My quilt guild is based in Watertown, Massachusetts, and as part of an outreach activity, in part supported by a small cultural grant from the town, we mounted an exhibit of quilts in the gallery space of the Watertown Public Library. The works are on display until November 30, and include student work from some the workshops taught by guild members as part of the grant programming. There is a lot of fiber art talent out there!
 |
Berry Blue, Karen Hohler.
|
The show's installers were guild members Karen Hohler and Athila Jarrah and a big "thank you" to them and to everyone who worked on this project. The quilts incorporated all sorts of techniques, including piecing, applique, machine quilting, hand quilting, embroidery and sashiko stitching. Some quilts also highlighted surface design methods such as block printing, fabric painting and fabric marbling.
 |
Physalis Alkekengi [lantern plant], Esta Lichtenstein.
|
The quilt above featured blocks Esta made with block printing. I love the driftwood hanging rod of the quilt below, by Tricia Deck.  |
Ladies Beach, Nantucket, Tricia Deck.
|
 |
Amish Diamond (detail), RoseMary Koch.
|
All kinds of quilting traditions were on display, such as the Amish style of quilt, above, and it seems no quilt show can lack a quilt made with delightful Kaffe Fassett fabrics, as below.
 |
Charming Chevrons, Missy Shay.
|
Amazing thread-painting - literally drawing on the surface of the fabric not with charcoal or pastel but thread - is shown in the portrait of two cats by Betsy Habich.
 |
Fredlet and Tommy, Betsy Habich.
|
 |
Fredlet and Tommy, detail.
|
While Betsy did her stitching with a sewing machine, hand work, inspired by Japanese and Indian traditions, delights as well. The two quilts below showcase sashiko stitchery, a centuries-old style of embroidery from Japan.
 |
Sashiko and Koi, Diana Bailey.
|
 |
On a Single Night, Carol Anne Grotrian.
|
Carol Anne's quilt, with gingko leaves both dyed and stitched, referenced plant lore that gingko trees "release" their leaves all at once. There's a bit more to it than that simple statement, but there's no question that fan-shaped gingko leaves are particularly appealing and have inspired many artists. Tricia Deck featured the leaves in her quilt too, below, in which closely-stitched areas alternate with un-stitched sections slightly lifted from the background fabric, creating a three-dimensional effect.
 |
The Gingko Leaf Beauty, detail, Tricia Deck.
|
Since my quilts rarely leave their storage bins, I leapt at the chance to contribute to the show. One of the best benefits of belonging to our guild, and to most guilds, is the opportunity to take workshops with some very talented fiber artists. The quilt below showcased squares of hand-painted which I completed in a Mickey Lawler workshop.
 |
On top - my quilt, Bright Skies.
|
Below, my quilt, Marble Triangles (bottom) share a rack with two Kantha-style wall quilts by Carol Anne Grotrian. (The right quilt is Six Blind Men and the Elephant, while the quilt on the left is Fables for Our Times: Six Blind Men.)
The fabric for the colorful triangles in my quilt was made in a fabric marbling workshop led by Elin Noble.  |
An eye-catching display.
|
It's very gratifying to see one's work in public and to be part of the community of quilters, which extends over time and space. Quilting is gaining ever more recognition in fine art venues.
I didn't have the patience to include all the quilts on display in my post - there are many more to see and enjoy.
 |
Another look at the exhibit.
|
