Highlights of the Pacific International Quilt Festival ! Day 4

The Pacific International Quilt Festival (PIQF) is the biggest quilt show on the West Coast of the US. We had a great time at the 25th annual show in Santa Clara, California. There were nearly 1000 quilts on display from around the globe. Here is Part 4 of our highlights of the show!

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Beginning True, 36 x 36", by Sue de Vanny (Australia)

Sue notes, " In the harsh Australian outback, driving cattle under the sweltering sun....., they can't do it without man's best friend...a dog. It's official name is Australian Cattle Dog, commonly known as Australian Heeler, or Blue Heeler. This dog has been working Australian farms for generations. The breed developed in the 1840's from a Blue Smooth High Collie crossed with a native dingo."

Detail, Beginning True by Sue de Vanny

Sue continues about her original design, "As a dog lover, [I find] this is a perfect subject in its link with true Australian beginnings." We love the intricate way that Sue has constructed the sweet face of this dog, with its large, soulful eyes. Sue's fascinating work is machine pieced, machine appliqued, and sewing machine quilted.

The King of the Barnyard Meets The Big Apple, 72 x 72", by Joanne MacNevin (Massachusetts, U.S.A.)

Honorable Mention winner in the Traditional Quilts category, Joanne says, "The male peacock - such a beautiful and amazing bird ! And doesn't it seem that he himself is completely and totally convinced of his own magnificence - willing, almost compelled to display it to anyone, anything, anywhere? ..Surely New York City has never seen his like. Let's see how the "Big Apple" (New York) receives the "King of the Barnyard!"

Detail, The King of the Barnyard

Joanne's lovely original design is machine pieced and sewing machine quilted.  We really admire all the many hours of work that obviously went into the piecing and quilting of this dazzling work.

Le Chat de Mondrian, 59 x 64", by Connie Kincius Griner (North Carolina, U.S.A.)

Connie explains, "This quilt is a fantasy in the form of a cartoon. In it, I imagine the artist, Piet Mondrian, living in an attic room in Paris. His signature palette of primary colors brings life to his drab surroundings. Even his cat and mouse are transformed by his artistic genius. "

Detail, Le Chat de Mondrian

Connie's beautiful workmanship creates these very clean, geometric lines and edges which are so necessary to the depiction of this contemporary kitty. Her original design is machine pieced, machine appliqued, and sewing machine quilted.

Effervescent Textiles, 67 x 66", by Kathryn Sandner (California, U.S.A.)

Circles in a variety of patterns cover the surface of this Effervescent quilt. Kathryn says, "The premiere edition of Simply Moderne showcased a quilt by RachaelDaisy on the cover. Her [Bubbles] quilt inspired this piece."

Each circle was turned under and machine appliqued (giving an appearance of depth to the layers of circles), and longarm machine quilted.

Necktie Century Archeology, 99 x 80", by Cathy Perlmutter

Cathyl Perlmutter says, "This quilt incorporates 68 neckties, from 1950 to today. I arranged them chronologically, as if an archaeologist were digging them up. The earliest, a tie along the bottom, features a bathing-suit clad pinup girl. Above come the 1960s (paisley galore), the yuppy 70s, and so on. In the lower left are neckties related to love, sex, and childbirth – including a Viagra tie. This quilt encapsulates fashion trends and ideas of masculine interests and sexuality!" The ties shown below feature neon Volkswagens, a golf course, a Monopoly game, and young Elvis clutching a hound dog.

You can see more details of the ties and construction at Cathy Perlmutter's blog. Necktie Century Archeology was hand appliqued, hand quilted, and embellished with 100+ vintage buttons.

Not Forgotten, 80 x 78", by Janet Fogg (Oregon, USA)

Winner of a Judge's Choice award, Janet Fogg says, "Exactly twenty-five years ago I attended my first quilt show and was astounded by the beautiful work. Inspired to create quilts of my own, I couldn’t decide whether to focus on traditional or innovative designs. So, from the very beginning, I combined the two genres in my designs. Today, I present you with Not Forgotten, a well loved character juxtaposed somewhat transparently against a cliff of traditional baby blocks." beside the sea."

Not Forgotten was machine pieced, hand appliqued, and longarm quilted. The beautiful hand dyes are by Jeanette Viviano.

Image credits:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration.