Reflections on QuiltCon 2013: Quilts and Other Inspirations (Part 1)
Texas, made by Dana Michaelson, quilted by Angela Walters; seen @ QuiltCon 2013.
It’s been two weeks since I’ve returned from Texas, and I feel as if I’m finally beginning to digest all that I experienced at QuiltCon 2013. In short: FAB-U-LOUS! Not only were there lots of terrific quilts (and way-too-tempting vendors), but the host city of Austin was loaded with inspiration. I came home with so much good stuff to share that I’ll be dedicating both this post and my Friday entry to a colorful, quilt-loaded recap.
Check out this longhorn at Austin’s historic Driskill Hotel. Yep, you know you’re in Texas! (Gorgeous copper ceiling, too.)
QuiltCon 2013 was the first-ever large-scale quilt show and conference to be sponsored by the Modern Quilt Guild. From its first meeting of 21 quilters in Los Angeles, the Modern Quilt Guild has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, with approximately 200 chapters spread throughout the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, India, Brazil, Ireland, the UK, and continental Europe. After a poll of its members, the MQG selected Austin as the site for QuiltCon 2013–the perfect opportunity for a midway meet-up with my longtime NC (quilting) buddy, Mary Underwood.
Even the walk from hotel to the Convention Center was ripe with inspiration. Downtown Austin features an inspiring mix of historic and modern architecture, often side by side.
Once we got on the show floor? Here’s a sampling of what we saw.
Novel interpretations of traditional designs . . .
Double Edged Love, made by Victoria Findlay Wolfe, machine quilted by Lisa Sipes, QuiltCon 2013 Best of Show (category: Modern Traditionalism, Large)
Double Edged Love, detail
Neutral and Neon, made and machine quilted by Latifah Saafir, inspiration: traditional Clamshell pattern (QuiltCon 2013, category: Modern Traditionalism, Large)
New Star Rising, made and quilted by Ben Darby, QuiltCon 2013, 1st Place (category: Modern Traditionalism, Large)
Refreshing palettes of lime, orange, teal, bright lemon yellow, sparkling white, and lots and lots of gray . . .
Stringtastic, made and machine quilted by Nicole Neblett (Quiltcon 2013, category: Modern Traditionalism, Large)
Just One More Slice, made and machine quilted by Patty Simmons, inspiration: crop circles as seen from the air (QuiltCon 2013, category: Piecing, Large)
Lucky, made and machine quilted by Beth Copeland (QuiltCon 2013, category: Use of Negative Space, Large)
Squiders and Winks, made by Janet McWorkman, machine quilted by Laurie Vandergriff, inspiration: children’s game, Tiddly Winks (QuiltCon 2013, category: Applique, Large)
Heavy echoes of the mid-century-modern aesthetic . . .
Trajectory #2, made and machine quilted by Megan Dye, inspiration: mid-century-modern boomerang motif, 1st Place, QuiltCon 2013(category: Use of Negative Space, Large)