PIQF prides itself on bringing talented and inspiring instructors to present workshops in Santa Clara. Creativity and expertise are always abundantly available from these wonderful teachers. This year’s Pacific International Quilt Festival at the Santa Clara Convention Center, October 12-15, has a spectacular faculty who will be offering a wide variety of workshops for beginner to advanced quilters and textile artists. Included for 2017 are well-known instructors and internationally admired quilters Libs Elliott and Angela Madden.

LIBS ELLIOTT – CANADA
If you visit PIQF instructor Libs Elliott’s website, you will see the words TECHNOLOGY and TRADITION. Libs is a textile designer who combines technology with quilting. Using a program language called Processing allows her to create random compositions from simple geometric and traditional quilt block shapes. The Processing project began as collaboration with designer and technologist, Joshua Davis.

Libs states, “My goal is to underline the importance of craft as art in our contemporary age by producing bespoke modern heirlooms – just like quilts from a century ago, these are pieces that can be passed down through generations.”

As a quilter, Libs explores how modern technology can transform a traditional and tactile craft into modern functional art. A deep appreciation for craftsmanship, design history and future-focused applications are all reflected in her work. Libs studied Material Art & Design at OCAD University. Her commissions include work for individuals and corporate clients such as Playground Inc. In addition, Libs teaches internationally. She is a designer for Andover Fabrics and lives and works in Toronto, Canada.

Libs will teach three, full-day (9 am – 4 pm) workshops at PIQF:

Embrace the Chaos: An Exercise in Controlled Randomness
Thursday, October 12

Using controlled elements in a random way, each participant will end up with a unique quilt pattern layout that will then be cut from fabric and pieced.

Dynamic Stripes
Friday, October 13
Explore visually dynamic striped piecing and create a stunning and dynamic striped creation.

The Weight of Love Quilt
Saturday, October 14
Spend the day making The Weight of Love your very own by customizing it with your selection of fabrics.

In addition, on Friday afternoon Libs will present her lecture, Quilting with Code: The Quilts of Libs Elliott. In her presentation, she will discuss her ongoing exploration of how technology can transform a traditional craft into modern, functional art. She will give attendees a peek into how she works, what inspires her designs and where she finds balance.

ANGELA MADDEN – ENGLAND
Easy, fast, innovative machine techniques form the basis of 25 years of international teaching, judging, producing books, CDs, tools, patterns, and award winning quilts for Angela who lives about 25 miles north of London in Harpenden,Herts. Angela’s techniques are fun and successful for everyone with or without experience or artistic ability. There’s a designer original in everyone given the right technique!

The methods she has developed and shares in her workshops are guided by the following principles:

• My techniques should be accessible to everyone, no special skills are required.
• Projects can be completed on almost any sewing machine.
• The techniques are the fastest and most efficient I can find which guarantee success.
• Final results should stand scrutiny, reaching the highest possible standards.
• I believe that anyone can learn to design and sew original quilts if they have a positive outlook and are taught simple methods.
• There are no ‘brownie points’ in Heaven for doing things the hard way!

Angela’s quilting philosophy is “’If sewing isn’t successful and fun … why do it?”

While at PIQF, she will teach three, full-day (9 am – 4 pm) workshops:

Sew Easy Celtic
Thursday, October 12
Simply by drawing ‘doodles’ participants will create beautiful block, border and corner designs with so many surprising and hidden possibilities.

Decorative Edges
Friday, October 13
Explore lots of different ways of creating unusual borders suitable for all quilt styles.

Surprising Silhouettes
Saturday, October 14
Experience a great way to produce original appliqué designs using silhouettes which are easily adapted to any style of quilt.

Angela’s Thursday afternoon lecture is sure to strike a chord with many: Confessions of a 30 Year Quilting Addict. “My name is Angela Madden and I am definitely an addict. From unexpectedly being instantly smitten all those years ago to the present day I have happily fed my habit in every way possible. If there’s any chance you recognize the symptoms in yourself come and join me for a comprehensive look at the many wonderful temptations which have sustained me over the past 30+ years. Together, strengthened by this joint counselling session, we can actively fight a cure!”

Complete PIQF details are available on 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.

The Pacific International Quilt Festival
Announces the 2017
Quilt, Mod & Wearable Art Competitions

With over 800 quilts and works of wearable and textile art on display, it is no wonder that the Pacific International Quilt Festival, held October 12-15 in Santa Clara, California is As BIG, BOLD & BEAUTIFUL as ever. Included in the exhibits on display are the entries to the annual Quilt and Wearable Art Competitions as well as the newly added Modern Quilt Competition. These competitions highlight the talent and creativity of regional as well as national and international artists. As always, the entries to the competitions should not be missed!

As PIQF celebrates its twenty-sixth year, the 2017 Quilt Competition theme is Everyday – “Everyday is a quilting day! Everyday your creativity and skills grow. What do you see for your quilting in the ‘Everydays’ ahead?” Enjoy viewing the competition quilts while learning the artists’ answers to this question! Entrants to the quilt competition will compete for over $20,000 in awards and prizes. Pictured: Woven Journey by Claudia Pfeil, PIQF 2016 First Place-Innovative.

In addition and new for 2017, PIQF will also present the Mid-Century Mod Modern Quilt Competition. Entrants to this competition, who will compete for over $12,000 in awards and prizes, are asked to draw inspiration from the look and feel of mid-20^th century design: “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. Where did you find the inspiration for your Mid-Century Mod quilt?”

Also on display will be accepted entries in the juried and judged Wearable Art Competition. Artists enter their most stunning ensembles and articles of clothing competing for awards and other prizes totaling over $4,700 in value. You will be dazzled by the intricate detail and elegance of these garments. Pictured: Azulejos by Gilbert Muniz, PIQF 2016 Wearable Art Best of Show.

Event attendees can even be part of the judging by voting for their favorite quilt and wearable art entry to win the prestigious Viewers Choice Awards!

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.

“EVERYDAY” IS A QUILTING DAY
PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL QUILT FESTIVAL
SANTA CLARA CONVENTION CENTER
OCTOBER 12 – 15, 2017

 The Pacific International Quilt Festival returns to Santa Clara, CA October 12-15, 2017 with a spectacular collection of over 800 quilts and works of wearable and textile art. This highly anticipated quilt show, the largest on the west coast, is held at the Santa Clara Convention Center in the greater San Francisco Bay area.

As the Pacific International Quilt Festival celebrates 26 years, the 2017 Quilt Competition theme, Everyday, asks textile artists how Everday is a quilting day and what they see in their Everydays ahead. Entrants to the quilt competition will compete for over $20,000 in awards and prizes. Pictured: Reborn by Molly Hamilton-McNally, Winner of The BERNINA First Runner-up Award, PIQF 2016.

In addition, PIQF will also present the Mid-Century Mod Modern Quilt Competition. Entrants to this competition, who will compete for over $12,000 in awards and prizes, are asked to draw inspiration from the look and feel of mid-20^th century design.

The fashionable entries in the Wearable Art Competition will also be on display. The best entries from among these works will be awarded over $4,700 in awards and prizes.

In addition to the competition entries there will be Special Exhibits of quilts and textile art from around the world. Among them are the international entries and selected U.S. winning entries from the 2017 World Quilt Competition XXI: On Tour.

Not only does this incredible event feature astounding works of art, it also offers a wide array of workshops and lectures presented by a stellar line-up of national and international instructors teaching all levels of quilt, wearable and textile arts. The Festival’s 2017 faculty includes Libs Elliott – Canada, Angela Madden – England, Alex Anderson – CA, Frieda Anderson – IL, Gyleen X Fitzgerald – MD, Pat Harrison, RI, Marjan Kluepfel – CA, Sue Nickels – MI, Mark L Sherman – TN, David Sirota – NH, Meri Henriques Vahl – CA, Nancy Bavor (Appraisals) – CA, Anelie Belden – CA, Bobbie Bergquist – NH, Karen D Boutte – CA, Sue Pelland – MA, Fern Royce – CA, Joyce Teng – TX, Pat Yamin – NY, BERNINA Educator Debbi Lashbrook, and Baby Lock Educators Debbie Martinez and Aaron Hoskins.

New for PIQF in 2017 is the National Association of Certified Quilt Judges (NACQJ) Two Day Introduction to Judging Seminar. Presented by Pat Harrison (Rhode Island), the seminar is limited to just 12 participants.

In addition, PIQF hosts a 200-booth Merchants Mall with the best in fabrics (no quilter can have too much fabric!), notions, machines, wearable art and everything for the quilter, textile artist and home sewer.

Also offered at PIQF is the Quilters Adventure Tour. The Adventurers will visit the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles and the charming Monterey Bay town of Pacific Grove for shopping and lunch, plus the studios of renowned textile artists Rachel Clark and Nora Deans. Another perennial favorite among show-goers is the PIQF Fashion Show; For the Love of Color – 2017 will be presented Friday evening, October 13. This fun event is organized and moderated by Karen Boutte, Quilt Diva.

There’s so much to see and do at PIQF, it will take a long weekend in sunny Santa Clara to experience it all!  Many who travel in quilting circles will tell you this is an event not to be missed! Experience the magical combination of beautiful fabric and amazing quilting talent … all under one roof at the Pacific International Quilt Festival!

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.