Highlights of the Houston International Quilt Festival! (1)

We had a wonderful time at the Houston International Quilt Festival! We so enjoyed seeing 1200 quilts from around the world, and are excited to share photos of our favorites... starting today!

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BEST of SHOW:  The Visitation by Ricky Tims

Spectactular in every way, it's no wonder this quilt won the Best of Show award. So many expert techniques were combined to create this masterpiece.

 

Silent Companions by Ting-Ying Liu

 Here is one of many outstanding portrait quilts. Intricate fabric collaging was used to create the realistic faces of the dog and cat.

 

Rusty Jane by Dena Angela Miskel

Stop my beating heart... here's a gorgeous Dear Jane quilt, made with intriguing rust-dyed fabrics and sashiko.  So beautiful! Made with over 5000 fabric pieces, this deserves a top award.

 

A bright pineapple quilt, shown below, welcomed thousands of viewers from around the world.  Stay tuned for more highlights from this fabulous show!

 Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2025 Houston International Quilt Festival.

Dear Jane Returns!

"Dear Jane" quilting craze began three decades ago (my, how time flies!) The original civil war-era quilt was made by Jane A. Blakely Stickle in 1863. Jane's quilt received scant attention until it was 'discovered' by Brenda Papadakis. One of our first posts, titled Crazy about Jane, covered the challenges of this design with its 225 blocks (169 squares, 52 triangles, and 4 corners.) We were thrilled to see THREE outstanding Dear Jane quilts at the 2024 Springville, Utah quilt show.  

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It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time (2023) by Katrina Crane, quilted by Debbie Lee.

There are so many gorgeous details in this quilt. Winner of a Blue ribbon (Award of Excellence), Katrina Crane says, "I took a class to reproduce my own "Dear Jane" which seemed like a good idea while, at 50 years old, my eyesight and faculties were in working order. Having never done much applique, and no foundation piecing, this was terrifying. But with a class and a deadline to guide me I vowed to complete it in a year or less. Things will take as long as you give them. Please enjoy!  If I can do it, so can you!" 

 

 

Some of the blocks are appliqued and some are pieced; each one is a work of art.

 

 

Debbie Lee's beautiful quilting especially stands out in the border triangles, as shown below.

Dear Jane (2024) by Lisa Delora, quilted by Tonya Colbert.

Lisa Delora says, "I attended a wonderful class that aided me in creating this quilt.  It was fun to work on each block and learn new skills." The bright, saturated colors come from a variety of prints including many Kaffe Fassett classics. Tonya Colbert's quilting stands out in these closeup photos.

My Dear Jane (2023) by Gay Jackson, quilted by Gay Jackson.

We love this dramatic black-and-white version! Gay Jackson says, "I was invited by a friend to take a quilting class. I had no idea what I was in for! I decided to make the pattern my way and used a monochrome palette I also wanted to finish it, so I chose to do raw edge applique when called for.  I used double batting for the free motion quilting."

Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the Springville Museum of Art (Springville, Utah) in August 2024.

Quilt Arizona 2017! day 3

We're back after a short spring break! For us, springtime in the desert means three things: spring flowers, spring training (baseball), and Quilt Arizona!  This is our 8th year blogging about this fun show, which draws visitors from many parts of North America. Here are some of our favorites from this year's show.

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Snow Play by Marlu Allan

Marlu says, " [This quilt is] a tribute to my Golden Retriever dogs playing in the snow after a large snowfall in Payson, Arizona [in the mountains of eastern Arizona]. "  By keeping the background colors in winter neutrals of gray and white, Marlu creates a strong focal point for the two dogs in the foreground. We love the alert and intent expression on their faces, with their tails wagging cheerfully behind them.
Close-up, Snow Play

In this close-up, you can see all of the nuanced colors of the dogs' coats. Marlu herself quilted this original design, a beautifully composed and sewn pictorial work.
Toro by Barbara Harrell

Third place winner in the Pictorial Non-Original Design category, Barbara says,  "This pattern is 'Abilene' by Laura Heine for Fiberworks. I made this for my husband to remind him of all the cows we have raised. "
 Close-up Toro

This colorful collage pattern is done in fused applique and quilted by Barbara herself. It looks like such a fun project to work on !

Pacific Northwest Spirit by Constance Clark

Honorable mention winner in the Medium Size Pieced Quilts category, Constance notes, "I used six hand-painted symbols from the Pacific Northwest and their colors to create a quilt that reflects the spirit of the region.
Close-up,  Pacific Northwest Spirit

Bold geometric sashing in red, black, and gray, perfectly sets off these Native American images of the Pacific Northwest U.S.A. Constance herself quilted this striking creation.

Dear Me! Inspired by Dear Jane by Claire Victor

Second place winner for Small Appliqued Quilts and a National Association of Certified Quilt Judges Merit Award,  Claire states, "[This quilt is] an original design; each 4 1/2 inch block is a variation of the tumbling block or a 3-D design using a 60 degree angle."
 We were very impressed by this contemporary interpretation of the traditional Dear Jane quilt blocks.

Close-up Dear Me

Claire's excellent choice of contrasting and monochromatic fabrics provide a wonderful three-dimensional aspect to her work, which she quilted herself.
Kitty Love by Judith Ritner

Judith notes that the original block design was for a pillow; but she enlarged it in order to use it for a black-gray-red fabric quilt challenge.Her wonderful fabric selection and sense of perspective makes the original block into a perfect medallion quilt.
Close-up,  Kitty Love

We admired the fabulous paper-piecing work done on the sleeping kitten's face. Time to curl right up and take a nap !

Moonlit Garden by Kathy O'Brien, quilted by Penny Boese

Winner of a Hall of Fame Award and second place winner in the Mixed Techniques category, Kathy explains, "[This quilt was] inspired by 'The Last Days' pattern by Roxi Eppler Hardegree in the book From the Cover (of Quilter's Newsletter Magazine) .  I designed the border to enlarge it." 

Close-up, Moonlit Garden

Perfectly pieced, the tranquil "Moonlit Garden" uses colors that give it such a mystical and luminous quality. These elegant spiked fans remind us very much of  New York Beauty blocks.
Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration.

12 Days of Christmas Quilts for 2015

Christmas 2015 is almost here! Thanks to the many quilters who have inspired us with their beautiful creations throughout the year.  We can't wait to show you what we have in store for 2016.  Note: We're continually featuring  free patterns on Twitter...  please follow us @quiltinspire !

For more information about the designs, click on the hyperlinks to go to the original post(s):  Row 1, L-R: Winter Memories by Barbara Purser; Santa’s Secret by Ruby Koch; Holiday Feline by Jo Garvin.  Row 2:Old World Santas by Judy S. Fitzgerald; Christmas Jane by Barbara Shates; Glass Angel by Jane Tenorio-Coscarelli. Row 3: Magical Memories by Carol Archuleta; Simple Gifts by Diane Chambers; Ho, Ho, Ho, Holly by Kim Loar.  Row 4: Jane's Christmas by Linda Reid; Winter Fantasy Forest by Lynn Davidson; Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Anna Hammes.

Twelve days of Christmas Quilts: Jane's Christmas

Christmas 2015 is drawing near, and we wanted to share some of the beautiful Christmas quilts we've seen this year. Here is Day Eleven of  our series: Twelve Days of Christmas Quilts.  Note: We're continually featuring  free patterns on Twitter...  please follow us @quiltinspire !

Jane's Christmas by Linda Reid

Here is a Dear Jane quilt with a twist!  Linda Reid says, “In our [Dear] Jane Group, we made Christmas squares to exchange. I added some of my own to complete [this] quilt.” The Christmas tree blocks, which add to the festive theme, were arranged symmetrically across the quilt.

Many blocks had fussy-cut images, such as the cute kitty shown below.

Image credits:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2015 Diablo Valley Quilters' Guild show.

Twelve days of Christmas Quilts: Christmas Jane

Christmas 2015 is drawing near, and we wanted to share some of the amazing, gorgeous Christmas quilts we've seen this year. Thanks to the many quilters who have inspired us with their beautiful creations!  Here is Day One of  our series: Twelve Days of Christmas Quilts.

Christmas Jane by Barbara Shates

What a creative setting for 36 different Dear Jane blocks, made in reds and greens!  The blocks were made by Barbara Shates and other Dear Jane group members for an exchange in 2011. The original setting was designed and machine quilted by Barbara.  She encircled the design with a quilted feather wreath, and quilted a smaller wreath in the middle, surrounding the machine embroidered message holiday message: Joy.

We've include closeup photos to show the beautiful appliqued and pieced blocks.

Image credits:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2015 Diablo Valley Quilters' Guild show.

Best of the September quilt show! Day 2

Welcome to a new season of quilt shows ! We had a wonderful time at the Diablo Valley Quilters' show in Walnut Creek, California ! Here is Day 2 of  some of our favorites from this fun show.

California Jane by Kathy Fitzpatrick

Kathy notes, "I started this quilt in 2009 with the Diablo Valley Quilters' California "Dear Jane Group" and the book by Brenda Papadakis.  I finished in July 2015."  That's actually pretty fast work, as the average Dear Jane quilt has approximately 225 different blocks !  Kathy's work is a true masterpiece and clearly destined to be an heirloom quilt for her loved ones.

Closeup, California Jane by Kathy Fitzpatrick

Gorgeous shades of sapphire and periwinkle blue provide an eye-catching contrast against the white background. The blues alternate with lemon yellow and gold blocks. Kathy pieced, appliqued and hand-quilted California Jane by herself.  We'll be posting more close-up photos on Pinterest.

Santorini Afternoon by Fran McNamee

Fran explains, "[This quilt was] pieced from my original design and photo of Santorini (a Greek island on the southern Aegean Sea).  The [piecing] technique came from Sue Rasmussen's class at the Empty Spools Quilt Seminars at the Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, California." Fran's delightful, realistic depiction of this sun-dappled, volcanic island shows her excellent use of perspective, light, and shadow to give dimension to the white-washed buildings.

Close-up, Santorini Afternoon by Fran McNamee

The vibrant blue tile of the ancient church rooftops mirrors the blue of the jewel-like sea. Fran designed, pieced, and quilted this fabulous project by herself.

Complementary Colors by Lynne Douglas

This quilt with its whimsical, expressive face reminds us of a Picasso abstract painting !  We especially loved the blue hair braid that graces the subject's face. Lynne is a member of the Creative Fiber Artists group in this guild and explains, "The challenge was complementary colors. Orange is my favorite color, so I had to use its complement, which is blue. I love doing portrait quilts, and this was so much fun to do." Lynne pieced and quilted this original design herself.

Giant City in Fall by Suzi Dillinger

Here's a quilt done in languid, watercolor fabric that perfectly depicts a quiet afternoon in autumn. Suzi notes, "Giant City State Park in Illinois was one of my mother-in-law's favorite spots." The quilt was based on Suzi's original photo of the park. Free-motion quilting over tulle adds to the texture of the water, woods and sky.

Pickled Pepper by Debby Horton, quilted by Loretta Jones

Debby writes, " I made this quilt at a class taught by Vicki Wind at Wooden Gate Quilts in March 2014. This was my first paper-pieced quilt!"  We think that Debby's quilt turned out spectacularly.  The vibrant colors and energetic prints are extremely eye-catching, and the border of little birds gives an especially cheerful touch. The pattern was designed by Judy Niemeyer.

Sunny Spring Frost by Diane Chambers, quilted by Christine Zachow

Diane says, " Sunny Spring Frost is based on the 'Earth, Wind, and Fire' pattern by Linda Ballard. Her class called for three color families with six fabric in each, but I instead explored jewel tones and their pastel counterparts. My 'families' were jewel, pastel, and yellow. 'Sunny' refers to the center of each Ohio Star and the diagonal yellow chains; 'Spring' to the color palette; and 'Frost' to the batik backing and binding."

Sunny Spring Frost by Diane Chambers

These gorgeous, color-saturated batiks remind us of bowls of ice cream sherbet in a rainbow of hues!  We admire Diane's excellent fabric selection and workmanship.  Christine Zachow  quilted the blocks with large butterflies and flowers.

Image credits:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration.