Surprises at the Chicago Show

A bit of a late post, but I wanted to share some of my favorite quilts at the recent Chicago Show - yeah, it came back!  It was missed the last couple of years when it relocated to Ohio.
The surprise is that there were many modern quilts, and I was thrilled to see them.  The modern quilt movement is just incredible, in my opinion.  We are witness to an entirely new way of approaching the quilt medium.  It is so fresh, and, I must say, traces it's roots directly to the liberated methods of Gwen Marston.  I truly believe that she broke ground for what we are seeing.  I'm curious as to what you think.
Here are some of my favorites...

 Zinnia, by Lynn Harris of Chelsea, Michigan

 Hugs & Hugs, by Hannah Talecka of Columbia, Missouri

 Tilework, by Elizabeth Harvatine of Toluca Lake, California

 Down Pat, by Pat Budge of Garden Valley, Idaho

Cherry Blossoms #8, by Noriko Endo

Quilt Show and Labels

The weekend that Jan attended the 'String-A-Long' guild show in Indiana, I attended the Venice guild show, Quilting By the Gulf XIV', in Florida.  I loved the mouse pincushion taking in the show from the vantage point of this antique block. 

This liberated log cabin was one of my favorites from the exhibited quilts.  I took a picture of the detail placard (male quilt designer), but can't read the information to give credit.  Funny coincidence that Jan and I should highlight a similar show quilt - guess we're rubbing off on each other (which is a good thing!). 







I was lucky to time my show visit with the bed turning event.  The opportunity for good quilt shots wasn't optimal, but I wanted to share my favorite.

Taryn from Repro Quilt Lover recently asked about quilt labels.  Happens that I was making a label for this quilt which will be exhibited at the AQS Paducah show this week (WOO HOO!).  If you're visiting the show and there's a 'white-glove' lady in attendance, ask to see the back - it's a strippy with alternating solid/lg hst blocks.

This is how I make a label.  My free-hand attempts have been disappointing, so I've partnered with computer software:

     - Type the line info into Word as you want it to appear on the label

     - Highlight the text, select 'center' formatting and play with font and sizing until it meets your needs

     - Save

     - Iron a 8 1/2 x 11 piece of label fabric to the waxed side of freezer paper

     - Mark a 'x' on regular printer paper and print a sample to determine how to feed the label paper

     - My printer takes the freezer paper without a problem

     - If you have a problem, I've used xerox services at Staples successfully

     - Trace over text with permanent pen (Pigma) - keep this in mind when picking the font

     - Cut label to correct measurements.  The excess fabric goes into my scraps

     - You can wash the label to make sure the text is the desired intensity before adding to quilt

String Along Quilt Show

To begin, it has been so long since I've posted. We got a new computer, and it took a few days to move everything over from the old one. Then, I had to (with help) figure out the new photo editing. Having said that, here are some antique quilts from the recent show.

This is a liberated wool, new quilt. Isn't it wonderful?

Feedsack strips make for a quaint medallion quilt.

What a dynamic string quilt!

This is really a log cabin, but it is a charmer, I think.

Postcard from Paducah

This wasn't the typical Quilt Show year.  The venue for the main exhibit was moved at the last minute due to rising river water - Mother Nature has targeted the midwest for flooding rains.  A family emergency changed my plans.  I did attend the show for a few hours on Saturday, so I opted for the Rotary Show to take in the antique exhibit.  This year's theme was 'A Quilted Garden' curated by Sue Reich.  There was a gallery tour starting as I walked in the door!  The wholecloth quilt at left (c. 1830) was the oldest quilt in the exhibit.  What a beauty and in great shape!

I loved the border on the Fleur-de-Lis and Stars Connecticut quilt (c. 1840).

What a fun, graphic four block Daisy quilt - the hand quilting was exceptional.

  

Hexagon Baskets (c. 1940) was a labor of love - lots of little hexagons in this quilt! Love the border.

  







Last exhibit pic is the Redwork Penny Square quilt (c. 1900) - the pre-stamped squares were purchased for one penny.

One of my favorite antique quilt vendors, Cindy Rennels from Cindys Antique Quilts, was at the Rotary.  She has graciously allowed me share these booth shots with you.  Thanks, Cindy!

The quilt show is embraced by the whole community.  I loved the following window displays!

I'm anxious to get back to the sewing machine.  I've been hand sewing binding, so some progress!

Happy Birthday Joanna Semel Rose

and heartfelt thanks for your generous gift to the quilting community.  Everyone described 'Infinite Variety' as the 'exhibit of a lifetime'.  Jan and I viewed the exhibit three times and found new favorites each visit.  The impact of the display as you walked thru the doors was amazing - never to be topped!  I'm posting pics of my fav 5 - those that 'spoke to me'. 

The Park Avenue Armory was a wonderful venue for the exhibit.  This last photo is the pattern projected on the worn drill hall floor from the ceiling lighting rigging.

Crazy Quilt

The first stop at the Punta Gorda Quilt Show was a lecture on the care of antique quilts.  I only caught the last couple minutes (so missed the bed turning), but after wrap-up an attendee brought out an antique crazy quilt to share.  The quilt, dated 1881, was found among family possessions, but wasn't made by a family member.  This was one of the nicest crazy quilts I've seen - mostly embroidered silks.  I'm the caretaker of a family heirloom crazy quilt, but mine is the more typical velvet with fancy edge stitching.  Each square of this quilt was special and included some cigar silks.  

The year is stitched at left.

This is my favorite quilt from the show.  Notice that two of the blocks are pieced a little differently than their neighbors.

Lastly, here's a picture postcard sunset.  Glad I have this to remind me of sunshine and palm trees, because I'm not finding any at home in Indiana!

Houston, We Have a Problem

Only one day to enjoy the show!  The vendors alone could take a day.  Life has 'smacked me in the face' this week, so only popping in to share a few of my favorite contemporary quilts from the show.

Sunflowers by Chris Serong and Susan Campbell from Victoria, AU - beautiful quilting!

Port of Cassis by Lenore Crawford from Midland, MI

Sognare Venezia (Venice Dreaming) by Pauline Barnes from West Midlands, England

Rhinosceros by Pam Holland.  Unfortunately, my full quilt pic had issues.  I just love this guy's face!