Convex Illusions

Do you love optical illusion quilts as much as we do? Today's stunning quilts are based on the Convex Illusions quilt pattern by Kathleen Andrews at KwiltArt.  The use of different colors and quilting patterns allowed today's quilters to make the design their own.

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Convex Illusions by Marcie Hammond, quilted by Jeannie Rogers 

Marcie Hammond won a second-place ribbon for her Convex Illusions quilt! We count seven different red fabrics, going from deep red to pink, in the squares that surround the center motif.  Marcie notes that selecting reds is always hard, and she used the opportunity to explore the local quilt shops in her new neighborhood. Jeannie Rogers used a variety of interesting quilting patterns to enhance the design.

Convex Illusions by Judy Getch, quilted by Rose Maynes

Convex Illusions is a strip pieced quilt pattern that creates a dynamic 3D optical illusion.  This choice of fabrics allows the black-and-white illusion to pop right out from the center of the quilt! This quilt was expertly pieced by Judy Getch, and enhanced by some lovely quilting by Rose Maynes, as shown in the closeup photo below.

If you want to learn more about this design, check out the YouTube videos posted by Kathleen Andrews at this web page: Convex Illusions at Kwilt Art (the video links are below the pattern cover photo.) The pattern is also available at Amazon. Also, you can see another version of this pattern in green at our post on the 2018 Springville Quilt Show.

Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2020 Quilt Arizona show.

Welcome to Modern Quilt Month!

We're celebrating Modern Quilt Month at Q.I., and we couldn't be more excited about these fun quilts!  So, what makes a quilt modern? According to The Modern Quilt Guild, the characteristics may include the use of bold colors and prints, high contrast, graphic areas of solid color, improvisational piecing, minimalism, and expansive negative space.  This is the first of five feature posts.

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Empire Place by Charlene O'Connell

This stunning paper-pieced Empire Place quilt was made by Mardi Norwood, and quilted by Charlene O' Connell.  Charlene explains, "Mardi Norwood was doing a massive downsize and decided to give me this quilt.  I was very honored that she wanted to give it to me and thrilled that I got to quilt it."  The Empire Place quilt pattern is by Kristy Wolf and her daughter Shayla Wolf at Sassafras Lane Designs.

A Sky Full of Stars by Kimberly Davis

This hexagon design quilt was named A Sky Full of Stars for a year of Coldplay concerts in Pasadena (California) and Phoenix (Arizona) and a trip to Kitt Peak National Observatory outside of Tucson.  The quilt was based on a workshop taken with pattern maker Libs Elliott (the design is called The Weight of Love). Many of the beautiful indigo fabrics are by Alison Glass.

Which Way Did They Go by Patti Kupferer

This quilt may appear to be minimalist, until you examine the intricate quilting!  It is the first of a series by Patti Kupferer, and it showcases her longarm quilting skills.  An original design, she created the quilting pattern based on a stained-glass window and used various fills for the sections.  The orange thread really 'pops' on the gray background fabric.

Edward by Marjory Peck

We love the Picasso-like faces in Edward ! Marjory Peck says, "As an applique artist that is losing hand dexterity I was looking for a way to continue my work without hand applique.  I used this piece to teach myself machine applique with turned edges."  Marjory quilted this piece herself, and the result is impressive.

Poppin' In by Jane Congleto, professional quilted by Chris Sousa

We love optical illusion quilts, and apparently so does Jane Congleton!  She says, "I've always liked 3D and geometric quilts.  it was a challenge! It is my first quilt show entry [and] I really like it!" The beautifully-pieced quilt is based on the Convex Illusions pattern by Kathleen Andrews. 

Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2019 Quilt Arizona show.

Best of Utah quilts: The 2018 Springville show !

We had lots of fun seeing the pretty quilts at the 45th annual Utah Quilt Show in Springville, Utah. It's a juried show, featuring quilts of all styles and sizes. We hope you enjoy the "eye candy" below !

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Vision Quest by Connie Healy, quilted by Wren Wookland

Connie says, "I am legally blind and mostly pieced by feel. I saw a wall hanging and thought it would make a beautiful bed quilt, so I just kept going. Someone else will have to tell me where any problems are, because I can't see them."
Our response would be that this is a daunting project even for quilters with perfect eyesight; so Connie's work, which she accomplished despite  her vision challenges, is exemplary. Congratulations to her for this wonderful accomplishment !

The quilt is based on the Convex Illusions quilt pattern by Kathleen Andrews.

Close-up, Vision Quest

In this close-up, you can see the interesting contrasts provided by the ombre green fabric of the inner borders and the textures provided by Wren Wookland's excellent quilting work.

The Circle Game by Patti Jacobs, quilted by Mindy Powell

Winner of an Award of Excellence, Patti writes, "I had this pattern on my shelf for a year or two and was afraid of the circle, y-seams, and many, many templates. Sewing another quilt from [designer] Jen Kingwell,  I was able to successfully make template blocks, which gave me the courage to begin this project. I loved the bright colors. It makes me happy to look at it !"
This blue ribbon-winning quilt is based on The Circle Game pattern by Jen Kingwell.

These happy, vibrant colors really pop out against the fun black and white background of the blocks. We admire Patti's ability in completing this intricate patchwork and applique.

Flying Home by the Quilt-In-Time group. Quilted by Marie Wiggington

This quilt has been cut, pieced, and stitched together by the Quilt-In-Time quilters, a very small group formed in 1998 in Monticello, Utah.
Flying Home is based on a pattern in the 1997 book, More Quick Rotary Cutter Quilts by Pam Bono. (Also see the post at Hidden Treasure Crafts.)

Close-up, Flying Home

The theme of flying geese is emphasized not only by the attractive patchwork blocks which represent actual geese, but also by the triangle motifs known by quilters as flying geese blocks, done here in autumn colors of caramel, gold, and cinnamon. There are hundreds of flying geese blocks in this quilt!

Tribute to Pele by Margo Faccini

Margo notes, "The floral fabric was purchased while on a trip to Portland, Oregon. It took a few years before I added the red and yellow fabrics and designed the background. The flowers are all hand appliqued. Pele is the goddess of Kilauea volcano, which was erupting during the making of this quilt."

Close-up, Tribute to Pele

Here's an excellent example of Broderie perse stitching, in which an entire printed motif is cut out and appliqued as a single pattern onto a background. These brilliant colors are a perfect reminder of the lush tropical foliage of the Hawaiian Islands.

Lap Quilt (Winding Ways) by Marjory Woffinden

Mary states,  "Always enjoying new quilt styles and challenges, I read about this beautiful, colorful quilt and tried it. I'm 97 years old and loved all the hand work of putting together the blocks and applique flowers."

Close-up, Lap Quilt

This patchwork design is the traditional "Winding Ways" pattern. We really admire Marjory's beautiful hand quilting work.  She has done an excellent job in creating this lovely project !

Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration.