Houston Quilt Festival 2015-Part 3-The Quilts
I’ve got more quilts for you from the Houston show. I will be posting just the quilt and its maker except this first one. What a story:
This quilt is jaw dropping in person. But the story of the quilt and its maker is even more amazing. This is Angela’s first quilt! Her husband travels a lot for work and they do not have children yet, so Angela was looking for something fun to do. She decided, hm, quilting would be fun.
So she bought a small Janome to start with. She thought she would start out with the square-in-square blocks. She kept on making all these tiny little blocks, all with commercial fabrics, but did not have a plan for them. She just kept making them until she had something like 600.
At that point she decided she needed to figure out how to put them into a quilt. She designed this quilt, complete with that amazing center which was inspired by a Diamond Log Cabin by Cindi Edgerton and the basket blocks that were paper pieced based on a Carol Doak book. Now keep in mind, although her Mom quilts casually, Angela did not have anyone who taught her-she just figured this out. Once she got the top together, she read up on how to sandwich it and get it ready to quilt. At that point her Mom stepped in and said she needed a more advanced machine, a Janome 8900. After taking a class from Paula Reid, she up and quilted this amazing quilt!
When I talked with her at show, she was just so golly-gee-aw-shucks about the making of the quilt, but she also mentioned that she had barely slept for days after she heard the news that she had won First Place in Traditional Pieced Quilts in the Houston show! Her Mom was there, in the background, confirming all that Angela said. And here’s an interesting bit of information: Angela has limited depth perception. To compensate she had to get really good at reading the value of colors so that she could judge distance. Ya think she might be good at judging value from this quilt? I’ll be looking for more beauty from this amazing young woman.
Now, more quilts:
Descended from the Stars; Sarah Ann Smith; Image by Sarah Ann Smith
I had to include this photo:
Setting up for the Friday Sampler-Combining Free Motion Motifs
When I walked into the room for the Friday Sampler and saw the red walls, I thought oh no, this is going to be tricky. After I got all set up I loved the way my quilts popped on that wall! I am not the best at staging my work yet, but this is one case where I think I staged it well.
I’ve got one more post on Houston-I just couldn’t fit them all in here. I’ll be adding my link to Nina Marie’s Off the Wall Friday so be sure to check out her other links for more great art and quilts.
I love your staging. I have a red room in my house (I call it dark coral :) ) Now I want to put more quilts on the walls!
Thanks for the show after the show! Some I saw, others I didn’t, and a couple have got my creative juices going!
Yes I was shocked at how they popped on that red! And I know I did not see all of the quilts-you always miss some.
thanks for posting photos from the exhibits Jenny, I never have a chance to see all the quilts when I’m teaching, so it’s nice to see some of the ones I missed.
I actually got to see some quilts this year so that was a bonus! Glad you enjoyed them-more to come.
Thanks for Eileen Williams’ quilt, we are life-long friends, K-12, she went in the Navy, I went in the Marine Corps, we both married Marine Lieutenants from Alabama. We both had sons, we both make quilts, she is an art quilter, I make traditional quilts. I did not get to see this at the show so thanks!
Thank you for letting me know that story-how cool is that? It was a really cool quilt and a nice story behind it. I love stories like the two of you-somewhat parallel lives in different areas.
I’m so glad that you shared Angela’s inspiring story! Wow! And thanks for sharing some very wonderful quilts! It is too difficult for me to choose a favorite; so many techniques and talents!
Angela’s story is so encouraging and real-glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for sharing my quilt. I did want to let you know that all of the piecing was done on a Janome 3160 and the quilting was done on the Janome 8900.
I began with hand applique, which was taking entirely too long, so after a fateful winning night at the casino, I bought my first sewing machine and started on my little square on squares first.
The concept of a Lone Star made of Log Cabins was inspired by a Diamond Log Cabin by Cindi Edgerton. The basket blocks are by Carol Doak from her book Easy Machine Paper Piecing. I also took classes with Paula Reid to learn free motion quilting.
And although my depth perception is diminished, it is not completely gone.
Thank you so much for reading and replying. So sorry about some of the omissions and incorrect information. I have corrected my post to reflect that. I am in awe of your quilt!
Thanks for posting all these quilts. Since I couldn’t make it to Houston this year, I really enjoyed seeing some of the other quilts in the show. They’re fantastic! Looking forward to your next post.
Eileen
I am glad you enjoyed the Eileen-hope you make it next year!
Amazing artistry!
You must go sometime Marcia!
I saw Angela’s stunning quilt at MQX in Salt Lake City. She has set the bar high with this. Eing her first quilt. Pictures don’t do it service. Thanks for the story.
It is a jaw dropper and my photo does not do it justice.
Love revisiting all these quilts, Jenny. And, hearing more of Angela’s story. Houston is a really amazing experience.
Wish I could have had some time with you Judy-next time!
Thanks for sharing. Quilt show quilts leave me breathless and these are no exception. I wouldn’t want to be the judge to decide the best. All of the “picture art” quilts I call them are just incredible.
It is amazing to be surrounded by such beauty-glad you enjoyed the post!
all that and a cow too??? Awesome
Loved the cow-my midwestern upbringing coming out I guess!
WOW! Just WOW. The variety of talent, techniques, ideas – oh my! Thank you for sharing
You’re welcome-glad you enjoyed it Carol!
That first quilt was just amazing. I’m so very happy for her and for us who get to see her work. I certainly hope she continues as I’m also looking forward to seeing more of her work.
I also loved white holes.
It is amazing to see that much talent in one place. The White Holes maker is a gentleman from Spain-hope to see more of him also.
Many thanks ladies. I thoroughly enjoyed my first Houston and certainly hope to be back though I fear it is unlikely that I will ever get lucky enough to grace the podium again ! If you would like to see the very few other quilts I have made in the 6 years since my addiction began you might like to look at http://www.accidentalquilter.com
It was an amazing quilt Peter! There was nothing else like it. I hope to see your work again at Houston!