Courthouse Steps, c. 1870

The popularity of red and green quilts began in the mid-19th Century around the time period when the process of producing Turkey red prints was perfected. These charming prints appear in swatch books in England a few years before they were used in quiltmaking in America. 19th Century Turkey red and vegetable-dyed, two-step green fabrics were some of the most color-fast fabrics used in the creation of fancy appliqué quilts on white or cheddar grounds and an abundance of pieced quilts. This combination choice remained popular into the 1940s. The quilts exhibited here can be dated from 1850 to 21st century replications of World War I-era quilts.

By Heather Hopcraft

The challenge was to take inspiration from Diana, Princess of Wales, to create a unique quilt using a limited color palette: pink and white.

Quilters were encouraged to push themselves creatively, think outside the box, and create new fiber art. The contest was open to anyone and everyone.

All the quilts are the same color, fabric, size and theme, making the exhibit very cohesive and striking. Cherrywood fabrics in the official challenge bundle had to be used; accent colors were allowed. Quilt size is 20” x 20”. Any techniques or embellishments could be used.

Sponsored by

COLOR MY WHEEL by Barbara Harrell

The New Quilts from an Old Favorite contest and exhibition was created by The National Quilt Museum to pay tribute to our quiltmaking heritage, while celebrating the innovation, creativty, and excellence of today’s quilter. This contest and exhibition challenges quilt artists to interpet a single traditional quilt block in a work of their original design.

The contest requires all quilt entries to be recognizable in some way as a variation on 2020 selected traditional block, Wheel of Fortune. The quilts must be no larger than 80” and no smaller than 50” on a side, plus each entry must be quilted and submitted by the artist(s).

Stanza #16 by Kathy Cray, Ormond Beach, Florida. Quilted by Vicki Murchison Maloney.

2023 is the 200th Commemorative year of The Night Before Christmas. This yuletide poem has warmed the hearts of America’s children for 10 generations in the anticipation of the arrival of St. Nick. To celebrate, quilt historians, celebrities, and artists in the quilt world chose a stanza and interpreted those words in a 24” x 30” quilt. The 28 makers were challenged to include a miniature quilt somewhere within the larger quilt.

ISOLATION by Tina Sommer Paaske

The expression ‘Wide Horizons’ often evokes feelings of openness, exploration, experimentation, new work, new themes, new stories. But the words can also be interpreted as in-depth analysis of favorite subjects, seeing familiar things in a new light, pushing the boundaries of what we already do. Whatever the approach chosen, creativity rather than mere technical skill, and commitment to the art form, should be foremost. Artists were encouraged to submit work likely to spark a conversation on some aspect of the theme. Quilters from ten European countries made the quilts in this exhibit.

Tickled Pink by Susan Carlson

With these quilts Susan hopes to help the viewer see all creatures—great and small—with fresh eyes. Unlike those of a scientist, her specimens are not “lifelike.” A pink rhino, a polka dotted dodo, a much-larger-than-life-size golden toad: the liberties she took, the choices she made are intended to provoke a response. Typically, she hopes to invoke a sense of wonder.

In Fall of 2017, Wendy Brackman, an artist and quilter based in Arkville, NY, learned that the Pine Hill Community Center had received a large donation of silk men’s ties. Inspired by the variety of color and beautiful patterns, Wendy started a community project to keep hands busy during the long winter months in the Catskill Mountains. During the long winter of 2018, a dozen dedicated quilters washed, opened, and ironed hundreds of men’s ties for the purpose of cutting out hexagon shapes to create these mosaic story sculptures.

The Catskilled Crafters are: Wendy Brackman, Blythe Carey, Gail Freund, Karen Goertzel, Barbara Hagstrom, Hedi Kyle, Gail Lennstrom, Teddy Slater Margulies, Pamela Martin, Barbara Redfield, Berns Rothchild, Sharon Suess, and Ros Welchman.

AQS QuiltWeek – Spring Paducah 2019
Janome America Best of Show
MUTTONS & BUTTONS & PEARLS, OH MY! by Janet Stone

The international quilt contest sponsored by AQS presents quilts showcasing a wide variety of techniques that quiltmakers around the world are using today. Quilters will vie for $126,000 in cash awards, with the Best of Show receiving $20,000. Quilts range from traditional designs that everyone knows, like Lone Star and Log Cabin, to Modern and Art quilts that reach outside the box with new designs and techniques.