Singularity by Jenn Nevitt (MQG's 2017 Quilts of the Month)
Today's category includes those quilts that have a way with color (or no color), but didn't fit in the previous two posts. Singularity was the very first quilt I came upon in the show and it is a stunner. Jenn's use of color is amazing! I really have no interest in making this design (it's available for MQG members as a free pattern), but I can definitely be inspired by the color.
Grandmother's Life on Mars by Diana Vandeyar (2nd Place in Modern Traditionalism)
This quilt is just so interesting. It is created with an improv hexagon technique. I have not heard of that before, but it's super cool and no surprise it got 2nd place in its category.
Mod Drunk by Wanda Dotson (Modern Traditionalism)
Mod Drunk is a fantastic take on the Drunkard's Path block. This quilt explores variation in value placement in a regular block. This sort of concept is always interesting and a great way to break out of the box if you are a very traditional quilter. You can have the most perfect points and stitching technique, but also play with color and design. This quilt is also hand quilted which adds a lovely dimension when you get a closer look.
Mirror Ball by Maria Shell (2nd Place in Piecing)
My friend, Maria, got 2nd place for her quilt Mirror Ball! I always take a photo of the quilt information, but often don't get a chance to read it until I do these posts. Maria says that this quilt is composed of the remains of strip sets that she created for other quilts. She says she often finds her next quilt in the scraps next to the cutting table. That's true for me too. How about you? If not, are you missing your chance to make a fabulous quilt?
Aerial Grove by Carolyn Friedlander (Carolyn Friedlander special exhibit)
Aerial Grove is another favorite from Carolyn. I love the colored "squircles" and the neutral background. I took some extra photos, again for quilting inspiration as I have something in progress inspired by this one that I started during the Maine retreat when I had a class with Carolyn. It was my car sewing that summer as we drove across the country from Massachusetts to Oregon.
Aerial Grove is inspired by her having grown up in Florida citrus country. She is also inspired by aerial views (see the last photos as well). You'll also see this sensibility in her fabrics. By the way, Carolyn was the featured speaker and her lecture was a very interesting retrospective on her life as an architect, fabric designer and quilt pattern designer.
Word Play by Jill Ault (SAQA Presents: Modern Inspirations- Art Quilts From the 1970s Through Today)
The SAQA exhibit had many wonderful quilts, but this one stood out for me. Jill says she "pieced a word chain of related words. Each word is connected to the next in some way, although the spelling may change. The letters are pieced as black on white, followed by white on black." It can be challenging to read this one, but what an interesting concept!
Bay City Balconies by Donna Brennan (SAQA Presents: Modern Inspirations- Art Quilts From the 1970s Through Today)
I also really liked this small piece. This is created with just machine stitching on white. It is based on a photograph taken by the artist's husband. I love this quilt interpreting a simple line drawing.
Maps by Carolyn Friedlander (Carolyn Friedlander special exhibit)
Another favorite by Carolyn. These are in her book, Savor Each Stitch, but I had not seen them in person until now. This project was inspired by a design in her first fabric collection which was inspired by a drawing of a map of St. Louis. I love that this triptych includes hand quilting, machine quilting and hand tying. This inspires me to try something like it.
