Monthly Archives: August 2017
Quiltfest Funnies
2017 World Quilt Competition Winners
orld Quilt New England
2017 WORLD QUILT COMPETITION
Manchester, New Hampshire
BEST OF WORLD:
#1006 Eye Remember by Maria Ferri Cousins & S.B. Walsh, USA
INNOVATIVE:
First Place:
#8007 The Egyptian Goose Family by Kathryn Harmer Fox, South Africa
Second Place:
#2017 Methylene Blue Mandalas by Katherine Jones, Australia
Third Place:
#7003 Summer Landscape – Tongariro National Park by Merrilyn George, New Zealand
Honorable Mentions:
#9007 A Kaleidoscope of Kimonos by the Exe Valley Contemporary Quilt Group, UK
#4020 A-Maze-ing Words by Petra van der Daele, Germany
#4015 Seasons by Claudia Scheja, Germany
Best Use of Color:
#2001 Carousel by Yvonne Chapman, Australia
Best Hand Workmanship:
#9023 The Winters’ Tail by Shakesmeer, UK (Marion Barlow, Janice Bebb, Jennifer Ellis, Dilys Fronks, Barbara Harrison, Sue Horder, Liz Pedley, Jackie Wigglesworth)
Best Machine Workmanship:
#7001 Good Vibrations by Ansa Breytenbach, New Zealand
TRADITIONAL:
First Place:
#9509 Nostalgia by Annelize Littlefair, UK
Second Place:
#1521 Fun and Fancy by Zena Thorpe, USA
Third Place:
#9507 50 Hearts for 50 Years by Jacquie Harvey, UK
Honorable Mentions:
#9512 Blue Cabin by Joy Salvage, UK
#2502 Flowering Star by Catherine Butterworth, Australia
#2501 Carnaby Street by Catherine Butterworth, Australia
Best Use of Color:
#9505 Simple Sampler by Jo Colwill & Jan Whitehouse, UK
Best Hand Workmanship:
#4505 Andesine by by Andrea Stracke, Germany
Best Machine Workmanship:
#2505 North Country Girl by Karen Terrens, Australia
*BEST OF COUNTRY AWARDS:
United States:
#1507 Esfahan by Megan Farkas
Australia:
#2009 Ornithology of Oz by Helen Godden
Canada:
#3007 Wabi Sabi Modern by Anna Hergert
Germany:
#4001 St Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna by Ursula Bierbaumer-Bohle
Israel:
#5008 In the Garden of Nuts by Tamar Rimon Hemeli
New Zealand:
#7502 Shimidsu-Sakuran by Anne Joule
South Africa:
#8015 The Blooming Mosaic by the Village Quilters Guild
United Kingdom:
#9513 Tartan Tattoo by Linzi Upton
*Not all countries were eligible for “Best of Country” awards.
VIEWER’S CHOICE:
To be announced on quiltfest.com.
Fiber Artist Vickie Clontz Found her Passion at a Young Age – Meet Her at PNQE
The Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza is thrilled to welcome Vickie Clontz back to the event, held September 14-17, 2017 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks (Valley Forge area), Pennsylvania. Clontz will be vending, teaching and moderating the two PNQE Fashion Shows: a show featuring her own works, Celebrating Art and Fashion on Thursday, and the Sew Batik Challenge Fashion Show on Saturday. Both fashion shows begin at 2:00 pm and are included with show admission.
When Vickie Clontz was five, her mother taught her how to sew. That simple mother-daughter activity has led Clontz to a life in fiber craft and art. Her mother stayed close by to supervise her young daughter on the sewing machine, but Clontz clearly had a natural ability and a passion for creating with fabric. Clontz eventually sewed her own clothes and started her own business. Annie’s Keepsakes sells patterns for simple-to-make crafts, from napkins and placemats to a menagerie of pincushions and other items.
Connections that Clontz made through the craft business introduced her to other fibers, and this led her to start creating felted wool art, including wet-felted flowers, scarves and clothing that incorporate other fabrics.
In 1990, Clontz started her pattern-making company. “I knew how to make patterns,” she said and “I’d always wanted my own company.” She started with dolls and accessories, then added a pincushion of the month that corresponded to a theme, such as a heart for February. “If you sew, you need a pin cushion,” Clontz said. “They’re decorative, too. All my patterns I market as quick and easy. I want people to be successful when they make my designs.”
Vickie next discovered wool fiber and that opened another opportunity. “I had to figure out what to do with it,” she said. She started needle felting: creating art by interlocking wool fibers on the felt, and she began “painting” with wool. “Felting is physical,” she said and described rolling felt and other fabrics together with 1-inch dowels on bubble wrap. “It’s easy — kids can do it,” she said. “That’s how I started with felting and fiber art.
Then she discovered wet felting using the same fiber but instead of using needles to connect the fiber, she used soap and water. All sorts of fiber can be incorporated, including wool, curly Angora and bamboo. “Bling can be added with sparkly Angelina. You can’t control it completely,” she said, and that creates new design opportunities. “This was like a whole other career to me. I became obsessed with it.”
Vickie’s knowledge of her art, attention to detail and interest in her students are what make her an excellent instructor. She strives for quality in her work, but also seems to thrive on the limitless possibilities of fibers. “I am totally immersed in teaching my students. I just want to encourage them to create and let their artistic energies out and have a good time and be pleased with the art they created.”
Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza XXIV
The Center of It All for Quilts, Wearable & Textile Art
September 14-17, 2017
Thursday, Friday & Saturday 10am – 6pm
Sunday 10am – 4pm
Greater Philadelphia Expo Center
100 Station Avenue, Oaks, PA 19456
Quiltfest Funnies
PNQE Competition Countdown
Quilt Entry Competition Deadline: August 14, 2017
There are just 4 days left to submit your entry to the 2016 Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza quilt competition, Not Fade Away: While the art of quilting continues to grow in popularity, it is also up to us to keep it growing and vibrant! How were the skills and love of quilting passed on to you? How will you pass it on so that this art form will Not Fade Away?
*Modern Quilt Theme Interpretation
Mid-Century Mod emphasizes the look and feel of mid-20th century design. Artists are asked to draw inspiration from this period, reflecting their own exposures or from the work of artists such as Joan Miro, Piet Mondrian, Victor Vasarely, Frank Stella, etc.
To enter, please click: Enter Online or Print an Entry Form. Jury results will be mailed to all entrants by August 24, 2016.
From the 2016 PNQE Competition:
Emma in the Looking Glass by Lenore Crawford
California Quilters Exhibit at PIQF
California Quilters Exhibit at the
Pacific International Quilt Festival XXVI
The Pacific International Quilt Festival, to be held at the Santa Clara Convention Center October 12-15, 2017, will have an amazing collection of special exhibits from around the country and even from overseas. However, again this year, guilds and groups from California are taking part in PIQF’s 26th Anniversary Celebration in the best way they know how – by creating quilts. The Pacific International Quilt Festival is proud to include these special exhibitions.
New Quilts of Northern California
This juried exhibit is an annual favorite at PIQF. View the work of Northern California’s most well-known and upcoming quilt makers. This amazing exhibition of recent works is presented by the Northern California Quilt Council and curated by NCQC Board members.
Crossings – Quilts on the Wall
Life is full of moments that suggest the concept of Crossings. Quilts on the Wall is presenting a juried exhibit with unique interpretations of the word Crossings.
Dyed in the Wool – San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles
While the majority of quilt makers favor cotton fabric for their creations, many makers also appreciate wool for its unique qualities and colors. Visit SJMQT’s exhibit and see some wool beauties.
Life’s a Challenge – Quilts by Gretchen Crozier
I struggled in school until I got my hands on fabric, then magic happened for me. The quilts I am showing in this exhibit were all made in response to various challenges.
Montana de Oro – Cutting Edge Fiber Arts Group
The Cutting Edge Fiber Arts Group includes 15 artists in the San Luis Obispo area. Our exhibit is inspired by “Montana de Oro,” which translates from Spanish to “mountains of gold.”
Present Moment – Fibervision
How many times do we begin a project with a clear idea of how it will turn out? The works in this Fibervision exhibit represent pieces that began with a clear vision, those that began with a general notion of what they would become, and those that began with no idea of the end result.
A Thread Runs Through It – SAQA Northern California/Northern Nevada
Innovative, evocative, punchy, beautiful – art quilts today always contain the fundamental elements – threads, just as our ancestors’ quilts did. But, the art quilt is a special amalgam of other materials, new techniques, and magical ideas. SAQA showcases examples from their regional members.
Urban Graffiti – Quilts on the Wall
QOTW presents a juried exhibition depicting the varied ways graffiti is part of our everyday lives in the 21st century.
Visual Color Challenge – Country Crossroads Quilters
This challenge asked members to look through a collection of images from old calendars and choose an image that was attractive to them. Fabrics that visually read like colors in the image were to be used to create a wall quilt.
Walk in the Park – Free Spirits Art Group
This exhibit, “Walk in the Park,” was created to honor the 100th birthday of San Diego’s elegant Balboa Park. Each artist has illustrated a well-known feature of the Park for you to enjoy. Curated by artist Susan Nikkel.
For complete Festival details, including workshop and lecture information, please visit www.quiltfest.com.
Founding Sponsor BERNINA of America/California Sewing & Vacuums; Major Annual Sponsor Brother/Meissner Sewing Centers; Major Sponsors Baby Lock/Gammill/ Meissner Sewing Centers, Husqvarna Viking/U.S. Sewing, and Janome/Ray’s Sewing Machine Center; Silver Sponsors Handi Quilter and Innova; and Special Exhibit Sponsor Nolting Manufacturing generously support the Pacific International Quilt Festival.
Quiltfest Funnies
Uncle David is Going West!
Meet PIQF Instructor David Sirota
Quilt Artist, Instructor, Lecturer
DAVID SIROTA
After David’s friend, Amy, taught him the basics of quilt making, he 
learned just about everything else he knows from watching Simply Quilts. He’s spent the past 15 years looking for the quickest and easiest way to complete a quilt … short of just buying one! As a result, he has developed the No More Tears© method of paper piecing. David has taught his workshops for several years now and it has changed the way his students paper piece … forever! He can’t imagine going back to the old way.
In the workshops, you’ll learn David’s revolutionary No More Tears© method that takes much less time than traditional paper piecing techniques. In addition, David’s method enables you to use your pattern over and over again. Best of all, you won’t have to spend hours tearing the paper off the back!
David’s mission is happy quilting! Learn his technique and kiss your tears good-bye.
Thursday, October 12
Storm at Sea – No More Tears Method©
Are you curious about paper piecing? Do you and paper piecing already have a love/hate relationship? Do you love the accuracy you achieve, but hate the process of getting there? Well, this class will change that to a LOVE relationship.
Friday, October 13
Chevron Star – Using the Sirota No More Tears Paper Piecing Method©
Who’s up for a bit of a challenge? Paper piecing can be a quilting brainteaser, right? Well if you love paper pieced projects but find the process somewhat “confusing,” then this class is for you.
Saturday, October 14
So Many Triangles, Sew Little Time – No More Tears Foundation Piecing Method©
David loves two color quilts, and his original So Many Triangles is perfect for two colors. If you’re anything like him, you love paper piecing because of the accuracy you can achieve, but it can be a very time consuming process. Well … not any more.
Lecture – Thursday, October 12
What Makes a Quilter Tick? A Humorous Look in the Mirror
Join David for a fun-filled, interactive, eye-opening look at quilters and all the little quirks, passions and obsessions you share. We’ll hold a mirror up to ourselves and see what others see when they look at us.
Founding Sponsor BERNINA of America/California Sewing & Vacuums; Major Annual Sponsor Brother/Meissner Sewing Centers; Major Sponsors Baby Lock/Gammill/ Meissner Sewing Centers, Husqvarna Viking/U.S. Sewing, and Janome/Ray’s Sewing Machine Center; Silver Sponsors Handi Quilter and Innova; and Special Exhibit Sponsor Nolting Manufacturing generously support the Pacific International Quilt Festival.
Mark Sherman – Unique Quilter & Informative Instructor @ PIQF
Pacific International Quilt Festival
October 12-15, 2017
The Pacific International Quilt Festival at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, California from October 12-15, 2017, features an impressive instructor line-up offering a variety of workshops and lectures. This year’s PIQF features well-known instructors including Mark Sherman from Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
MARK SHERMAN
Born and raised in San Diego, California. Mark began his quilting in 2001. His mother taught him how to sew and everything she had learned from Eleanor Burns about quilting. Since the beginning, Mark wanted to make his own quilts using his own style and concepts. As a result, he developed many unique quilting methods which he is now teaching to the quilting community.
Mark dyes his own fabrics and if you have the chance to see his work you will immediately notice his obsession with bright, rich and ReMARKable colors. His quilts have received many awards and are featured in numerous magazines and art exhibits.
His first stained glass quilt “Wisteria” was inspired by one of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s stained glass windows, and is now part of the Permanent Founder’s Collection of the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Kentucky. A lot of his work is inspired by nature and his love for Stained Glass, which he has been studying for a long time now.
Mark is doing what he loves the most: Traveling all around the world teaching and speaking. With a lot of projects, from traditional to contemporary, different techniques and designs, and a handful of ReMARKable tips, Mark is committed to spreading a message of encouragement and positivity. It doesn’t matter what type of quilter you are, he will take you to the next level of creativity by teaching you how to let the artist that lives inside yourself shine through.
Mark will teach three, full day (9am – 4pm) workshops at PIQF:
Thursday, October 12
Remarkable Stained Glass Quilt
What I discovered over the years is that hand dyed fabric and stained glass have so much in common. Beautiful colors, striations and mottling are present in both. This makes it so easy to create stained glass quilts using fabric.
Friday, October 13
Remarkable Hand Appliqué by Machine
Necessity being the mother of invention I came up with this method of applique and have used it ever since for all of my prize winning quilts. The stitches are perfect and the applique edges are turned. Open up your quilting world to making gorgeous, soft appliques with hidden stitches, all done by machine!
Saturday, October 14
Remarkable Machine Trapunto for the Timid Quilter
Just imagine turning your quilt into a 3-D piece of art. Quilting is the only art form that can do this from within. Whether you are a brand new quilter or someone who is experienced, this class is perfect for you. I take all of the fear out of quilting using an open toe walking foot and your own home sewing machine. No free motion quilting experience is necessary.
Founding Sponsor BERNINA of America/California Sewing & Vacuums; Major Annual Sponsor Brother/Meissner Sewing Centers; Major Sponsors Baby Lock/Gammill/ Meissner Sewing Centers, Husqvarna Viking/U.S. Sewing, and Janome/Ray’s Sewing Machine Center; Silver Sponsors Handi Quilter and Innova; and Special Exhibit Sponsor Nolting Manufacturing generously support the Pacific International Quilt Festival.