The annual Quilt Arizona show is a highlight of spring! Here are some highlights of this year's show (part one of 4)!
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Zerschmettert (1), made and quilted by Victoria Nelson
Winner of the Exemplary Hand Quilting award, and 1st Place in the Art - Abstract category, Victoria Nelson says: "I started Zerschmettert (Shattered) in a workshop with Maria Shell. "Working from my own photo, I created a simplified composition, drafted shapes for the major areas and improvisationally pieced each area of the quilt. Largely hand quilted after machine stitching to stabilize the main sections."
Pedal Power and Petal Pushers, made and quilted by Patricia Charity
Winner of Best of Show - Solo and 1st Place in the
Pictorial-Medium category, this art quilt was inspired by Patricia
Charity's photo of a quiet street in Syracuse, Sicily. This quilt
captures the charm of everyday life - the ever-present Italian bicycle
leaning against a stone wall, backpacks, and sunlit textures. She layered
fabrics to evoke the time-worn beauty and warmth of Mediterranean
light and color.
Color Wheel Cha Cha by Kathi Shunn, quilted by B'nae Pulve.
This stunning English paper pieced quilt is based on the Dresden Dance Party pattern by Sami Casanova for Darty Kite Pattern Co. Kathi Shunn says, "While creating a version of my company's Dresden Dance Party pattern, I was inspired to explore the color wheel. I love playing with color,
fussy cutting, and whimsical motifs, using saturated hues and circular
movement to celebrate color theory through rhythm, repetition, and joy."
Winner of a 3rd Place ribbon in its category (Pieced - Duet - Medium).
Tucker, made and quilted by Leilani Purvis
Such a clever quilt! Winner of 1st Place in the Pictorial - Small category, and Award of Merit
from the NACQJ, Leilani Purvis based this original quilt on a photo of
her grandpuppy, Tucker. "He has brightened our family for eight years.
The gear-patterned background honors our maintain-biking daughter.
This quilt is a tribute to his love, energy, and companionship." Leafy
fabric was used to represent Tucker's furry ears.
Here's the original photo that inspired this wonderful quilt:
Image credits: Photos were taken by Quilt Inspiration at the 2026 Quilt Arizona show.
