Highlights of the Pacific International Quilt Festival - Part 5

We had a fabulous time at the 2015 Pacific International Quilt Festival, the largest quilt show on the Pacific coast of the U.S.  Beautiful quilts were displayed from around the world. All the quilts were designed and constructed at a high level of talent. We are showing some prize winners, but we also will be showing some real gems that did not win. For a complete list of prize winners in the World Quilt category, please click here. Last week, we featured Part 4; and now, here is Part 5!

Summer in Norway, 36 x 40", by Charlene Dakin (Lafayette, California)

Charlene notes of this original design, "While visiting  [the town of ] Undredal, Norway, I was inspired by the lovely church siting beside the great fjords. I purchased a small watercolor painting, and with the permission of the artist, re-created my Norway experience in this quilt."

Charlene adds, "I began my quilt in a class with Kathy McNeil at the Empty Spools Seminars in Asilomar, CA and completed the many small houses later at home. " Undredal is known for its small stave church , which is lovingly depicted here in this enchanting, elegiac scene amidst the natural splendor of the fjords. Charlene's charming work is machine pieced and appliqued and sewing machine quilted.

Song of the Sea, 49 x 36", by Kathy McNeil (Tulalip, Washington)

Blue ribbon winner for Best Wall Quilt, Kathy says," I had no idea where my lovely sea creature would take me. She ended up in an art nouveau design playing with / or eating her little friends." We were impressed with the textures shown on Kathy's quilt, and the lifelike sense of motion created by the waving tentacles.

At first, this sea creature (perhaps an octopus?) is a little startling with its other-worldly eyes, and then it started to grow on us,as it has such a humorous look to it.  Kathy's very creative original design is hand appliqued and sewing machine quilted.

Pop Corn, 31 x 47", by Jan Soules (Elk Grove, California)

Jan explains, "This quilt began in a class with Lenore Crawford. I used one of my favorite California State Fair photos as an inspiration. I worked on one section at a time, and it was exciting to see the photo come to life in fabric. Now I can make fabric popcorn!"

Very pretty thread painting in clear colors of butterscotch and lemon yellow really make this applique "pop."  Jan's vibrant, energetic original design is machine pieced and appliqued, and sewing machine quilted.

Foldy Rolly Patchwork Pzzazz, 65 x 65", by Jennie Rayment (Emsworth, Hampshire, UK)

Jennie writes, "All the designs are named after fireworks and can be found in Foldy Roldy Patchwork Pzzazz - each design is created from simple shapes, and the folded edges are rolled to create curves. [These are] nine of the amazingly manipulated and totally ingenious designs that can be found in Jennie's book. The border is just rectangles and squares - it is the way they get folded that creates the effect -- magic !

Lovely split-complementary colors of green, blue, yellow-orange, and tangerine characterize these fascinating blocks. To see more of her innovative work, or to purchase books and DVD's, please check out Jennie Rayment's website.

Misty Mountain Pond, 76 x 78", by Renee Perlman (New Fairfield, Connecticut), quilted by Christian Lane Quilters

Renee's stunning quilt is paper pieced and machine pieced. Nine Mariner's Star blocks are each encircled by a ring a flying geese triangles. Such balanced, elegant symmetry is very pleasing to the eye.

The Misty Mountain Pond quilt pattern is by Bradley and Judy Niemeyer.  Here is the closeup photo:

This variegated color quilting thread done in a feather pattern looks so pretty on the deep rose red and red violet batiks, surrounded by cream color and light blue points.

Image credits:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration.

Highlights of the 2015 Pacific International Quilt Festival - Part 3

We had a fabulous time at the 2015 Pacific International Quilt Festival, the largest quilt show on the Pacific coast of the U.S.  Beautiful quilts were displayed from around the world. All the quilts were designed and constructed at a high level of talent. We are showing some prize winners, but we also will be showing some real gems that did not win. For a complete list of prize winners in the World Quilt category, please click here. Last week, we featured Part 2 for Day of the Dead; and now, here is Part 3!

Black Crown Crane, 22 x 28", by Claudia Gano, Carmel Valley, California

Black Crown Crane won a blue ribbon for Best Interpretation of Theme, "On Pins and Needles."  Claudia writes, " I design quilts in my mind. I can spend weeks or months on the design. Meanwhile, I pull fabric out from my stash. I usually end at the fabric store purchasing more fabric."  (We can certainly relate to that story!)  The Black Crowned Crane, a beautiful bird which is listed as vulnerable to extinction, is native to the continent of Africa.

Close-up, Black Crown Crane by Claudia Gano

Claudia's original design is embellished by gorgeous thread painting. It's clear to see why Claudia exclaims, " For this quilt, I spent lots of time purchasing thread."  We think that Claudia's hard work has really paid off in her marvelous creation, which drew lots of "oos" and "ahs" from quilt show viewers.

Fields of Quilted Dreams, 54 x 71", by Mel Beach

Mel notes, " [This quilt] celebrates the tradition of cotton production and innovative modern quilt making in American. The white (symbolizing cotton) and the brown (symbolizing soil) rows depict the cotton fields being harvested." Mel's intriguingly designed quilt is sewn from solid color fabrics manufactured by American Made Brand from cotton grown, spun, and dyed in factories all in the United States.  These "yummy" colors remind us of a dish of lemon, lime, and orange sherbet, all topped by blue and chocolate sprinkles.

Close-up, Fields of Quilted Dreams by Mel Beach

In this close-up, you can see some of the many different quilting patterns. Mel adds, "The squares and free motion quilting motifs within represent the many processes in fabric production: the yellow prairie point for the harvesting in the fields, spinning saw blades of the cotton gin, fibers spun together into thread, woven on the loom and then rolled onto bolts... for quilters to create the...modern quilts of their dreams."

Trumpets and Tucks, 42 x 42",  by Jennie Rayment , England

Internationally known quilt teacher and author, Jennie has been quilting since 1989. She's an expert in making three-dimensional quilts by folding and tucking the fabric, much as one might do origami paper folding. At PIQF, Jennie had her own one-woman  quilt-show-within-a-show. We loved this quilt above, done in lovely autumn colors of peach, apricot, warm cream, and maize gold.
These techniques are featured in Jennie's book on Tucks, Textures and Pleats.

Close up, Trumpets and Tucks by Jennie Rayment

Jenny notes, " Tucked Trumpets and Crossed Over Tucks" all combine to create a tactile and textured hanging. Play away....it's fun for all with fabric fiddles to delight. Free motion quilted."

Jazz, 69 x 49", by Evelyn Wickham, California

Evelyn's quilt is part of the "Mid Century Mod: Modern Quilts", which is a relatively new category for PIQF. Evelyn says, " When I start a quilt, I have a vision in my head of what it will be when I finish. ... As I'm choosing fabric and threads, working on the quilt, I can't wait to see how it will turn out."  We're glad to report that this one turned out spectacularly! The lime and aqua are a winning color combination, and the long narrow triangles interspersed with circles remind us of the "op art" movement of the 1960's.

Closeup, Jazz by Evelyn Wickham

Evelyn concludes, "And then it's done - and like an author, I am surprised. It often turns out so different from my vision. Just as wonderful, but different." Evelyn's refreshing original design is machine pieced and sewing machine quilted.

Swirling Circles and Stripes by Mary Mashuta, California

Mary explains, "[Fabric designer] Emily Richardson's over-dyed dot fabrics were added to Kaffe Fassett's woven strips for the Swirling Petals blocks ( in the quilt center). His 'Target' print fabric made a fun border. The colorway selected complemented the block fabrics, and it was fun to combine hand-embroidered chain stitch with my machine quilting."
This quilt was part of a special exhibit featuring Mary Mashuta and her latest book, Foolproof Walking-Foot Quilt Designs: Visual Guide Idea Book (C and T Publishing).

Closeup, Swirling Circles and Stripes by Mary Mashuta

This pretty machine quilting was done with a walking foot attached to the sewing machine, with the feed dogs ( the metal teeth right below the needle) engaged. It is the opposite of free-motion quilting, where the feed dogs are lowered into the machine and do not help to move the fabric past the needle.  Mary explains how to use contact paper to create your own quilting designs which can be done on your home sewing machine. There are a total of 30 quilts pictured in Mary's new book. We really enjoyed meeting Mary at this show and chatting with her about her eye-catching and interesting quilting projects.

Image credits:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration.