Yesterday I took my mother to the Pacific International Quilt Festival XX in Santa Clara. If you are only going to see one quilt, I recommend you battle your way to the masterpiece "America, Let It Shine" by Sherry Reynolds. You may have to wait a bit before you can see it in its entirety.
In the mean time, you may start by reading the tag. You will understand that the use of graph paper explains how Reynolds achieved absolute precision and uniformity of symmetry.
You'll be impressed that she used a 20-year-old Bernina 1001 to create the free motion quilt design.
The quilt is steeped with symbolic meaning. The thirteen original colonies are represented in the border's blue rays and red triangles:
The 4,886 Swarovski crystals that embellish this quilt represent the sum of the 4,543 words of the Constituion, 312 words of the Star Spangled Banner, and 31 words of the Pledge of Allegiance.
The show runs through Sunday at the Santa Clara Convention Center. More information here.
Reynolds incorporated parts of American history by using parts of the Declaration of Independence, the Preamble of the Constitution, and the Gettysburg Address.
You will know that her goal to create "a tribute to America, our foundations and values, with the hope that they will guide us to a brighter future" was achieved from top to bottom and front to back.
The show runs through Sunday at the Santa Clara Convention Center. More information here.
What an incredible quilt.
ReplyDeleteI wish my dear old friend Jane Flory Freedman were here to see this work. She was a stupendous Quilter herself and this would have blown her mind.
Thanks so much for sharing!
OOXX, CC
The exquisite details and colors in that quilt are so amazing!
ReplyDeleteThat is one impressive quilt, amazing! Thanks for being patient enough to get these beautiful pictures.
ReplyDeleteI am not certain which I like more, the front or the back! Thanks for sharing this adventure with us.
ReplyDeleteHello! How are you?
ReplyDeleteWhat have you been up to lately?
Went to Kuala Lumpur last week.
Had a great time there.
Tomorrow, will be going to Singapore.
Next week, will be flying back to London.
Oh wow! The workmanship is incredible!
ReplyDeleteOMG! I'm gobsmacked, DB. Is this going to be on permanent display somewhere important???
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely amazing!
ReplyDeleteI cannot even begin to image all of the work that went into this.
Wow!! This is quilting at it's highest level!! Really do like having the chance to see this very special work of art. Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteWill be in NOLA after Christmas, hopefully with my Christmas Canon, that is if Santa finds me good. Will you perchance be too?
xox
Constance
That is an absolutely stunning quilt. These types of quilts are real works of art and show much dedication. I have only been to one quilt show and I was totally amazed by the variety and artistry (Quilt Show in Columbus, Oh - http://avagabonde.blogspot.com/search/label/Quilts .) I’d love to go to this one in California, but it’s a bit far. I really enjoyed looking at the quilt and reading your explanations.
ReplyDeleteDear CC,
ReplyDeleteThe workmanship on this quilt is one of the most impressive I've ever seen. My mother just silently shook her head in disbelief.
Dear Kala,
ReplyDeleteYes indeed.
Dear Marilyn,
ReplyDeleteYou're most welcome. I kept myself busy with the close-ups until traffic cleared.
Dear Patricia,
ReplyDeleteI agree that the reverse side is every bit as beautiful as the front. Sometimes a quilt will be hung so that both sides of the quilt can be easily seen. This quilt would have been a great choice for that type of display.
Dear London Caller,
ReplyDeleteYou are quite the globetrotter. Hope the jet lag was not too bad.
Dear EG Wow,
ReplyDeleteYes, very impressive.
Dear Ginnie,
ReplyDeleteThat's a very good question. I'm guessing that it is still traveling the quilt show circuit.
Dear lisa,
ReplyDeleteIt's unimaginable how many hours it must have taken.
Dear Constance,
ReplyDeleteQuilting doesn't get better than this.
Unfortunately, I will not be going to NOLA this Christmas. My daughter is coming home for winter break - can't wait!
Dear Vagabonde,
ReplyDeleteI truly enjoyed your post on the quilt show. I remember seeing the "Tatiana" tiger quilt at the show here in California. Thanks for sharing your link.
If you are going to travel for a quilt show, this one is totally worth it. The Mancuso brothers produce quilt shows all over the country: http://www.quiltfest.com/quilt_festival.asp
Thank you so much for sharing your excellent photos of this masterpiece.
ReplyDeleteI am in awe!! What a masterpiece. I do quilting but nothing to compare. Just love it. Nancy R. in Matthews, NC
ReplyDelete