky in Colorado to co-host the new Masterclasses. Rick has been with TheQuiltShow.com since 2007. Meet Rick and learn more about how the Quilt Masterclasses came together.

If you haven't checked it out yet, or you just want to see it again, watch Rick's fabulous editing work and learn all about piecing from the masters in Piecing Masterclass Part 1: Show 2611.

  2

Alex Anderson LIVE: Friday May 22, 10am PST, 1pm EST, 6pm London
Subject: Sequoia Sampler, Raw edge applique prep, and mindless sewing. Plus looking at the pitcher. 

You can join in with the group by buying the PDF download from our Shop. That way you learn and end up with a fun wall hanging.

 

 

 

  9


Brass etui (a container or bag for holding sewing items) in the shape of a beehive on a polished alabaster base. The bee is at the base about to enter the door, above are leaves and bumblebees. The kit is fitted with gold tools including a thimble, scissors and stiletto, made in France circa 1860, Gift of Pat Grappe, TTU-H2018-061-019.  Photos courtesy of the Museum of Texas Tech University.

Tiny Treasures

by Marian Ann J. Montgomery, Ph.D.
Curator of Clothing and Textiles, Museum of Texas Tech University

 

New quilting tools are fun to share with quilting friends. Remember how they oohed and ahhed when you trotted out your new pincushion, pretty scissors, sewing machine or other gadgets at the last retreat? Well, we have nothing on the stitchers from the 18th and 19th centuries. Ladies may not have had the Internet or cell phones, but they had the coolest and most beautiful tools for needlework! The bee hive etui is a perfect example. Not only were they fun to use, but they also showed a woman's social status - the same way flashy jewelry, cars, or expensive handbags do in today's society.

 

In the past few years the Museum of Texas Tech University has received hundreds of beautiful needlework tools and toolboxes, mostly collected by a few needle workers, some of whom quilt. In preparation for the objects to be secured in exhibit cases, the museum team prepared a video showing the items, little details, and how they worked, something likely missed when glancing at an exhibit case.

 

When it is able to open again, the Museum plans an exhibit of these and other objects, Sumptuous Stitches and Tiny Treasures. This major exhibit will include over 750 objects, the majority of which are needlework tools. A full color catalog of the objects will be available for sale online. For the updated exhibit schedule and how to order the exhibition catalog, visit the Museum’s website here, or contact the curator at marian.ann.montgomery@ttu.edu.

 

 

Learn more about the Clothing and Textiles Collection at the Museum of Texas Tech University.

Click here for related articles from the Museum of Texas Tech University Textile Collections.

 

  3
Three Easy Steps To Save This Lesson As A Pdf:
-Make sure you are logged in.
-Click on the small triangle next to the tool wheel in the upper right hand corner of the page (you'll find it above the Like button).
-Select the pdf. option. Wait a few minutes. It's a large file due to the number of images.
-Your file should appear with the title of the lesson.

In this lesson we continue our study of color (Lesson 13) as it relates to quilting with a focus on the Complementary color plan.

The complementary color plan features two colors directly opposite each other on the color wheel as seen in our Essential Color Wheel. Yellow is directly across from Violet. As opposites, these two colors together create visual excitement, vibrancy, intensity and high impact. But as direct opposites they compete for attention when placed together in their most saturated hue. 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                          

                                           


When placed together, the complementary colors in their most saturated form vibrate and can be jarring for the viewer. Think of complementary colors as two extroverts at a small dinner party. Both compete for attention with their enthusiastic talk, charm and laughter, but together, they are overwhelming for the rest of the guests at the table. The quilt Complementary Conversation (by Mari-Carmen Pujante) is an example of a saturated complementary plan featuring red and green that almost vibrate, making the quilt difficult to view for a long period of time.

Used carefully, however, the complementary colors can create dynamic and very graphic quilts, when one color is the lead player, while the other takes a supporting role. In this case it is important to use a wide range of colors within the two to create the most effective results. And don't be tempted to stray over by including a neighboring color as it becomes immediately apparent to the viewer that this neighbor doesn't belong in the group. As a quilter, this is where your Ultimate 3-in-1 Color Tool can come in handy. Each of the twenty-four pages features not only the pure color, but also the tints, shades and tones of that pure family. Use it for delving into your stash or take it along when fabric shopping to determine if a fabric fits within your complementary color plan.

Complementary Conversation by Mari-Carmen Pujante (Image Quilts, Inc.)

 


 

 

In her book The Quilter's Color Club, Christine Barnes, says that, "lowering the intensity of complementary colors is the most effective way to soften the contrast. Brilliant blue-green and red-orange can overwhelm, but quieter versions of those colors, such as azure and terra cotta, are easier on the eye."

However, being opposites on the Essential Color Wheel can also be an advantage. Did you ever think about why life vests and life rafts are bright orange? As the opposite of Cyan (Turqouise) they contrast with the water and are visible for miles (see second bar from the left below). Understanding that these opposites can have a powerful effect means that you as a quilter can use them to make a statement.
   

 

Need ideas? Anytime you are out and about with your camera or cell phone, take time to look around. Inspiration for complementary color combinations are everwhere. Here are just a few examples:

 

 

 

Now let's look at some quilts where in most cases one color is the lead and the other is secondary:


Paterson's Curse by Brenda Gael Smith. (Image courtesy of Brenda Gael Smith). 

 
Color Study in Blue and Yellow by Janet Starr (Image courtesy of Janet Starr). Yellow on Blue by Kathleen Probst (Image courtesy of Kathleen Probst).


Beginning of Morning by Fusako Yamada. (Image by The Quilt Show). Extreme Colors by Hilde Morin (Image courtesy of Hilde Morin).

  
Integrifolia #3: Stops & Starts by Brenda Gael Smith (Image courtesy of Brenda Gael Smith)


Dreamlines #9: Big Data: Contraflow by Brenda Gael Smith (Image courtesy of Brenda Gael Smith).     Astronomer's Daughter by Brigit Dermot (Image by TheQuiltShow.com)

Anchored by Kathleen Probst (Image courtesy of Kathleen Probst).  

  

Practice Exercise: Color Perception

Supplies-
1 sheet of construction paper in six different saturated colors (Red, Yellow, Cyan-Turquoise, Blue, Green, Violet, Orange)
Ruler, pencil, scissors

1. Cut two (4" x 6") rectangles from each color of construction paper. Divide the rectangles into groups (A & B) of six colors. Set group A aside for later.

2. You will now work with group B. Using one rectangle, measure and draw a line 2 1/2" from either side. Measure and draw a line 1 1/2" from top to bottom. The resulting drawn lines should be a 1" square in the center of your rectangle. Repeat for the remaining 5 colors in group B.

3. Carefully cut center square out from each of the rectangles. 

4. Place a color from group A behind a group B as in the image above. Notice how the colors vibrate as well as move forward/recede.

Click here for more topics related to The Art of Quilt Design program.

 

  3
I don't know about you but I have had a lot of time to think about priorities in my life. How I am spending my time? What genres of art am I interested in pursuing? The one thing about quilting is that it isn't just cutting up fabric and putting it back together. It offers so many opportunities to explore new ways to expand our creativeness. Our way of learning or expanding our quilting horizons may be changing for the foreseeable future to virtual learning. Our children/grandchildren are experiencing virtual learning currently and it has been amazing to see how this interactive process works. What an opportunity to sit in the comfort of your home and be able to take a live class with Jean Wells without the pressure of comparing yourself to what the other students are bringing to the class, LOL! No longer would someone not be able to take a class because of location.
 
I totally went on a tangent...what I wanted to introduce you to is the latest exhibit by The Journey's Group of Central Oregon.
 
 
I have always been in awe of this creative group. They have been encouraging each other to reach and create at a new level. I wanted to share a few of the pieces and hope that if you are in the area you might be able to visit The Stitchin Post. The Stitchin Post has supportive guidelines for visiting the shop so that you might view the entire exhibit.
 
 
The Imperial Summer Palace by Judy Beaver
 
 
Aspens by Betty Gientke
 
 
Moon Shadow by Sheila Finzer
 
Have a creative week!
 
Stay tuned and travel along with us on Quilt Roadies.

Click here for Anna's blog.

 

  8

Victoria Findlay Wolfe created a quilt with impact by using improv slashing and precise piecing. We love her color choices for Thunderstruck Four Block, which Victoria based on a high school home economics project. She was making a pink wool lined coat while others were making a duffle bag. 

Thunderstruck Four Block by Victoria Findlay Wolfe, and quilted by Liz Haskell, was featured as part of the Quilts of Victoria Findlay Wolfe exhibit, sponsored by the Modern Quilt Guild, at QuiltCon 2020.

Victoria was always one to challenge herself and now, you can challenge yourself to learn about precise piecing from Victoria in our Show 2611: Piecing Masterclass 1.

Photos by Mary Kay Davis

  5

Alex Anderson takes the mystery out of making the spool quilt block. Join Alex to learn the Spool Quilt block or get the PDF pattern in our store and end up with a wonderful wall hanging. Buy the pattern here: See Alex LIVE and chat Wed May 20 10am PST, 1pm EST, and 6pm London time.

  7

Peggy Marquardt based the design of her quilt, Starburst, on a classic LeMoyne star block. Creating the block as a large center medallion and then making it her own, she writes that it, "...is almost unrecognizable to me and has taken on a life of its own."

Starburst by Peggy Marquardt of Rhinelander, Wisconsin was featured in the Pieced, Large category at Houston 2019.