Traditional Quilts at Festival of Quilts 2019
It wasn’t until the last day of Festival of Quilts that Laura and I were finally able to wander between the aisles of the competition quilts. We both agreed that the standard of work in the Traditional Quilts category was often outstanding.
Liz Jones of Leominster exhibited her machine appliquéd quilt ‘Sophia’. The attention to detail was incredible – just look at those piped scallops on both the inner and outer edges. Liz placed pattern on pattern to create a very rich effect.
Lynda Jackson from Sheffield entered her quilt ‘Tranquility’ and was awarded 3rd place in the category. Her mastery of free motion quilting made so effective by the choice of contrasting thread colours. This quilt also featured an exquisite shaped border treatment and a dynamic backing which the quilt angel was happy to reveal.
The wholecloth quilt ‘Fusion’ by Sandy Chandler of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly was awarded Highly Commended. Very pale quilts like this are notoriously difficult to photograph but Sandy’s free motion machine quilting defines the design so perfectly that I think you’ll agree the quilt is stunning. There is a perfect balance between the densely stitched areas and the voided shapes making the flowing feathers and the floral motifs just pop off the surface.
Meticulous and exquisite were words we also found ourselves using to describe ‘Summer Spectrum’ by Annelize Littlefair of Henley-on-Thames. Annelize used many different variegated threads to achieve delicate and painterly effects with her free motion quilting. We loved her fabric covered beads and fabric looped edge treatment too. This quilt was awarded Highly Commended.
The judges must have had an incredibly difficult time deciding on the winners in the Traditional Quilt category this year – I didn’t envy them that task!
Linda