Quilts of the World part 3: Canada

Part of the 2016 Pacific International Quilt Festival was the World Quilt Competition XX, which is a special exhibition within the larger P.I.Q.F. This competition, which is open to quilters from many countries, starts out each summer on the East Coast of the U.S.A.; the best quilts from that show then go on tour to the various regional shows in America. We hope you enjoy this presentation, continuing with quilts from CANADA.

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Sweat Lodge @ Lazy M, 34 x 43", by Patti Morris

A sweat lodge is a low profile hut, typically dome-shaped or oblong, made with natural materials and used for a purification ceremony in native cultures. Patti Morris says, "This design came from an art retreat at the Lazy M Lodge in Central Alberta. Walking around the grounds I came across this very old stick-like fort called a Sweat Lodge. I sketched it onto paper and then transferred it to fabric. My goal is to donate this piece to the Lodge when I return for another drawing retreat."

A to Z for Ewe and Me, 79 x 90", by Carolyn A. Hudson

Winner of the Best of Country award for Canada, A to Z for Ewe and Me is the 2014 Block of the Month for the Quilt Show designed by Janet Stone. Carolyn Hudson says, "Janet is doing a series of alphabet quilts with ewes and winning consistently in shows for her work."

Each letter of the alphabet is done in a different font and includes a pieced or appliqued block. Carolyn says, "Making this quilt has been a pivotal point in my quilting journey and such fun!"

Ophelia, 54 x 38", by Marilyn Farquhar

This original design quilt is hand appliqued and longarm quilted. Flower motifs were fussy cut and appliqued to create the ostrich. Marilyn Farquhar says, “My son frequently challenged me to make an “ostrich” quilt instead of “flower” quilts. I took up the challenge in secrecy…. not only did I want to make his ostrich, I wanted to use floral fabrics, just to get his goat."

Marilyn's use of purple polka dot background fabric created a whimsical piece and allowed textural quilting.

New Crop, 43 x 43", by Leah Gravells

Leah Gravells says, "I am continually inspired by the sky and the fields of Alberta to create original designs. The new crop fields by Cochrane inspired this design. The fields were a lush green. This design uses 170 batik fabrics which were individually cut into ¾” strips. Each strip is quilted to the batting and backing using a “quilt as you go” technique on a domestic sewing machine."

Leah used 100% cotton batik fabrics, Hobbs Heirloom Batting and 100% cotton Gutermann thread.

Red, White and Black, 54 x 58", by Patti Morris

Patti Morris says, "This quilt originated from some left over stash I found while cleaning out my studio in the spring of 2015. Working without a plan, I sewed some strips together hoping to make a quilt for one of my grown daughters. The more strips I sewed together, the more fun it became. Then, when I decided to throw in some colorful dots, the piece seemed to dance!"

Canadian Winter, 72 x 78",by Carolyn A. Hudson

Canadian Winter, done in red and gray, is an original medallion quilt with an inner border of sampler blocks.  The center 16-point oval Mariner’s Compass is a pattern by Judy Mathieson’s book and was used with permission. The red stars really show up against the wintry gray blocks.

Image credits:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration. Ophelia was exhibited in the main PIQF show.  The other quilts shown were entered in the World Quilt Competition.