Welcome to the Quilt Fiesta! (2)

We attended the 2025 Quilt Fiesta in Tucson, Arizona, and had a wonderful time.  This show is produced by the Tucson Quilters Guild, and there were so many beautiful quilts to admire. We hope you enjoy our photos of the show! Here is part 2.

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We Chose Arizona by Maine-ly Quilting Sisters (Karen Chrisman, Betty Jordan, Mary Lucas, Katherine Kenwood & Susan Baxter); quilted by Betty Jordan & Katherine Kenwood.

This incredible landscape quilt was constructed in parts, then assembled.  Each part was made with Seminole piecing. The description says, "Our group began practicing Seminole piecing together. Betty, Katherine & Mary are from Maine; Susan is from Oregon and Karen is from Arizona. We live in this beautiful state by choice. The work shows our skills and our bond as quilters."

 Queen of the Night by Trish Hastings-Sargent  

This is a framed work of art, representing a relatively new category called Rigid Finished Art Quilts (RFAQ).  They are supported by a frame, stretcher bars or other means rather than a sleeve.  When art quilts are stretched onto a rigid frame, or matted and put into a decorative frame, they resemble a fine-art piece.

We were captivated by the translucent quality of these flower petals and the embroidery representing the pistil and stamen in the center. Trish Hastings-Sargent says, "Once a year in June, the night-blooming Cereus (cactus) turns into a stunning display of fragrant white blossoms! The show begins just after dusk and is usually over by midnight. By morning, the blooms are all gone."

Tucson Five-O by the Tucson Quilters Guild Quilt Fiesta Committee, quilted by Athena Taylor.  

 Pattern source: Inspiration from TQG opportunity quilt blocks over the years.  In 2026 the Tucson Quilters Guild will celebrate its 50th Anniversary. This quilt was created with this milestone in mind (hence the name, Five-O).  It will be the guild's 2026 opportunity quilt (wow!)  The quilt center showcases the stately saguaro cactus of the Sonoran desert, along with an ocotillo and prickly pear, highlighted against the mountains and the colorful sky.

Various local birds can be seen including an owl, hummingbird, and a Gambel's quail (below). 

Sonoran Baltimore by Judy Tenen, quilted by Linda Cote 

This gorgeous Baltimore album-style quilt was designed by Nancy Landon.  Judy Tenen says, "As always, I enjoy making quilts that Nancy Landon designed.  I modified her pattern slightly and enjoy the elements that represent Tucson while still being a traditional "album" style quilt.  Linda Cote furthered the desert theme with her custom quilting. Thanks to both Nancy and Linda!"

The historic San Xavier Del Bac mission is shown in the closeup photo above. Sitting just south of Tucson, the mission is not to be missed if you are visiting the area. It is Arizona’s oldest European structure and a masterpiece of Spanish Colonial architecture, completed in 1797.  

Beautiful applique work can be seen throughout this quilt, including the doves, squirrels, and vines in this photo.

Happiness by Sandra Schuster, quilted by Rick at Sunset Quilting

Sandra Schuster won a blue ribbon for her brightly colored beauty.  She says, "It pulses - from small to big, from thin to thick, with such saturated colors, and OH! Those feathers that are quilted on it! Brought together they equal happiness."  Pattern source: Prismatic by Gina at Gem Hill Quilts. 

 Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2025 Tucson Quilters Guild show.

Red & White Quilt Inspiration

Red and white quilts have timeless appeal! The striking contrast of red against white lends itself to a variety of designs and styles, whether pieced or appliqued. We love this appliqued beauty featuring flowers, birds, baskets, a tea service, toadstools, and beautiful borders.

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Red Delicious by Judy Tenen, quilted by Judy Tenen

Judy Tenen won a prize for her gorgeous quilt, which is primarily appliqued and machine quilted.  She says, "I enjoy the Australian quilt maker, Esther Alieu, so I tried this [Red Delicious] pattern."  

The center basket motif, which is done in a gingham print that resembles a basket design, is overflowing with cherries. A floral print fabric was used to create the semi-round "tablecloth" on which the basket sits.

 For more Red & White Quilt Inspiration, please see our Free Pattern Days for Red and White Quilts - (CLICK HERE for Part 1 and Part 2)

 

 

Image credits: Photos of Red Delicious were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2023 Tucson Quilters Guild show.

Marvelous Miniatures (3)

Miniature quilts require considerable skill, especially when applique is involved.  Today's quilter, Judy Tenen, used a 5 x 7" greeting card as her inspiration... read on to see just how tiny this quilt is!

p.s. Check out our E-Bay shop for great bargains on quilt patterns and collectible items. For continuous free quilt patterns, please visit us on Twitter !

Greeting Card Quilt by Judy Tenen

There is amazing detail in this tiny quilt, which shows a pair of cardinals perched on top of a clothesline quilt. Here is another photo showing the quilt next to a friend's hand in front of (not touching) the quilt:

The original artwork, by Rebecca Barker, was used with permission. Quilter Judy Tenen explains: "Rebecca Barker is a talented artist with a line of greeting cards that feature quilts [Rebecca calls them "Quiltscapes"]. 

Judy continues, "I asked her if I could reproduce her greeting card in the form of a quilt and she graciously agreed. This little quilt depicts her artwork." Shown below is the actual greeting card. Judy Tenen did a fabulous job reproducing this artwork in fabric!

Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2023 Tucson Quilters Guild show.