I am not long back from Quilt Market and Festival in Houston, Texas. What a wonderful time I had and it was thrilling to see some Australian quilts on show there. Here are some for your viewing pleasure.
The quilt below is 'Baltimore Classic' by Rhonda Pearce of Glenbrook, NSW. It is inspired by an antique quilt in the American Museum, Bath, England. Rhonda's quilt is an exquisite example of needletun applique.
Also on show was a quilt by Jennifer (Jenny) Bowker from Garran ACT, her quilt depicted Margaret Rolfe OM. Using piecing and raw edge applique techniques, it is a stunning quilt as expected by a quilt maker of Jenny's calibre. The quilt received an Honorable Mention award in its category (Art-People, Portraits and Figures Category) congratulations Jenny.
I was especially excited to see an Australian quiltmaker awarded the 'Founders Award'. Two quilts were awarded with the honour this year as it was too difficult to separate the two final outstanding quilts.
Below is Margo Hardie's interpretation of the Gorusch Family Quilt c1800. Margo is from Lake Haven NSW. Congratulations Margo, this is an outstanding achievement and a very beautiful quilt.
Also hanging in Houston was a quilt by Linda Steele of Melbourne Vic. I don't know why I didn't get a photo, I remember noticing it and being very pleased to see it. However, on checking through all my assorted photo taking devices there is not a pic anywhere. Congratulations Linda, it looked great and it's always wonderful to see Australian quiltmakers honored by having their quilts hanging at the International venues.
I hope I haven't forgotten any Aussies...I had a very good look around the exhibition hall, however it is 'massive' and difficult to get to all nooks and crannies.
For one final piece of Aussie eye quilt candy take a look at this. This is actually an American quilt-maker, Vicki Bohnhoff from Amthem, Arizona, USA, but you don't get much more Australian than this.
Vicki's quilt uses Aboriginal design fabrics and 3/4" English paper peicing hexagons. 4,125 hexagons were needed to make the quilt. Wow. A first prize in the 'Traditional Pieced Category was awarded, congratulations Vicki.
As soon as I have sorted some more photo's I will bring you some more pics of great applique quilts on display in Houston. I enjoyed seeing all quilt styles on show and meeting some of the quilt makers. I especially want to show you the quilt and maker that shared the 'Founders Award' with Margo Hardie so stay tuned for that.
Til soon everybody,
happy stitching
Margaret
Thanks Margaret for your piece on my kangaroo hexagon quilt. Actually my daughter was born in Canberra, Australia when we lived there for two and a half years. I have a great fondness for your country which is why Roo Garden was so much fun to make. So many great quilters are from Australia. I actually started Roo when I was visiting my Tazzie quilter friend Wendy. Vicki
One Day I am going to get there. Thankyou so much for showing some of the highlights. I
have seen Jenny Bowkers up close and it is a magnificent quilt Would love to see both of the applique quilts up close. It is always fascinating to see what fabrics are used, the different applications and the wonderful block detail.
Cheers Lynne