Best of the 2015 Springville (Utah) Quilt Show (part 1)

We enjoyed our fun trip to the 42nd annual quilt show at the Museum of Art in Springville, Utah. It was very professionally staged and contained some outstanding works of quilting art. Here are our favorites and award winners from top quilters in the state of Utah.

Midnight Wedding Star by Josephine Keasler, quilted by Carole L. Sturgis

A blue ribbon Award of Excellence winner, Josephine states, "Several years ago, I purchased two jelly rolls (strips of fabric that are 2.5" wide), a bright and pastel version of the same colors. When I saw this  pattern, I decided that it was... perfect for my treasured jelly rolls." We loved Josephine's breathtaking quilt, whose cohesive look is achieved by her careful positioning of fabric colors in each block. This is the Bali Wedding Star quilt pattern by Judy Niemeyer. Josephine specializes in paper foundation piecing by this designer.

Close up, Midnight Wedding Star by Josephine Keasler

Jospehine continues, " My friend [Carole Sturgis]  offered to quilt if for me on her home sewing machine and asked me what I wanted quilted on it. "  Each wedge of the double wedding ring was quilted with a small heart and feathers.  The black background was quilted in royal blue thread.with feathers that curve around, ending in hearts.

Dresden of the Sea by Diane E. Miller

Winner of a Judge's Choice and Viewer's Choice award, Diane says, "Quilt teacher Kaye Evans' 'Kaffe and Friends' class made Dresden plate blocks, and we then had to design a quilt using the blocks we had made. It was my idea to incorporate them into a sea scene. "

Close up, Dresden of the Sea by Diane E. Miller

Diane achieved spectacular effects by cleverly displaying her Dresden plate blocks as shells and  sea ornaments in a very decorative underwater world.

Close-up, Dresden of the Sea, by Diane E. Miller

Batik turtles peacefully drift through the seaweed above. The "echo" quilting pattern which follows the outline of the seaweed, enhances the languid, dreamy sensations that are exuded by this fascinating scene.

Worlds Without End by Sharon Aposhian Wright

Another blue ribbon Award of Excellence winner, Sharon notes, "While at the Houston International Quilt Festival, I saw a quilt made by sisters Sue Nickels and Pat Holly  for the Libby Lehman  Benefit Auction. I was captivated by the richness of Dupioni silk, the challenge of making the circles appear as lighter versions of the background fabrics, and the exercise of designing twenty-five different quilting motifs."

Close up, Worlds Without End by Sharon Aposhian Wright

Sharon continues, "I quilted this on my Bernina 440 machine, using silk thread and wool batting." This gorgeous color-saturated silk background reflects the light with a soft glow and shows off Sharon's stunning workmanship.  

Paokalani African Tulips by Karin Crawford, quilted by Pat Gorelangton

Karen writes, "The African Tulip tree has beautiful large blossoms and is one of my favorite motifs in traditional Hawaiian-style quilting.  The pattern was commissioned of John Serrao of the Paokalani School of Hawaiian Quilting in Honolulu. [I] modified the pattern by adding more blossoms and opening the center.  An open center symbolizes a connection with heaven. The batik and ombre fabric was selected for uniqueness and color. It was quilted in the traditional Hawaiian style of echo quilting."  We really admired the graceful,  elegant design of this lovely pattern.

For a close-up photo of this quilt, and more Hawaiian designs, see our Hawaiian Quilts board at Pinterest.

Melissa Wedding Quilt by Katherine Porter, quilted by Virginia Gore

Katherine exclaims, "This girl loves color!"  All [my] grandchildren receive a wedding quilt. For Melissa, I knew it must have vibrant color."  This quilter has certainly been successful in selecting colorful  split-complementary tones of orange, blue, green, and purple, then creating vibrant, eye-catching borders.

Close up, Melissa Wedding Quilt by Katherine Porter, quilted by Virginia Gore

Katherine adds, "The medallion is from the book Material Obsession 2, the rest is original design, and the applique is needle-turn."  We love this cheerful little folk-art bird among the flowers, whose wing contains the same intriguing paisley fabric as the border.

Image credits:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration.