The Festival of Quilts

I know, I know! The Festival of Quilts in the UK was in August. And I was really thinking of not writing a post about it as it`s already eight weeks since this wonderful quilt show took place. But then – beautiful quilts are beautiful quilts! And as this year the quilts were better than ever (in my opinion) I decided to post the pictures nevertheless.

Today I will show you the winning quilts.

"My favourite Things" by Katy Whitby

Let's start with the BEST OF SHOW and the winner in the category PICTORIAL QUILTS.

MY FAVOURITE THINGS by Katy Whitby Last of the United Kingdom was a real show stopper. It took me quite some time to get close to it to take a picture because of the mass of  people surrounding it all the time. And in fact you could just stand and stare because of its beauty. The waterdrops on the leaves look so real you want to touch them.
Katy Whitby Last: “The quilt was inspired by the song in the musical ‘The Sound of Music’. My aim was to reproduce the picture with as much detail as possible, relying on changes in fabric colour rather than other techniques.”
The quilt is made of cotton and silk organza using fusible raw edge appliqué, needle turn appliqué and free motion quilting on a domestic sewing machine.

"Harvest Moon" by Laima Whitty

The winner of the CONTEMPORARY category was the quilt HARVEST MOON by Laima Whitty, USA. I especially liked the colors in this quilt. It’s an original design, machine pieced and free motion quilted. And as Laima Whitty wrote in the artist’s statement: “It was mathematically challenging”. I can immediately see why.

"And the Sky danced" by Jean McLean

AND THE SKY DANCED by Jean McLean of New Zealand was the winner of the ART QUILTS category. An intriguing quilt especially for me as ‘to see the Northern Lights’ is still on my bucket list. The quilt is raw edge appliquéd and made of commercial and hand dyed cotton and wool.

"Lost in Translation II" by Mary Palmer

In the category of MODERN QUILTS Mary Palmer of Ireland won with her quilt LOST IN TRANSLATION II. The artist’s statement: “Although we speak English in Ireland, it’s sometimes a different language altogether. Directions can sometimes be entertaining or confusing!”

"Strelitzia"  by Karen Callaghan

For some years now the Festival of Quilts has a special category FINE ART QUILTS MASTERS. This is an international juried competition with the highest standards in creativity as well as workmanship and as the show guide tells “shows the finest examples of art quilts with work that has powerful artistic expression with abstract and figurative elements”.The winner was STRELITZIA by Karen Callaghan of the United Kingdom.
Inspired by a leaf from her Strelitzia plant the artist used photograph manipulation, straight stitch, hand sewing, appliqué, hand painting and sponging and restricted herself to a limited color palette. Karen Callaghan says: “I wanted to make a piece of work with impact, and to create something that was unique.” And she certainly did.

"Give me the Time ..." by Mary Mayne

Each year the Quilter’s Guild of the British Isles organizes the QUILTER’S GUILD CHALLENGE premiering at the Festival of Quilts. This year’s winner was the quilt GIVE ME THE TIME … by Mary Mayne of England, a quilt that is surely speaking to every quilter. It’s machine pieced, hand appliquéd and hand and machine quilted. “Putting a quilt through the clock face gives you the Q for a quilt. All we need is time to work the magic with fabric and thread. Difficulties making this quilt came around every corner, but it was worth the effort.” says Mary Mayne.

"Circuit Training" by Philippa Naylor

I would not believe that it is possible to make this quilt if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes. CIRCUIT TRAINING by Philippa Naylor of Great Britian won the MINIATURES category. This quilt is 25 x 25 cm or 10 x 10 inches! It’s machine and hand pieced, hand appliquéd and machine quilted. Philippa Naylor’s statement: “Having tried my hand at both whole-cloth and appliqué miniature quilts over the last few years it was time to have a go at miniature piecing. My aim is to continue to experiment, and to continue to learn – whilst trying to achieve the best possible quality of workmanship I can manage!”

"Childhood Exhilaration" by Julie Brandon and Valerie Schultz

A quilt you could not walk by without smiling was Julie Brandon’s and Valerie Schultz’ (USA) quilt CHILDHOOD EXHILARATION which won the TWO PERSON QUILTS category. “Childhood Exhilaration grew out of a discussion about childhood vacations and summer breaks. Julie spent many summers and vacations at the New Jersey shore and in St. Maartens. Valerie spent her days on the shores of Honeoye lake in Honeoye, New York. Our fondest childhood memories come from being near lakes and oceans.”
The digital composition was created in Photoshop and printed on cotton fabric. The quilt is machine pieced, machine quilted and hand decorated with glass beads and sea shells.

"Global Harmin" by Susan Sami

GLOBAL HARMING by Susan Sami of the United Kingdom was the winner of the NOVICE CATEGORY.
I just looked up the rules for the novice category – entrants to this category should have been quilting for fewer than three years and should not hold a formal qualification in a textiles or related subject – as this quilt is so complex and interesting and contemporary that one can hardly believe it was made by a novice quilter. It is made with dyed fabric, screen printed, painted and hand stitched with waxed and linen thread. And I am especially impressed by all the thoughts that went into this quilt as the artist’s statement tells us: “The relentless wars and conflict around the world sees an increasing number of civilians fleeing the perils of war. As the numbers of refugees increase, so do the border fences and political barriers. Global harming … where fellow humans become an unwanted sea of faces behind fences.”

"Starburst" by Elizabeth Wife

And last but not least the winner of the VISITORS CHOICE. It came as no surprise as everybody was ah-ing and oh-ing over the quilt STARBURST by Elizabeth Wife of England. It’s a spectacular piece, vibrant with color and decorated with sparkling cristals. And it started as a miniature version for a quilt swap. As Elizabeth Wife was so pleased with the miniquilt she decided to go large. What a great idea of her and what a treat for us.

So far for the winning quilts of the Festival of Quilts. But of course there were a lot more and some of them I will show you in upcoming posts. So check back or subscribe so you don’t miss them.

If you want to see the second and third place winners as well then go to https://www.thefestivalofquilts.co.uk/winning-quilts-2017/.  Enjoy!