Symphony of Colors: Japanese Quilts

Quilts came to Japan at the end of 1970 as a new hobby from America. Since then, the Japanese quilters have developed their own style using traditional fabrics and motifs.  We are fascinated by the meticulous applique and quilting, which we've tried to capture in close-up photos. Each of these quilts is more than 6 feet across, which gives you an idea of the amount of work involved in these creations.  This is part 2 of a two-part series.

Please note: We're continually posting free patterns on Twitter!  Check us out @QuiltInspire

We're also selling beautiful quilt books at low prices on e-Bay !

World As If Floating by Pachiko Yoshida

White Woods by Keiko Yoshida

White Wisteria, 68 x 83", by Keiko Yoshida

Usuzumi Sakura (#11 in Bridal Robe series), ~78 x 59", by Eiko Okano

Dianthus - In Memory of my Mother, ~77 x 77",by Sachiko Yoshida

Autumn Sky, ~68 x 80", by Reiko Naganuma

Pompom Mum ~67 x 74", by Reiko Naganuma

 

Mizumandara, 83 x 83", by Yoko Ueda

Stars of the Sea, 77 x 77', by Yoko Ueda

Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2016 AQS QuiltWeek in Phoenix, Arizona.

Symphony of Colors: Japanese quilts

Quilts came to Japan at the end of 1970 as a new hobby from America. Since then, the Japanese quilters have developed their own style using traditional fabrics and motifs.  We are fascinated by the meticulous applique and quilting, which we've tried to capture in close-up photos. Each of these quilts is more than 6 feet across, which gives you an idea of the amount of work involved in these creations.  This is part 1 of a two-part series.

Please note: We're continually posting free patterns on Twitter!  Check us out @QuiltInspire

We're also selling beautiful quilt books at low prices on e-Bay !

Peony, ~74 x 75", by Kuniko Saka

Rose Garden, ~91 x 78", by Junko Yazawa

Poet Byakuren, ~67 x 78", by Kuniko Saka

Love Letter, 74 x 78", by Pachiko Yoshida

Flowering, ~78 x 78", by Sachiko Yoshida

Autumn Breeze, ~78 x 79",  by Akiko Kawata

Flower Book, 80 x 80", by Junko Yazawa

 

Image credits:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2016 AQS QuiltWeek in Phoenix, Arizona.

Brilliant bargello quilts

Bargello quilts are fascinating patchwork designs made of small squares or rectangles, pieced together so that they create waves of color, often in a zig-zag or "flame" pattern. The name originates from the Bargello palace in Florence, Italy, where the chair seats were done in needlepoint with the flame stitch motif.

Please note: We're continually posting free patterns on Twitter!  Check us out @QuiltInspire

We're also selling beautiful quilt books at low prices on e-Bay !

Spiral Galaxy by Jody Gagnon, Arizona Quilters' Guild

Jodi writes, "I centered a round bargello pieced quilt in a black square, added the leftovers, and voila: Spiral Galaxy. It is longarm quilted, glitzed, and glittered. "

Spiral Galaxy was inspired by Quilts Without Corners by Cheryl Phillips and by photos of outer space.

Southwest by Northwest by Kathy Kutansky, Tucson, Arizona Quilters' Guild

Kathy's pattern source was a photograph of a quilt made in the 1970's. She drafted a pattern based on a strip quilt.  Visual interest is added by the pointed motif which drops down below the bottom border. Her work is machine pieced and hand quilted.

Kathy notes, "These are the colors that surface when I think of a Southwest quilt. Being a "snowbird" (a winter visitor to Tucson) from the Northwest, I just had to put this one on my wall."

Northern Lights 8 by Ann Bird (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)

Ann explains that she was inspired to use the print colors of a blouse she purchased at a garage sale. She reverse-appliqued them to the black background, creating a lovely rainbow effect.

Ann's quilt is one of a series inspired by the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights), which appear in the northern skies over Canada.

Black and White and Gray All Over - Almost! by Susie Weaver, Tucson Quilters' Guild, quilted by Pam Knight

Susie says of her original design, " I'm often asked how the basic two-fabric bargello can be enlarged for more practical purposes. I made this version in an effort to answer that question and to know how much more fabric is needed. I now have those answers. "

Susie's experiment in pattern enlargement turned out beautifully, as did Pam Knight's quilting. The quilting pattern replicates the curved "squiggles" of the contemporary print fabric.

Mountain Peak by Ruth Martin, Tucson Quilters Guild

Ruth states, "The quilt top was made in Susie Weaver's Two-Fabric Bargello class in 2011. Susie gave quilting suggestions, but my top languished until I finally got the courage to try some free-motion quilting in the "peak"[of the bargello motif] and the border. Thanks, Susie !"
We love these soft, refreshing colors which gives Ruth's quilt such a relaxed, tranquil look.

Mema's Cactus Flowers by Camille Salisbury, quilted by Karolyn "Nubin" Jensen, Tucson Quilters' Guild

Red ribbon winner for a first time entry in the Tucson Quilt Fiesta, Camille writes, " I have wanted to create a quilt for my bedroom for awhile. When I saw Nancy Landon's  "Palo Verde Spring" pattern, I knew I wanted to use my favorite colors: purple and green. The name came from my toddler granddaughter, who when asked, stated the features of the quilt and whom it belonged to."

Camille's border in pastel colors provides a great contrast to the deeper shades of the main body of the quilt. The pink, lavender, peach, and mauve flowers dance happily on their vines on all four sides.

Image credits:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration.