Going Green: France Patchwork

The largest member organization of the European Quilt Association, France Patchwork promotes quilting all over Europe.  The organization celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2014, and the challenge chosen was the color, green.  We saw this special exhibit, La Verts dans tous ses États, at the 2014 Road to California.

Anduze by Patricia Fuentes

Anduze, a region in Southern France, is well known for the Bambouseraie - a large park full of bamboo. Patricia Fuentes incorporated photos on fabric to evoke the scenery; we almost felt as if we were there.

Close up, Anduze by Patricia Fuentes

The bamboo stalks, leaves and garden flowers are delicately represented; the flowers are done in a translucent fabric.  The flowers and some of the leaves are appliqued to the quilt, while others are three-dimensional.

Espérance by Beatrice Grenaudier 

We enjoyed the soothing, grayed blue-green color scheme in this star quilt with its theme of Hope.  The star design is interesting; each right triangle appears to be pieced in a manner similar to a French braid.

Vert’iges by Nathalie Tamborini 

Three-dimensional leaves of ivy drape over this green-walled quilt, reminding us of a mossy garden.

Close up, Vert’iges by Nathalie Tamborini 

The fabrics are again interesting.  They have a blurry, photographic quality - possibly they were made with a hot wax batik process (wish we knew).

Éclat de Verts (burst of green) by Dominique Briet

This pretty yellow-green sampler is made of individual mini quilts that were stitched together to make a panel.  Each pattern is unique, but the colors tie them all together.

Green Man, artist unknown, France Patchwork

We loved the "Green Man" whose face appears amidst the leaves. We are still seeking the attribution for Green Man; the artist was not listed on the card.

Feuilles by Marianne Bender-Chevalley 

Contemporary quilt artist Marianne Bender-Chevalley is well known for her themes of nature and plants.   In Feuilles she created the appearance of depth through the use of layering, light/dark, and stencil-like forms.

Elle court, elle court la déforestation by Mireille Viel-Blener

The theme of Deforestation is represented in this asymmetrical log cabin design with areas of green surrounded by a swath of white.

Forêt by Maryvonne Rozier 

A convincing forest of triangular trees make up this Forêt.  The trees were done in a variety of interesting solids and prints and a blue-to-chartreuse color scheme.

Image credits:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration.