The River City Quilt Show-2014

The River City Quilters’ Guild show is usually the last one I get to each year. This year’s show seemed smaller but I thought it was one of their best. There seemed to be a lot more art quilts this year and yet still there were lots of great appliqued, pieced and bed quilts.

Toni wrote that she enjoyed the challenge of the 96 y-seams and matching all those stripes. The stripes and her color selections sure made for a bold graphic impact. I also liked the simple, modern quilting by Annette.

I really like Jaime’s use of color for visual impact. She made this from a pattern and then hand quilted it all except the borders.

Laurel used 2 colorways of fabric to create this piece with a real 60’s vibe. She pieced the curves and appliqued the ovals. Note the complex edges which are faced and her brilliant use of color across the quilt. Lin quilted it beautifully, letting Laurel’s piecing shine. There are a lot of details that make this a spectacular quilt.

Jan used her hand dyed fabrics in a log cabin style, then added stitches and beading for embellishment. The quilting was done by hand. She sure knows how to use color!

This year’s theme was “Celebration of Colors”. Nancy wrote that the theme reminded her of fireworks and parties which inspired her quilt. It was really well made and so happy!

Although she was inspired by a quilt made by Liza Prior Lucy, Jacquelynn decided to put her own spin on it. She used Kaffe Fassett prints and added some delightful details like hand dyed rick rack and offset circles.

Phyllis was the featured quilter and she had an impressive display of her work which spans from traditional to art, all with expert use of color and technique. She worked on this piece while touring South Africa and completed it when she got back. I love her use of color and her applique was beautiful.

Another Phyllis Leavitt McCalla piece. She used 24 colors and a Sylvia Einstein designed block. Perfect.

The crowd loved this quilt as did I. Cathy appliqued all the motifs and her choice of background and applique fabrics really make the piece.

Lori took a Carol Taylor class and used those techniques in her own way for Spinning Circles. The size, the colors and the way she used the circles were spot on in my view.

Deborah created this original quilt and envisions that his is how her dog Mandy sees her backyard. I thought it was whimsical and really well done.

Jan took a Sue Benner class at Asilomar and used that as her inspiration for this fused piece. I really like the setting and the way the neutral colors shimmer.

You have to love a Halloween quilt! Jaunice used a Pearl Pereira kit, made quite a few changes and did her magic with applique.

Exquisite.

This is only 18″ x 22″-those pieces are tiny! I thought this was adorable and I am amazed at the piecing.

Kari used techniques learned in a Jean Keenan Wells class to depict the high desert and its former inhabitants. Love this quilt-the colors, piecing, design and quilting worked so well together.

Denise made this for the “Things that are hidden” challenge. I saw this at PIQF and loved it but my photo was unusable. So I was delighted to see it again at the River City show. Denise is depicting determined roots seeking subterranean water during the drought.

Sheila celebrated her 30th wedding anniversary in Hawaii. She used her husband’s “retired” Hawaiian shirts as inspiration. There is a lot of texture and detail to draw you in.

This also was part of the “Things that are hidden” challenge. Helen used dyes, applique, inks and computer printing to create this unique piece. I think it’s always challenging to use many techniques in one piece and have it look unified.

I always look forward to seeing what Connie has done. She created this ensemble for PIQf using Aboriginal prints as the challenge. Connie pieced, embroidered, painted and also used thread painting on her coat. I couldn’t see the lining or the rest of the ensemble. I really like how she used the dots to move the eye around the coat and used a variety of values and fabrics in a unified design.

I hope you enjoyed your tour of the River City Quilters’ Guild Show-you’ll have to be sure to go next year!