Quilt #3103 “Courage”, 36” x 47.5”
Geri Patterson-Kutras, Machine quilting by Trudy Hardy
Morgan Hill, CA
Last week, my mother and I went to the Pacific International Quilt Festival XVIII at the Santa Clara Convention Center. We agreed that this show was even better than last year’s. Today I will tell you about some of the quilts in the innovative category.
The first innovative quilt that gripped me was the beach scene Geri Patterson-Kutras created using acrylic paints.
Quilt #3103 “Courage”, 36” x 47.5”
Geri Patterson-Kutras, Machine quilting by Trudy Hardy
Morgan Hill, CA
My mother and I both loved Nancy S. Brown’s original design named “EIEIO”. Each animal showed such personality as they poked their heads out of the barn windows.
Quilt #1013 “EIEIO”, 46” x 49.5”
Nancy S. Brown
Oakland, CA
The spiral-printed cotton fabric was a great choice for the sheep’s coat:
Quilt #1013 “EIEIO” detail, 46” x 49.5”
Nancy S. Brown
Oakland, CA
I would not have noticed the larger pattern on Leigh Cabell’s cathedral windows quilt if I hadn’t overheard someone talking about it. You may have to step across the room to see the image.
Quilt #1015 “Ribbitt”, 90” x 106”
Leigh Cabell
Denver, CO
Here’s a close-up of this hand-pieced and hand-appliquéd wonder:
Quilt #1015 “Ribbitt” detail, 90” x 106”
Leigh Cabell
Denver, CO
Kathy McNeil’s “Heron Happiness” is aptly named:
Quilt #1086 “Heron Happiness”, 57” x 53”
Kathy McNeil
Tulalip, WA
The details of the fluffy breast feathers were impressive…
Quilt #1086 “Heron Happiness”, 57” x 53”
Kathy McNeil
Tulalip, WA
…and I liked how she folded down the tips of the cat tail leaves:
Quilt #1086 “Heron Happiness”, 57” x 53”
Kathy McNeil
Tulalip, WA
Jean Renli Jurgenson created a very interesting perspective of a “Hong Kong Taxi” as seen from her daughter’s apartment:
Quilt #1069 “Hong Kong Taxi”, 60” x 41.5”
Jean Renli Jurgenson
Walnut Creek, CA
I wanted to step right into Rachel Wetzler’s inviting kitchen in “Fragrant Memories” and help myself to that strawberry cake:
Quilt #1059 “Fragrant Memoriesi”, 51” x 60”
Rachel Wetzler
St. Charles, IL
.
Quilt #6003 “Shopping Center”, 73” x 52”
Chicko Baba
Japan
…especially this sweet sales lady:
Quilt #6003 detail “Shopping Center”, 73” x 52”
Chicko Baba
Japan
Ann E. Rauen’s “Into the Woods” work of art also merited close inspection:
Quilt #2098 “Into the Woods”, 89” x 65”
Ann E. Rauen
Santa Cruz, CA
The details on this calendar quilt were mindboggling – each square was a field of crazy-quilt patches featuring a highly-detailed tree and surprising little creatures.
Quilt #2098 “Into the Woods”, 89” x 65”
Ann E. Rauen
Santa Cruz, CA
To see the winners of the 2009 World Quilt Festival, also produced by the Mancuso brothers, click here:
There’s a controversy brewing about one quilt I posted on Flickr. To participate in the discussion, click here.
10 comments:
The details, the time! All the textures they sewed in, how incredibly creative.
The cathedral windows take so much time.
Wonderful pix. I'm always amazed that the same quilts win blue ribbons at different shows. I always wonder if they are that fantastic or it's the exposure they get so that the next judge is already opinionated about that specific work. I would think that with such fantastic works in the judging there was at least one other quilt as good as the same old blue ribbon winner. This is not to denegrate the winners, but in the world of fine art, judges 'owe' each other ribbons and I would hate to think any of this goes on in the quilt world.
OMG, these (and the other posts) are the most beautiful and intricate and imaginative quilts I have ever seen!!! And I bet the photos don't even do them justice, just like most art. How fortunate that you were able to attend.
I can't believe I never visited your blog before! How neglectful of me, but I love it and I will be back!
Thank you for visiting and commenting on mine.
What wonderful eye candy. They all look great.
Design a great day,
Janet M. Davies - New Zealand
http://www.jmddesigns.co.nz
http://www.weekendwinner.blogspot.com/
At a quilt show there are always the artists that totally amaze me with the beauty they create. These quilts are amazing and beautiful.
I really love these patterns, they are so well-made.
May thanks for the pics and the commentary.
Greetings from London.
Dear Ruth,
Exactly! It's unimaginable how much time goes into each of these works of art.
Dear Anonymous,
You bring up some valid points. Judging is always tricky when the guidelines are so subjective.
Politics often play a role in judging. My mother once entered a fantastic quilt in a local quilt show where the judges obviously favored entries from their own county. They probably did this because they would have to face these contestants long after the show is over. My mother was devastated when her quilt not only went without recognition, but it was hidden in a side room in a dark corner. I then entered the same quilt in the Pacific International Quilt Festival on her behalf and she won "Best Innovative Quilt" in the amateur category. It was a very happy ending!
I will say, however, that I did not pay much attention to the ribbons when I was deciding which quilts to photograph or feature on dutchbaby. I only followed my heart. It was only in post processing that I noticed that many of the quilts I chose had award ribbons. I think if a work has merit - either because of its design,its workmanship, or both - it is not unusual that it will get recognized over and over again.
Dear Susan,
Welcome, welcome! I will have to thank Ruth for bringing you into the neighborhood!
You're right about the photos. Seeing these quilts up close is unreal - so gorgeous!
Dear Janet M. Davies,
Thank you! I see that you provide a wonderful service for quilters over in New Zealand!
Dear Marilyn,
I look forward to the magnificent quilt show every year. The artists are impressive beyond belief!
Dear Cuban,
I'm so glad you enjoyed them. Maybe your daughter will become a quilter one day...
I apologize for leaving a comment here rather than on the Flickr page with the controversy. I don't have a Flickr account.
This page may be illuminating regarding the Gollyville quilt:
http://www.craftfest.com.au/Melbourne2009/app/shopping/viewItem/123/
It appears to be from a kit. I'm going to ask some Australian friends about the local racial connotations of Gollys, the figures depicted in the quilt.
How is this possible? How is it EVEN possible!!????
I just can't say enough. The feathery crane's beard. The details and folding (?) of the stained glass. The tiny knots on the trees.
HOW, just HOW could anyone ever judge these??
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