Detail, 'Hawaii Sunset-1845'
***Post edited to add quilt credits.
The International Quilt Festival/Chicago was held the first weekend of Molly's visit. Although we had other plans in the afternoon, it was close enough to sneak out early Saturday morning and spend several hours at the show. I wasn't sure if Molly would want to join me, but when she heard that Carolyn, Ms.GirlReaction herself, would be meeting us, there was no question about it. Since we got an early start, we were there when the doors opened which put us in (in my opinion) the very best exhibit in the show...alone! I immediately started snapping photos before more viewers would obscure the shots, and in my frenzy, somehow neglected to note the makers' names on each piece.
The exhibit was a collection of reproduction quilts made by a block exchange group in Texas called the 19th Century Patchwork Divas. I did a little internet poking around and was able to come up with this article about them, ironically tucked away on the festival site. Because I consciously try to avoid using the perfectly wonderful but chronically over-used words *amazing* and *awesome* anymore, let's call these quilts exquisite. Absolutely exquisite.
Now my dilemma. Show rules allow posting of quilt photos only with recognition of makers. Hmmm. These gorgeous quilts deserve a wide audience so I'm taking a leap here. I'm posting a few of my favorites and asking anyone who has individual identification info to please email me or leave it in the comments so that I can update the photo captions and give proper recognition.
'Hawaii Sunset-1845', Linda Wilkey. Quilted by Dana Goyer.
'Blind Man's Fancy', Mary Freeman
'Triple 4 Patch', Marilyn Mowry
Detail, 'Triple 4 Patch'
'Pinwheels', Carol Staehle
'Nine Patch and Diagonal Cross', Wanda Hetrick
'Nine Patch Pinwheels', Deb Otto
'Nickels From The Past', Fawn Crossland
Detail, 'Nickels From The Past'
Looking at these up close, it's difficult to believe that the blocks were made by a large group. There must be quite the vetting process to become a member of the Divas. I love reproduction quilts and this collection (of which my photos are a small sampling) really got the juices flowing to dig into my fabric and start something new...that looks like something old.
Antique red and green applique, maker unknown
How about this one, Kathie? *Swoon* And if all of these were not enough, while browsing the vendors' space (more like galloping through on a horse...we only had 3 hours at the show), I was stopped dead in my tracks by what looked like...could it be?...my favorite quilt from this book! Remember? I wrote about it here.
Picture me, scooching down, making a fuss over the quilt, not realizing (a brief *duh* moment) that it was serving as the table cover for a book signing and sitting right there, a foot away from me, was Biz Storms. Mary Elizabeth Kinch, her co-author, popped in as we were chatting about the book. And blogging. And antique quilts. I tell you, I had a hard time restraining myself around that quilt. In fact, it probably wouldn't be difficult to picture Molly, standing to the side, rolling her eyes a little at me.
I'm really hoping that someone will come through with the Divas' individual names so I won't be asked to cease and desist. To remove the photos. Causing you to have to picture them, from memory.
# 1 is Hawaii Sunset, Linda Wilkey, quilted by Dana Goyer.
# 2 is Blind Man's Fancy, Mary Freeman
#4 is Pinwheels, Carol Stachle
Kathie should be able to help with the others. Thanks for showing them, especially the pink and yellow, no wonder you were drooling!
Posted by: Janet | May 13, 2009 at 07:45 PM
OH don't worry I will send your blog addy to my friend who is a Diva, one of the founders and she will let me know all the other names of the quilt makers for you!
Kathie
Posted by: kathie | May 13, 2009 at 07:58 PM
The fuschia and puce is a FABULOUS color combo in all those little half square triangles.
Posted by: Kristin L | May 13, 2009 at 08:21 PM
Thank you for sharing the pictures. The quilts really are exquisite. And I'm really digging the half-square triangle quilt. Sounds like you had a really good time.
Posted by: Magnolia Bay Quilts | May 13, 2009 at 08:38 PM
Exquisite is absolutely the most appropriate word to use! I am in love with all of them! Yes, someone please identify these quilts so we can continue to gaze upon them.
Posted by: Anita | May 13, 2009 at 09:39 PM
Ooh, they're all so beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Sam | May 13, 2009 at 10:04 PM
Those are great photos. I love the colors in the first photo.
Posted by: Cindra | May 13, 2009 at 10:25 PM
AMAZING quilts! Thanks for posting these.
Posted by: Diana | May 13, 2009 at 10:42 PM
I am in 100% agreement that those quilts are exquisite!! Thank you for sharing those images. Two reasons they speak to me are the movement created by diagonal lines, flying geese, cornerstones, X patterns, etc. and because those quilts have SO many pieces! I am absorbed in Mary and Biz's book on almost a daily basis, and it would be such a treat to meet them. We have written to each other many times, and perhaps I will see them at a Tokyo Dome quilt show one year!
Posted by: Jennifer | May 13, 2009 at 11:58 PM
Back to comment again. :-) Quilt number seven is stunning! I enlarged the photo of the whole quilt and those fabrics and block pattern are really speaking to me.
Posted by: Jennifer | May 14, 2009 at 12:04 AM
The photos are beautiful and the quilts ARE exquisite. I especially like #2 and #3.
Posted by: Carole | May 14, 2009 at 06:45 AM
A. Now I have to get that book.
B. Love the quilt #1 - that blue & green sashing, swoon!
C. #7 - personal UFO
D. #3 (Probably in different fabrics) has been on my to do list FOREVER!
Posted by: Amy | May 14, 2009 at 07:31 AM
i'm pretty sure i have the info on #5 at home - i'll email you tonight
Posted by: carolyn | May 14, 2009 at 07:44 AM
those are gorgeous, exquisite, beautiful, fabulous quilts. I can't believe you only had three hours for the show! eeeek.
Posted by: Lazy Gal Tonya R | May 14, 2009 at 08:01 AM
I knew I could count on you for splendid photos of exceptional quilts. They have what I call the OMG factor. That's when words fail me and all I can utter is a prolonged "Oh my God!" It drives my husband nuts (plenty of eye rolling on his part). Piecemakers have probably told you that some of us know Biz and Mary Elizabeth from Gwen's Beaver Island retreats. Nice gals! I haven't bought the book because I no longer do itty-bitty piecing, but I've heard it is fabulous.
Posted by: diane | May 14, 2009 at 08:34 AM
Thank you for the mini quilt show! #7 is Paducah Nine Patch from Nickel Quilts. I made one 2 years ago - LOVE IT!!!
Posted by: Pat | May 14, 2009 at 10:04 AM
I've seen a few of the pictures on others blogs too! They are spectacular! I think what gives them so much pizzazz is the liberal use of the popping WOW colors of bright blue, chrome yellows, cheddar's, poison greens, and turkey reds! Some repros can mute down if you don't add the bright shocking ones too!
I have enough Paducah 9 patches to make my quilt from a swap, and I did a 4 patch Blind Man's fancy, but you are giving my swap group some very good ideas!!
Posted by: JudyC | May 14, 2009 at 12:27 PM
You lucky thing! Getting to see all these stunning quilts up close! Thank you for sharing. I gather from the comments that you will have credits for all of them shortly so you should be safe from the quilt-posting-on-the-internet-police ;-)
(I agree wholeheartedly, though: one should always give credit to somebody elses work - but it is great when one can stitch that information together in the virtual quiltig bee online, isn't it?)
Posted by: mathea | May 14, 2009 at 02:31 PM
number 7 is gorgeous!
http://zhangshaoyuanart.moonfruit.com
Posted by: syz | May 15, 2009 at 05:55 AM
YES!!! THAT was the specific exhibit I "warned" you about!!!!!!!!!..Love that old applique too...you got some great shots.. Did you get to sample the twist cone?;)
Posted by: Schnoobie | May 16, 2009 at 04:02 PM
Oh my. OH MY. After spending a long weekend away with quilty friends, most of whom sit firmly in the traditional quilting camp, I felt very immersed in all things antique-y. And seeing these just makes me want to hide in my sewing room and churn out the half-square triangles. Little teeny ones. Bliss....
Posted by: KathieB | May 18, 2009 at 09:04 PM
What a wonderful exhibit! Thank you for sharing your photos.
Posted by: Jeanne | May 19, 2009 at 02:22 PM
Lindos trabalhos!
Posted by: HELOÍSA BASTOS | May 23, 2009 at 10:04 PM
one inch squares ... wow. I've done 1.5 inch ones though with the Marsha McCloskey bias square method and they work well.
I HAVE to get this pesky "taking care of the house" issue down sometime so I can get my sewing machine out -- the machine even went for a tuneup and came back ... a month ago. sigh.
My dream: ocean waves -- maybe this fall?
Posted by: Maryjo | June 02, 2009 at 07:42 PM