One More Block by the Kansas City MQG (Charity Quilts)
Today I'll start a series of posts about QuiltCon. This year it will be a little bit different. I didn't take nearly as many photos as usual. Partly because I was only at the show for 2 days rather than 4. Also, I've decided to categorize them differently. Some of these quilts were actually in the category I have put them in. Others I have reassigned a category that makes more sense for the posts I'm going to do. I'll include the QuiltCon category as well, so you can see how it was originally assigned.
The first quilt I've posted here was my favorite at the show although it wasn't actually in the show. One More Block is a charity quilt. It was in the lobby where anyone could come in to see it. What struck me about this quilt was the lovely handwork. It was also completely different than any of the other charity quilts. The guilds were given a palette of colors to use any way they liked. All the other guilds used fabric in those colors. The Kansas City MQG only included the colors in the thread used for the big stitch quilting. The other thing I love is that it's not just any handwork. This free form/improv style stitching is so exciting. Every block is different. This quilt should make its new owner very happy!
Unplugged by Rachel Singh (Handwork)
Unplugged is a lovely example of a handwork quilt. So many stitches! It is made completely by hand, including the binding.
Some Kind of Special Something by Kim Eichler-Messmer (Handwork)
Some Kind of Special Something is a marvelous wholecloth, hand dyed quilt. I was able to attend one of Kim's lectures during the show and it was so interesting. This is made with machine sewn shibori and indigo dye.
Gestures by Eva Schwarz (Youth)
The Youth category this year was particularly wonderful. In fact, I think it was more exciting than many other parts of the show. More to come on that in a future post. This quilt is just so lovely and it's her first quilt! She did the hand embroidered hands based on her own sketches and pieced the curves to echo the gestures. What a marvelous concept and execution!
Geese Study #1 by Heather Kinion (Handwork)
I like Geese Study #1 for its beautiful stitching with color and pattern created mainly with thread. I also like that if you look closely you'll see that there are irregular interruptions in the stitching, they are not just straight lines.
Botanics by Carolyn Friedlander (Carolyn Friedlander Special Exhibit)
Botanics is one of my favorite quilts of Carolyn's. I have made this design, though it's still just a top and I took these photos for quilting inspiration. I love her use of color as well.
