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Thursday, October 28, 2021

Welcome to the 2021 Pacific International Quilt Festival - part 1

 Welcome to the Pacific International Quilt Festival! Unfortunately, due to time constraints, we could not view all the quilts this year! Therefore, we are showing a small sample of the quilts in this large show. Here is Part 1 of our photos.

Fleur de Leapfrog, 45 x 78, by Lys Axelson, California

 Winner of an Honorable Mention award in the Innovative Quilts category, Lys explains, "Everything about frogs and toads makes me happy. Their color, funny little legs, big giant eyes, the way they hop, swim, and sing. Sadly, in recent time, their has existence has become threatened by loss of habitat, climate change, pollutants, exploitation, and disease. "

Lys continues, "Chytridiomycosis, an infectious fungal disease, attacks the skin of frogs, toads, and other amphibians, causing mass mortality events. Recent evidence shows some species beginning to recover; others continue to experience ongoing decline."  Lys' brilliantly colorful original design is hand appliqued and machine quilted.

High chroma beaded embellishments and closely spaced machine quilting give an energetic appearance to this work and make the frogs appear to be ready to hop right off the quilt !  From the comments of the other viewers at the show, Lys' quilt was a real crowd-pleaser.

Sphere, 76.5 x 76.5, by Beth Nufer, Oregon . Quilted by Clem Buzick.

First Place winner for Best Mid-Century Modern Quilt, Beth notes, "[This quilt was made with all dupioni silk. My goal was to create a 3-D and modern effect."

Precision design and cutting really show off the multiple dimensions of Beth's spectacular quilt. An excellent sense of perspective is required to create this contemporary geometric look. Beth's original design is machine pieced, hand-appliqued, and longarm machine quilted.

Rainy Day Ballet  by Geri Patterson-Kutras, California

Geri writes, "Rain in the big city creates a kind of sidewalk ballet. Dancers perform rapid leaping steps trying to avoid colliding with other dancers and splashing in  unforeseen puddles. The joyful choreographed steps of the tiny ballerina's production of Swan Lake reminds us to slow down and relish the lost childhood gifts of imagination on a rainy day."

Long diagonal lines of quilting, along with an umbrella blown inside out show the effect of the wind and rain on the walkers as they scurry along in the storm. Geri's very imaginative original design includes machine finished edge applique, hand sewn specialty tear shaped and crystal beads, and metallic ink.

Pink Breath of Heaven, 55 x 55, by Allison Alexis Lockwood, California

Allison states, "My quilt designs have been greatly influenced by my love of travel. I am passionate about the color and pattern that I have observed in our exotic corners of the world, such as India, Myanmar, and Bhutan. As Covid-19 has curtailed travel, I find that I have gained months of time to continue creating at home, and my memories continue to inspire me."

One of the charming and lovely embellishments of Allison's work is the tiny little glass mirrors in the center block and in the orange flowers of the inner and outer borders. This type of traditional embroidery is known as Shisha and can be found in India, as well as China, Afghanistan, and Indonesia.

In Perfect Harmony, 36 x 47, by Sandra L. Mollon , California

 First Place winner for Best Wall Quilt, Sandra comments on her original design,  "As a traditional hand applique quilter for more than two decades, it was a leap for me to try a different, realistic, raw edge style. That style, with lots of machine work and some mixed media has become my personal new norm, and it has been a lot of fun."

Sandra adds that her quilt was designed from a photo by Deb Simon, which was used with her permission.  This very intriguing, machine-quilted work has a texture which makes the bears, the water, and the rocks appear true-to-life.

Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2021 Pacific International Quilt Festival.

Thursday, October 21, 2021

Free pattern day: Pink quilts

Here are some fun and FREE patterns for PINK quilts! They would be perfect for Breast Cancer Awareness month (October), or for anyone who simply loves pink. To go to a pattern: Scroll down the page until you see the quilt you like, then click on the words "CLICK for PDF download" (or the hyperlinked website name) in the title above the quilt.  

Also check out our E-Bay shop for great bargains on quilt patterns, books, and collectible items !
For more free quilt patterns, please visit us on Twitter.

Stars for Hope quilt, 48" square, free pattern by Hilary Bobker for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Still Chasing the Cure quilt, 57 x 82”, free pattern by Hilary Bobker for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download

Pink Ribbon quilt, 47 x 58”, free pattern by Gina Gempesaw for Quilter’s World (CLICK for PDF download

Hope Springs Eternal quilt, 24 x 30", free pattern by Hilary Bobker for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Pink Ribbon – Intertwined quilt, 43 x 60”, free pattern by Patti Carey for Northcott Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Luminous quilt, 48 x 60”, free pattern by Ariga Mahmoudlou for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Starlight Tea quilt, 65 x 74”, free pattern by Elise Lea for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Charmer quilt, ~51 x 64”, free pattern at Dear Stella Design (CLICK for PDF download)


Bunny Love quilt, 52” square, free pattern by Heidi Pridemore for Studio E Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)  

Twinkle Fairies quilt, 48 x 59”, free pattern by Marsha Moore for Michael Miller Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Wee Ones pink quilt, 36 x 48”, free pattern by Project House 360 for Michael Miller Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Hugs quilt, 58 x 73”, free pattern at Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)

Basic Blocks quilt, 34 x 45”, free pattern at Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)


 Whirl quilt, ~48 x 60”, free pattern by Mary McGuire for RJR Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download


 Friendship Stars quilt, 51 x 59”, free pattern by Patti Carey for Northcott (CLICK for PDF download)


Pink Warrior - Twist and Turn quilt, 50 x70” or 54 x 74”, free pattern by Elaine Theriault for Northcott Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)


 Hug Me quilt, 56 x 78”, and Hug Me 2 quilt, 68 x 86”, free pattern by Stephanie Sims for Clothworks Textiles (CLICK for PDF download

I Love Flamingos quilt, 48 x 60”, free pattern by Heidi Pridemore for Andover Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)


 Sew In Love quilt, 64” square, free pattern by Riley Blake Designs (CLICK for PDF download)

Baskets in Bloom quilt, free pattern by Linda Ballard for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)


 Petals quilt, 40 x 55”, free pattern by Marinda Stewart for Michael Miller Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)


Pixelated Rose quilt, 66 x 78”, free pattern at Riley Blake Designs (CLICK for PDF download)

Rosalie wall quilt, 36 x 46”, free pattern by Flaurie & Finch for RJR Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)


 Heart with a Cause block, 6” square, free paper piecing pattern by Jennifer Ofenstein at Sew Hooked  (CLICK for PDF download)

Choose Hope quilt, 60 x 60”, free pattern by Hilary Bobker for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)


Hope quilt, ~62” square, free pattern by Wendy Sheppard for Windham Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)


 Ribbons of Hope mini quilt, 15” square, free pattern by Annis Clapp as seen at AMC-Quilts (CLICK for PDF download

Rose Garden quilt, 61 x 77", free pattern by Ariga Wilson for Robert Kaufman Fabrics (CLICK for PDF download)


Image credits: This post was updated on October 8, 2023.  Individual images are copyrighted by their owners. Please respect their generosity in sharing their free patterns, and the restrictions they have placed on the use of these designs; complete information can be found within the pattern and/or at the designers' websites provided in the links. The photo montage shown on this page is a derivative work that is the property of Quilt Inspiration. If any links are broken, we'd love to know so we can fix it. Please email us at QuiltInspiration {at} gmail {dot} com.

Thursday, October 14, 2021

Electronic Intrusion

In keeping with our Day of the Dead theme, we are featuring a quilt from artist Sandy Small Proudfoot.  Sandy hails from the town of Mono, in the province of Ontario, Canada. She taught quiltmaking in Toronto for 10 years, during which time she was accepted into the very selective Ontario Art and Design University, where she earned a diploma. Her quilts have been juried into worldwide Mancuso quilt shows. As you can see below, she has a wonderful sense of style and perspective. 

Many thanks to Sandy for her generosity in sharing her photos and descriptions with Quilt Inspiration!

Electronic Intrusion by Sandy Small Proudfoot ,Ontario, Canada. 

Long-arm machine quilted by Mary Light, Ontario, Canada


Sandy writes,  "Cell phones are both a blessing and a curse.  Distracted driving often ends up in fatalities and life-changing accidents.  This quilt, while addressing the subject in a somewhat  playful manner, speaks to the improper use of electronic devices. The portrayal of the pre-Columbian festival Dia de Los Muertos (Mexican Day of the Dead) finds a sugar-masked corpse hanging from a cross of cellphones.The depth on the skeleton’s shroud was attained through three dimensional placing of the cloth by softly folding the material vertically.  
 
Tiny cadavers dance mischievously amongst brightly coloured marigolds, the Flor de Muerton/Flowers of the Dead which decorate cemeteries at festival time.  Set against a lively print background depicting the vibrational energy emitted by cellphones, it is a reminder that distracted driving can end in tragedy." 
 
 She continues, " I work in the old fashioned way of applique, always, hand turning the edges, adjusting my curves with my needle.   I no longer press the individual patches given that the material used during the decade of the nineteen-seventies was a cotton-polyester broadcloth, (one hundred percent cotton was difficult to find during that period of time unfortunately) and because of the difficulty of working with this cloth, I used to press each patch with a hot steam iron, thus, without knowing, I was releasing the toxic material from my cloth into my respiratory system.  It has impacted on my health since that time.
(My website: https://sandysmallproudfoot.com contains an article on the Toxicity of Textiles)

 
Close-up, Electronic Intrusion, by Sandy Small Proudfoot
 

What a creative way to emphasize a very important message!  This design is extremely innovative and original, especially the way that the dark cross exemplifies the screen of a cell phone with its colored apps. Sandy has created an excellent sense of dimensionality, with the blue background which looks like the heavens lit from behind the sky, and the skeleton with its shroud looks very three-dimensional also.  We really like the brilliant use of contrasting colors to show the Flor de Muertos, or the marigolds at the base of the cross, with the dancing cadavers. 

Sandy's quilt really caught our eye, because of its color, symmetry, and design elements. The deep blue background fabric which represents the heavens looks as if it has been lighted from behind, which enhances the bright orange and green buttons of the cellphones.  We think her work is exceptional !

Sandy would also like to thank those quilt artists and designers who accepted her invitation to teach at the First Canadian Quilt Conference, which Virginia Avery later termed, a Symposium. Sandy says, " Without the impact of seeing the work of Jean Ray Laury, Beth and her then husband, Jeffery Gutcheon, Virginia and Michael James, I would not have been so inspired in realizing that a quilt was more than just two layers of cloth with batting in between, but that a quilt was also a form of art and design. It wasn’t something I’d related to before as I was a traditionalist in my teaching and making quilts. Jean, Jeffery and Virginia are honoured in the Quilters Hall of Fame now and although names that may not be familiar to quilters today, they were the forerunners of a very different style of design created on quilts during the early part of the nineteen-seventies and thereafter."

Image credits:  Images are shown with permission of Sandy Small Proudfoot.  All Rights Reserved.

Thursday, October 7, 2021

Day of the Dead in quilts

The Mexican holiday known as Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) is celebrated on October 31st, November 1st and 2nd. It overlaps with All Hallow's Eve (Halloween), the night before All Saints DayThe tradition honors those who have passed, whose souls are thought to come back to be with their loved ones. Here are some fun and colorful quilts that reflect the holidays!

~ P.S.  Check out our eBay shop for great bargains on books, magazines, and collectible items. For free quilt patterns, please visit us on Twitter

Catrina's Halloween by Michelle Howe (Irvine, California)


We were captivated by the gorgeous fringed and flower-bedecked hat worn by the skeleton, who is also holding a giant red peony.  This is a great example of broderie perse - a quilting style where flower motifs are cut from fabric and used as design elements. 

Michelle says that she fell in love with the "Catrina" quilts in the special display by Jane Tenorio-Coscarelli at the 2018 Road to California quilt show.  This is Michelle Howe's second "Catrina" quilt.  The colorful painted face was created using the face-painting techniques of Patt Blair.

The black and white background fabric, featuring bats and crows, provides a perfect haunted setting for "Catrina". The design elements, including skeleton parts, flowers, hat and dress were appliqued.  Many of the elements were edged with black blanket stitching, helping the pieces to stand out.

Emily by Jane Rua (Arizona)

Jane Rua made this fabulous quilt as a wedding gift for a great niece who loves skeletons and haunted houses. The piece was inspired by a quilt made by Jane Impey. In this delightful scene, a skeleton is enjoying a relaxing bath while shipping on a glass of wine.  Meanwhile, bugs rain from the shower head! 


In the closeup photos, spiders can be seen weaving webs on the wall above the bathtub (above).  A skeleton cat is having fun chasing after a huge spider (see the photo below)!


Save the Last Dance for Me by Nancy Arsenault (Tucson, Arizona)


This is the eleventh quilt in Nancy Arsenault's renowned Dia de los Muertos series!  Our photo does not do justice to this quilt, as the lighting was very uneven at this show. We hope you can appreciate the outstanding design nevertheless.

This original design was created in a workshop on mandalas.  Nancy says, "Everyone else was drawing beautiful flowers.  The more I drew, the less I liked it.  The teacher, Sharon Schamber, noted my frustration.  She said, Nancy... do what YOU do.  Then she walked away and I thought - does she mean SKELETONS?"

The center mandala features a ring of grinning skeleton heads with flower eyes.  They are surrounded by an outer ring of colorfully-dressed male and female dancers. The dancer shown below is elegant attired in a red dress with a striped Mexican shawl, with a cockatoo perched on her shoulder.


Image credits: Photos were taken at the 2020 Road to California show (Catrina's Halloween and Save The Last Dance for Me) and the 2020 Quilt Arizona show (Emily).