Micro quilting and other techniques in miniature at World Quilts New England

When we went to the quilt show in Manchester last Friday, we noticed a wide variety of techniques used by the many quilters from around the world. There were techniques to create the fabric itself such as hand dyed fabrics and even a good number which highlighted hand printed fabrics, stamped as well as screened.  There were many techniques in the quilting from the big stitch to micro-quilting to whole cloth quilts that looked pieced because of the thread choices creating areas which appeared pieced, quilts with dimensions from techniques such as felting as well as trapunto, origami, embroidery, and other fabric manipulations.  The thread painting on some of the quilts was just stunning too.  Of special note where the quilts which used micro techniques from the tiniest applique to the tiniest of machine stitching, they were all done in spectacular ways.

This quilt depicts the four sisters in the Louisa May Alcott book, Little Women, created by Chieko Shiraishi of Japan.  She has titled it "To the Bright Future" because it depicts when the "sisters climb up the hill and talk about the future".  It hangs 77" across and 55" down. 

The details are stunning in this quilt.  It has great perspective in the landscape and the tiniest applique in the background.  Around the border are lovely crocheted flowers on top of patched neutrals which create a frame for the scene.

African Sunset by Claire Wallace was a lovely quilt due to the stunning machine quilt work.  Claire is inspired by the wire baskets woven by the Ndebele and even incorporated the shapes of the South African flag in her quilting.

Some of the quilts were whole cloth, painted and then quilted pieces.  These two, by Kimberly Lacy, used a metallic paint while still maintaining a subtle look.  Each of the painted ovals are between 1/4 and 1/2 inch wide.

Anabeth Dollins of Pittsburgh, PA made a quilt called "Halo Star" which incorporates very small pieces to make the star shapes.

She also added cross stitching patterns from her Slovak background at the borders.

The quilt below is 66 inches on each of the four sides and is also made from very small pieces.  It is by Joy Salvage of the United Kingdom. The title is "Union Jack Meets Log Cabin".

Look at the tiny 1/4 inch finished strips in this quilt.  You can tell from the 8.5 by 11 inch paper hanging next to it that the pieces are quite small.