Quilt Fiesta! Highlights of the Show (2)

Welcome to the Quilt Fiesta, the annual Tucson (Arizona) Quilters Guild show! We saw hundreds of fantastic quilts, and will be sharing highlights here.  We hope you enjoy these photos!

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Awaiting Our Turn by Julie Hallquist

This original design by Julie Hallquist was beautifully made and quilted.  It won a blue ribbon for 1st Place - Art Portrait.  Julie says, "On a trip to St. Martin, my husband and I happened upon a neighborhood holiday party and were invited to join.  We were charmed by these young girls watching the older girls performing and waiting their turn to dance."

The intricate thread work and machine quilting add so much energy to the scene, along with the quilted musical notes, which were done in metallic thread.

 Desert Staircase by Saddlebrooke Friday Quilters, quilted by Athena Taylor

We love this quilt! Desert Staircase won First Place in the Group Quilt category.  Made by the Saddlebrooke Friday Quilters and includes 15 beautiful feathered star blocks in shades of gray and white. Many members took part, appliqueing and piecing feathered stars and painting pottery for their raffle quilt.  Note the quilting in the background replicates the feathered star blocks.

Homegrown by Lorraine Souza, quilted by Linda Cote

Winner of First Place in the Two Person - Applique Category, this beauty was made by Lorraine Souza, quilted by Linda Cote.  The pattern source was Homegrown by Sue Spargo. 

Lorraine says, "This joyful Sue Spargo designed wool applique captured my love of houses and community.  The quilt began as a teaching project and I completed it in tandem with my students.  Partnering with talented quilter, Linda Cote, it was completed June 2023." We loved seeing all the gorgeous applique and embroidery details.

Winding Ways by Helen Lessells

If you love optical illusions, "Winding Ways" is for you! This fascinating show stopper won First Place in the One Person, Medium, Pieced category. The pattern was designed by George Siciliano. Helen Lessells says, "The challenge of this quilt was fussy cutting solid fabrics to establish the shading." It was quilted by Helen herself.

Southwest Missions by Rhonda Borders, quilted by Sherrie Addis

 

 

We love this orignal design, which features lovely fabric panels of mission churches. It was designed and made by Rhonda Borders, and quilted by Sherrie Addis.  Rhonda says, "I found the panel of mission paintings at San Xavier del Bac [a beautiful mission south of Tucson] on my first visit.  The overall design is my own work." Check out the kaleidoscope which Rhonda made in the middle of the octagon block shown below.

Image credits: Photos by Quilt Inspiration were taken at the 2024 Tucson Quilters Guild show.