It's Raining Cats and Dogs - Part 2

We're continuing with our coverage of loveable canine and feline images displayed at the International Quilt Festival in Houston, Texas. We think these are all wonderful! In the Comments section below, you be the judge and tell us which ones are your favorites. Do they remind you of your own precious companions?

Snow Buddies, 48 x 48", by Ruth Powers

Ruth states, "These are my two dogs, a 165 rescued shepherd mix and a 145 pound Komondor. I took the photo several years ago, intending to make it into a quilt. This exhibit spurred me to get it done."  Komondors are a rare breed with long cords of white fur, resembling a large rag mop.  You can see the photo that inspired the quilt at Ruth Powers' blog.

Close up, Snow Buddies by Ruth Powers

For Ruth's original design, she used machine piecing and free-motion quilting on a domestic sewing machine.  In this close-up photo you can see the pieced segments that make up the dogs and the snowy background.

Close- up, Snow Buddies by Ruth Powers

We really admire the contemporary geometric piecing of the Komondor's coat which gives a lovely three-dimensional collage-like effect to this quilt.

Mendelssohn by Franki Kohler

Franki says, "Mendelssohn, my bichon frise buddy, was just eight weeks old when my sister snapped a photo of him playing in the grass. I knew immediately that I would use the image to create a quilt." Franki began drawing the pattern in a class taught by Ruth B. McDowell. "Mendelssohn" is machine pieced, then free-motion quilted.

Close up, Mendelssohn by Franki Kohler

 The languid curves of the quilt pattern here are very reflective of the wavy fur coat possessed by many bichon frise dogs. If you’d like to learn more about the inspiration for and construction of this art quilt, and see the original photo that inspired the quilt, click here.

Best Friend, 43 x 59", by Barbara Yates Beasley

Barbara writes, "Drew, our Dalmatian mix, was adopted from the local animal shelter in 2002. He has become my best friend, loyal companion, and the muse for my art. This quilt is the 10th in a series of portraits featuring my best friend."  We love Drew's smiling face and laughing eyes. Doesn't he look as if he's ready to play?

Close up- Best Friend by Barbara Yates Beasley

To assemble her quilt, Barbara used raw-edge fused applique, then she free-motion quilted it.  She has made very effective use of many different values of black and white fabrics.

The Gift by Pamela Seaberg

Pamela notes, "About a year ago, a stray cat came crying to our house. He was cold, full of fleas, and un-fixed. We took him in and gave him a home. A week later, my mother passed away.  I think that my father sent him to us to help me with my grief."
Surrounded by an elegant, classic border that looks almost like an oil painting, this cat has a very noble, dignified look.

Close- up, The Gift by Pamela Seaberg

To create her original design, Pamela used over 50 colors of rayon thread. She drew the outline of the cat on muslin; then did thread painting, hand applique, and machine quilting.

Somebody Say Treat?  by Suzan Engler

Suzan notes, "This is Roxy and Lucy Furr. They are Italian mastiffs and belong to my little brother, who loves big dogs.....When I saw Lucy's eyes, I was inspired to try to document her piercing stare into a quilt."

Close-up, Somebody Say Treat?  by Suzan Engler

Suzan has done a great job of capturing the soulful, intelligent look of these countenances. She used a digitally manipulated photo, which was printed, then thread painted. 

Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2013 Houston International Quilt Festival.