Made during the Pandemic: COVID quilts

Quilting was an outlet for many during the pandemic. Here is a collection of creations which express the feelings, hopes, and coping skills during this world event. We honor all the first responders who continue to work so hard,  those who lost their lives, and those whose lives were forever altered.

Pandemic 2020 by Lynn Parker

Honorable Mention winner at the 2022 Tucson, Arizona Quilt Fiesta, Lynn explains, "I included many areas of my pandemic life.  Upper right: White tufts of my husband's hair after first buzz cut, plus one of many mocking birds seen on our walks. Bottom right: Scene on golf course where we walk frequently. In the center: I'm quilting with lots of vaccine aura (fabric pieces) protecting me from the virus."

Detail,  Pandemic 2020

Excellent textural interest is provided by the center block of  attached strips of material in a random yet colorful arrangement. Lynn's design skills and fabric stash provided stress relief and comfort in the midst of an uncertain and perplexing time.

Close-up,  Pandemic 2020

Lynn's original, highly creative design includes many depictions of local wildlife in her area. In this block, you can see some of her thread painting and quilt stitching.

Covid Sucks by Charlene O'Connell

Charlene notes, "The quilt pretty much sums it up. But let me explain. My chapter (of the Arizona Quilters' Guild) had a challenge. We were given three pieces of fabric. We could add one extra piece of choice. We were right in the middle of the pandemic."

Close-up, Covid Sucks

Charlene's expressive original design is machine quilted and hand-guided. We think it's very thoughtful, candid, and poignantly eye-catching.

Isolated but Together by Diane Hartman

Third place winner in the Art Abstract category at the 2022 Tucson Quilt Fiesta, Diane writes, "Begun as a pandemic "embroidery doodling", the individual doodles became discrete squares, which grew into scattered constellations. By the end of the pandemic, this American Beauty Sunrise quilt seemed to mirror everyone's experience of being 'isolated but together.'

Close-up, Isolated But Together

Diane quilted her original  contemporary design herself. Here you can see some of the intriguing hand embroidery stitches that make her work so unique and imaginative.

Stress Relief by Maria Barr

Maria says, "Supposedly a raffle quilt; [but] the event was cancelled. So much going on, juggling so hard, keeping all those balls spinning not falling." On this quilt, you can see numerous smaller individuals, whose physical motions match the motion of the taller figure in the center. Maria's quilt exudes energy and vibrancy, which is in perfect keeping with her theme.

Close-up,  Stress Relief

Maria adds, "Special people help us through, and the little things make a difference. Quilt it out! That's stress relief."  Her design is an original applique over a variation of the Log Cabin pattern, which she quilted herself.

Corona Virus by Rhonda Borders

Rhonda started out to make a traditional eight-point star quilt. She did not intend to make a quilt with blocks that resembled a rounded ball with red spikes as the virus has been depicted. But her quilt turned out to look like images of the virus, so she gave it that name.

Detail, Corona Virus

We admire this quilt for the use of fabric and color, because the juxtaposition of light and dark fabrics really make the blocks sparkle. Rhonda's workmanship is beautiful and very accurate; plus she quilted this herself.  It's challenging to piece diamonds and add three point seams, and Rhonda has done that spectacularly in this work.

Image credits: Photos were taken at the 2022 Arizona Quilters Guild show ("Covid Sucks") and the 2022 Tucson Quilters Guild show (Pandemic 2020, Isolated But Together, Stress Relief, and Corona Virus.