Whenever I go to a quilt show, there are always many quilts that I enjoy, but a few that stay with me, standing out as special for a variety of reasons. You can learn a great deal by studying the quilts that you particularly like and that inspire you. What is it that initially draws you to a quilt? Is the design balanced and coherent? Is the color and fabric choice particularly pleasing? Is the workmanship precise and tidy? When you see the quilt close-up, are there additional details that surprise and delight you?

Blue is my favourite color and I love the classic look of blue and white quilts. “Ole Blue” made by Opal Myers of Lacey, WA, won Honorable Mention in the Traditional Applique category. Opal used a nice selection of blues ranging from very dark to light and they look crisp on the white background. The combination of appliqued flowers and Celtic knot work is beautiful and I love the way she has scalloped the edge of the white against the the dark blue framing border. Up close you can see her lovely hand quilting.

This quilt “New York Beauty” by Sharon Bakke, Redmond, WA,  in the Traditional Pieced category, was hanging at the end of an aisle and I first saw it from a distance. What a striking pattern created from the orientation of the Log Cabin blocks. I love it.The label said, “Replica of vintage quilt made in Hornsby area of New York State, date unknown, unique design, maker unknown.” From a distance the dark reads as a dark red, but as you can see from the close-up, it is actually alternating black and red. There is a wonderful variety of fabrics used in the narrow Log Cabin strips.

“Ms. MacDonald Had a Farm”, made by Hanging by a Thread Group, Chehalis, WA,  won third place in the Pictorial Large category. This quilt was great fun and what really appealed to me was the creativity of the fabric choices on the animals. Who would think to use Kaffe Fassett fabrics on a goat! This is a happy quilt and it made me smile. The label said ” The topic is appropriate for these ladies whose lives are rooted in the colorful farming community in the Boistfort Valley in Washington.” Here are a couple more detailed shots.