Highlights of the 2016 AQS QuiltWeek: Exemplary Applique

The 2016 AQS QuiltWeek in Phoenix, Arizona was one of the best shows ever. With hundreds of quilts and very special exhibits by renowned quilters, it was an incredible show. Here are some exemplary applique quilts from the show.
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Daisy by Dianne S. Hire

This spectacular quilt was featured in App-2-Applique by Dianne S. Hire (2016), a book and compact disc ( CD) of applique designs and ideas. Dianne entered "Daisy" as part of the "Author's Showcase" of quilts, a special, non-judged exhibition.

Close up, Daisy by Dianne S. Hire

Close-ups like this one always remind us that applique requires hours of painstaking work, but the results are often stunning !  Notice the delicate embellishment of small beads along the quilt binding.

Exuberance, 48 x 48", by Zena Thorpe (Chatsworth, California)

Zena explains that she made this quilt simply for the fun of mixing exuberant colors and designs.The trapezoid-shaped inner border gives a very pleasing three-dimensional effect, almost as if the center is surrounded by an outward-curving frame.

Close up, Exuberance by Zena Thorpe

Zena adds that her original design was a joy to work on from start to finish.She won Third Place in the "Handquilted Quilts" category.

Journal of My Journey, 77 x 88,  by Teri L. Cherne (Henniker, New Hampshire)

After surviving cancer twice, Teri created this fabulous quilt while touring in a camper across the United States. She says that it brought her comfort during her healing journey. The gently curving border adds to the romance of this elegant, vintage-inspired work.

Close-up, Journal of My Journey by Teri L. Cherne

Look at the pretty dragonfly that has been quilted just to the upper left of the dark green leaf ! Teri's design source is the "Applique Takes Flight" pattern from Jane Townswick's Applique Takes Wing: Exquisite Designs for Birds, Butterflies, and More. 

Spring Dance, 79 x 79",  by Barbara Clem (Rockford, Illinois)

Barbara notes that tulips are her favorite flower, and she used the leaves from trees and bushes in her back yard to make the leaf motifs. We especially love the bright blue fabric, which brings such a cheerful effect to this gracious, stately quilt.

Winner of the "Best Hand Workmanship Award",  Barbara's quilting and applique work here show off her impeccable talents.

Ben's Midnight Garden, 86 x 82", by Barbara Korengold (Chevy Chase, Maryland)

 Second place winner in the "Handquilted Quilts" category, Barbara explains that Ben's Midnight Garden was inspired by a 19th century American rug in the collection of the Museum of American Folk Art in New York. Barbara did an outstanding job in creating a real masterpiece of applique. After viewing this extremely, labor-intensive work, we're going to stop complaining about the hours needed to complete our own  quilting projects !
Close-up, Ben's Midnight Garden by Barbara Korengold

We loved this darling bunny as he scampers happily through this gorgeous garden. As we are familiar with the habits of wild bunnies  (or at least jackrabbits out here in the West where we live), we imagine he is treating himself to nibbling on some of these delectable blossoms !

Image credits:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration.

Best of the 2015 World Quilt Show in Florida Part 2

Florida's World Quilt Show in West Palm Beach is a great event to attend, amidst the warmth and sunshine,  while most of  the U.S.A. shivers under winter's blanket. We marveled at all the spectacular quilts from around the globe!  Planet Earth indeed holds a huge variety of wonderful quilting talent. We're happy to be sharing this series of photos from Florida.

Let's Do The Dresden Twist by Teri L. Cherne, U.S.A.

Blue ribbon winner for Best of Country award -- U.S.A., Terri writes, "So much fun! All the wide open space made for great play time!"  Terri's Dresden twists, done in vibrant polka dot fabric, are an original design, which is hand appliqued, machine pieced, and machine quilted. The outer border of alternating scallops and points adds a vibrant energy to this creation.

Close-up, Let's Do The Dresden Twist by Teri L. Cherne

Look at the large variety of contemporary quilting patterns here. We love the bubbles interspersed with the wavy lines.

Summer Fairy by Kazue Tsukayama, Japan

Blue ribbon winner for Best Hand Workmanship- Innovative Quilts, Kazue notes, "Blue sky in the summer and colorful flowers. The flower fairies enjoy this!  The quilt is finished with embroidery and applique. "

Close-up, Summer Fairy by Kazue Tsukayama

In this delightful quilt, the little fairy is all dressed in lavender, with mint green accents. We love the charming daisies which adorned her wrists and headband. All in all, this scene is so adorable and colorful.  Kazue's original design is machine pieced, hand appliqued, and hand quilted.

I Dreamt of Being a Flower by Magah Miranda, Brazil

 

We've never shown a quilt from Brazil before, so were thrilled to see this one at the show. Here's another tiny fairy-like figure,  no doubt dancing an energetic samba, with a flower bud for a hat.  The quilter writes, " I always have wanted to dress myself as a flower, especially when my mother used to take me to Holambra, a city close to Campinas, Soe Paul, my city in Brazil. It is very famous because of the first class flowers that are produced there. I had the opportunity to go there several times and have very much enjoyed those visits since I was a little girl. "

Mystery by Maya Chaimovich, Israel

Maya states, "The beginning of a new quilt is a mysterious adventure for me, of which I don't know the end. Life is also a mystery to us; that is the beauty of it."
Maya Chaimovich is the author of the book, Simply Creative Quilts.  You can read a review of her art quilts at The American Craft Council.

Close up, Mystery by Maya Chaimovich, Israel

We resisted the temptation to touch this quilt (as we always do). However, these rich, color saturated violets and rose tone shimmering fabrics with their various textures really appeals to one's tactile senses. Maya's work is machine pieced, machine appliqued, and machine quilted.

Still Life with Copper Coffee Pot by Sheila Walwyn,South Africa

Sheila explains, "The idea for this design was sparked after I had spent some time looking up the still life quilts of abstract artist Dominie Nash. I photographed and sketched a still life which I had set up and then followed with a collage process in fabric. First, I pieced and layered a background with cottons, organzas, chiffons, and tulles; then fused on the still life elements and finally embellished the work with machine quilting."

Close-up, Still Life with Copper Coffee Pot by Sheila Walwyn, South Africa

Strong angular lines of this sophisticated, very enjoyable creation  provide a contrast to the circular curves of the coffee pot and the fruit. In this close-up, you can see some of the tulle netting fabric that Sheila used for embellishment.

Ribbons and Blooms by Kate Behrens

Kate says, "My quilt is inspired by the 2007 Block of the Month "Ribbons and Blooms" by Beth Ferrier at Applewood Farm Patterns. I pieced the blocks on my sewing machine and also joined the blocks by machine. All applique work and the quilting have been done entirely by hand. I used all batik fabrics."

Close-up, Ribbons and Blooms by Kate Behrens

We enjoyed all this fabulous hand applique and hand quilting.  Lavenders, pinks, and fuchsias contrast so prettily with the bright orange-yellow ribbons and sunburst blocks next to them. ( See larger photo).  Kate has done a superb job of color selection here.

Image credits:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration.