I was fortunate to recently attend the 2013 Quilt & Fiber Arts Festival sponsored by the La Conner Quilt & Textile Museum. The Museum hosted its usual exhibits and a couple of vendors. Most of the show was in Maple Hall where photography was not allowed, but I got permission to take a general view of the hall from the stage. What really struck me about this wonderful show, was the variety of art quilts including some that were 3-D, and the breaking of the boundaries between quilting and other fiber arts. It was inspiring to see such an array of exhibits in this juried contest with entries from 17 states and 7 different countries.

At the Civic Garden Club, just across the road from the Museum, were the quilts in the “Open Traditional Bed” category and the garments. This was my first port of call and I enjoyed the exquisite beauty and workmanship of these quilts. Here are three that particularly struck me.

Pretty as a Peacock, 80″ x 80″, a first place winner, was made by Cindy Rainy of Kenai, AK who was inspired by the beautiful focal Oriental peacock fabric. Her machine quilting is absolutely gorgeous. Cindy also made this lovely Double Wedding Ring quilt, 72″ x 80″, winning second place. Again the machine quilting is fantastic and really complements the quilt. Cindy chose fabrics to give this traditional pattern more of a contemporary feel.

Barbara Root of Ladysmith, BC hand appliqued and hand quilted this spectacular quilt, Anything is Possible, 91″ x 91″. She saw a quilt, Expression of Morris, by Katie Friesa  hanging in a quilt store in Manitoba and purchased the pattern. The pattern sat for a couple of years before she had the courage to begin the quilt. This is the first bed quilt she has hand quilted.