Exhibits at Sew Expo

Last week at the Original Sewing and Quilt Expo in Fredericksburg, there were a number of quilt exhibits which to my mind were the highlight of the show.  They included traditional quilts, modern quilts, art quilts and challenges.  It's always interesting to see how quilters interpret a theme or concept. Here are some examples from each.

Quilt Remix is a series that aired on QNNtv.com beginning last January.  Host Kelly Bowser was given 12 traditional quilts to interpret in a new quilt in her own modern aesthetic.  On each episode, a guest quilter also made their own version.

Traditional version

Kelly's modern version

Another exhibit was called Template Tendencies which were made using Fons and Porter templates.  The two quilts below show different ways of using the same clamshell template.

Half clamshells form pinwheels

Traditional clamshells

Recycled Hexies was curated by Mary Kerr.  These pieces were made from re-purposed hexies, which could have been unfinished tops, pieced hexies, or damaged quilts, and are transformed into contemporary quilts.

Pieced by Mary Kerr, quilted by Kelly Kline

Pieced by Mary Kerr, quilted by Vicki Maloney

The Tampa Modern Quilt Guild presented Lemoynes and Lemons.  The challenge was to take the traditional Lemoyne star and interpret it in a modern way.  Here are 2 examples.

Pieced by guild members; quilted by Ann McKinney

Pieced and quilted by Ellen Ault

Cut Flowers is by the Mountain Laurel Quilt Guild - Bee Artful Fiber Group of Clarkesville, GA.  Participants each made a mini-quilt of a vase of flowers with prescribed guidelines.  Then, they were cut in quarters and in a blind drawing, each selected 3 other quarters to join to one of their own.  Looks like a successful challenge!

Old Glory is another exhibit curated by Mary Kerr.  Red, white and blue quilt tops were given to long arm quilters for finishing; all the quilters have a military connection.  These were created to promote the Quilts of Valor program.  After 18-24 months of traveling, the quilts will be auctioned off to support Quilts of Valor.

Quilted by Kris Vierra

Quilters Quilt the Blues was a 2016 challenge presented by a group of quilting magazines.  Quilters designed an original quilt using a bundle of pre-selected fabrics and could add only 3 fabrics of their own.  These are 2 of the prize winners.

Finger to the Blues by Marie Nelson is the third prize winner.

Out of the Blue by Terry Weiss is the grand prize winner.

The Uhuru Quilt Guild also had an exhibit.  Here is a favorite from that group.

Play a Little Blues is by Sandra Ealy

There was also an outstanding "Two By Twenty" exhibit by Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA).  Unfortunately, photos of those art quilts were not allowed, but you can view a slideshow of these quilts here.