Quilts as Art

This Spring International Quilt Market recently inspired buyers, quilters, artisans and crafters at the Convention Center in Portland, Oregon. There were over 300 exhibitors creating the most colorful and pattern-filled show imaginable.

The area that is captivating for all creative designers is the juried exhibit of quilts from the annual show of the International Quilt Association. As they say in their promotional materials, “This is where the world’s quilters send their best work to compete.” I’ll second that!

The categories for the juried show include these quilts: abstract art; miniature art; naturescapes, people and portraits; whimsical, digital, embellished, innovative appliqué, and more.  All of the concepts designers work on for print, pattern and clothing design can be found at this show.

A few that caught my eye are Hollyhocks II by Joann Hoffman and Shirley Hobbs of Hill City, South Dakota; Tutti Frutti Village by Susan Bleiweiss of Upton, Massachusetts; and Down Pat by Pat Budge from Garden Valley, Idaho. Coincidentally these are all American quilters but the show included quilts from other countries, too, which showed how international this market really is.

In the Portrait and Digital category there was a black and white photograph from the 1960’s of the quilter’s mother that was enlarged, printed on fabric and quilted making a mod quilt. It was powerful from hundreds of feet away and fascinating up close.

The big Fall Quilt Market and Festival is in Houston each year. This year it runs from October 26^th through November 3^rd. Even if you are outside the world of quilting, try moving inside for the Houston Show. You will be amazed!