Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Outstanding Art Quilts: The International Quilt Festival

Art quilting involves the use of both modern and traditional quilting techniques to create art objects, which are often displayed on the wall like paintings. These pieces are typically based on the maker's experiences, imagery, and ideas, rather than traditional quilt patterns.  Here are some outstanding art quilts from leading practitioners of the art.

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Heights by Maya Chaimovich (Israel)

Israeli quilt artist Maya Chaimovich, who has exhibited in Quilt National, was first a woodworker and jeweler before she discovered fiber art and her passion for contemporary quilt art. This gorgeous collage-style piece features many different bright colors and contrasts. Her free-motion machine quilting recalls the contouring of topographic maps.

Deluge by Libby Lehman

Libby Lehman’s quilts are outstanding examples of contemporary artistry and original. Over the decades, she was recognized internationally for her intricate quilts and trend-setting techniques. Deluge is a three-piece whole cloth top. Machine appliqued shapes were added, which meander across the surface, creating movement and transparency.  Deluge is further embellished with yarn and thread.

Aquarium #1 - Fish Tails by Caryl Bryer Fallert-Gentry

Hand dyed and painted, with all the curves machine pieced, Aquarium #1 is one of Caryl Bryer Fallert’s enlarged semi-abstract studies of natural forms. She intertwines organic shapes, changing tonal values in the colors to bring bright elements forward and pull darker motifs into the background. This artist’s expertise in both design and stitching have won her numerous Best of Show awards and other honors. 


 Lichenometry by Betty Busby

In science, “lichenometry” is a technique that uses lichen growth to determine the age of exposed rock. The beauty of these living organisms is depicted in this stunning piece of the same name by Betty Busby. She is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, where she majored in ceramics. She then founded a ceramic tile manufacturing studio and ran it for 18 years before moving to New Mexico. She has been working full-time making fiber art and teaching since 2003.


 Matchstick Moons #3 by Melody Johnson

A member of the Chicago School of Fusing self-named group of artists, Melody Johnson is best known for her powerful use of color in abstract design. Matchstick Moons #3 perfectly balances line and shape within a dynamic multi-colored surface.


Image credit:  Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2022 International Quilt Festival in Salt Lake City, Utah. Lichenometry is from the Frank Klein Collection.  All other quilts shown here are from the International Quilt Festival Collection.




Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Yukiko Hirano Baltimore Album quilts

When the incredibly talented Japanese quilter, Yukiko Hirano, passed away in 2010, her husband Takeo Hirano wanted to make sure that her work lived on for others to enjoy.  These four incredible Baltimore Album quilts were on display together in a setting Mrs. Hirano would find fitting and complimentary for her exquisite work. 

p.s. Check out our E-Bay shop for great bargains on quilt patterns and collectible items. For continuous free quilt patterns, please visit us on Twitter

Baltimore Album Quilt II by Yukiko Hirano


Mrs. Hirano was inspired by Baltimore Album quilts and couldn't resist making her own.  She mastered the art of applique, as well as the art of color placement, as exemplified in these quilts.   

Baltimore Album Quilt I by Yukiko Hirano

The precise hand quilting was done with thousands of tiny stitches in a grid pattern. The appliqued leaves and flowers were done with a trapunto effect.

 

Baltimore Album Quilt III by Yukiko Hirano

 

Many of the elaborate applique blocks in these four quilts were inspired by the books about Baltimore Album quilts written by Elly Sienkiewicz. 

Baltimore Album Quilt IV by Yukiko Hirano

This stunning quilt won Mrs. Hirano the coveted Founders Award at the 2005 IQA Judged Show.  It was the first time she had entered her work in an international competition. This is an excellent example of how well Mrs. Hirano knew her subject matter: applique and the Baltimore Album style. The pale hues and floral border give this quilt a springlike feeling.


Image credits: Photo were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2022 International Quilt show in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Monday, April 10, 2023

Free pattern day! Mother's Day Quilts

Mother's Day is just around the corner.  We're showing some fabulous FREE patterns for quilts, mug rugs,  fabric cards, and fabric flowers! Note:  This post has been UPDATED.  For the latest patterns, please check out our updated Free Pattern Day for Mother's Day Quilts (CLICK HERE!)

p.s. Check out our E-Bay shop for great bargains on beautiful jewelry, patterns and collectible items. For continuous free quilt patterns, please visit us on Twitter !

Image credits: This post was updated on April 6, 2025. 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.

Friday, April 7, 2023

Faith, Hope and Love at Easter

On Easter, many of us take the time to reflect on the promise of hope and new life in the Easter story. Here is a luminous stained glass quilt with a beautiful message of Faith, Hope and Love.

Rays of Hope - Stained Glass version by Carolyn Morris


This quilt was exhibited at the 2013 Arizona Quilters' Guild show and shown on Q.I. that year. Carolyn Morris says: "Using gradation batiks, each section was cut individually, ironed in place, and quilted with irregular satin stitches.  The trapunto cross was machine embroidered and then appliqued to the front." 

You can find the pattern at Rays of Hope Quilts at Etsy and see Carolyn explain the full story on YouTube.

The design came to Carolyn Morris on Easter, 2011, in response to her own prayer. Carolyn says: "My life is dedicated to serving others. For many years that involved my three children and their training. Now that they have children of their own, I use the talents that I have to enrich the lives of others. Many of the quilts I make are small 15" squares with embroidery messages or scriptures on them. I give many away to those in need of prayers."

Image credit:  The photo was taken by Quilt Inspiration.

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