Red and White Applique

I think I just set a new personal record for the most photos in one post, but I just couldn't eliminate any of these incredible applique quilts! Some are elegant, some are primitive; what a wonderful collection. Next week my DH and I will be in AZ and UT on vacation and I think I'll bring some applique. (With a little knitting on the side in case the roads are bumpy.)

These are interesting shapes (above and below). They look like the little seed pods from maple trees. My husband calls them little helicopters; I call them little shoes.

I imagine these are Democrat donkeys. I didn't see any corresponding elephants.

I really like these wheels (above) but I think they'd be a real challenge to make. The quilt below looks like applique and reverse applique. Lots of stitching, in any case!

Wasn't that fun? I love seeing all these quilts again with you. Are you inspired? (Duh!)

Yup, pieced quilts tomorrow. I hope you get to quilt today.

Happy birthday to Barbara Harrison!

Red and Whites with Gorgeous Quilting

I'm in awe of the artistry and fine craftsmanship represented here. Although there were many people viewing the quilts, it was quiet in the room. Others have mentioned this too. This event was a highlight of my quilting life. I don't know how to put it into words.

Red and White Trees and My Mom

A red and white Tree of Life quilt is such a classic, and this exhibit had some wonderful examples. The quilt in the photo above was displayed near the entrance just above the gift shop area. I'm glad you can see the beautiful quilting.

Wowzers - look at all the triangles in the 36 trees above! Each tree has 36 triangles in the foliage which makes 1,296 triangles! But who's counting?

Well, okay, the quilt below is a grape basket I think, not a tree. But it's similar.

You almost lose sight of the trees in the setting below. The trunks dominate the design making big X's, but the overall effect is stunning anyway. And you get a huge variable star in the middle of the quilt. This is one of my favorites.

And here's my Mom, below. She and I had such a good day visiting the exhibit and having lunch there too. Mom likes modern geometric designs and this was one of her favorites. Yikes, I hope she doesn't ask me to make one like this for her!

Yup, more red and whites tomorrow. Are you getting tired of red and whites?

Red and White Quilt With Stuffed Work

This small quilt is loaded with dense quilting and puffy stuffed work. I'd love to know the story behind this quilt. Do the shapes represent something or are they abstract? Was she thinking about Hawaiian quilts? Wouldn't she love to see it in this exhibit!

Embroidered American Red Cross Quilt

This American Red Cross quilt was the only Redwork quilt in the exhibit. Some of the blocks feature names of songs, cities in New York state, names of notable New Yorkers (Washington Irving), and popular mid-20th century images of children, animals, and flowers. This quilt was tied with red embroidery thread. It was displayed spread out on a low table.

Yup, more red and whites tomorrow.

Red and White Houses

Interestingly, the two red and white house quilts above include a church. The one in the top photo may have been made as a gift to a pastor or a church fund-raiser because it contains many signatures embroidered with very tiny stitches.

The quilt above has very nice quilting. The houses would "read" better if placed on a bed.

White houses on a red background are pretty too.

More red and whites tomorrow.

Red and White Wedding Quilts

Here are two wedding quilts from the recent Red and White exhibit "Infinite Variety" in New York City. None of the quilts had descriptions attached, but these two quilts tell their own stories. I wonder if Lavinia Rose, the maker of the quilt in the top photo, is related to Joanna Rose, the owner of this huge collection. Also, I wonder if both these quilts were made by the same person. Similarities include the couple's names at the top, the focus on God, a key design, several "fonts," some horizontal floral applique, straight-line quilting, and of course they are red and white.

From the photo above, you might wonder if all the viewers were men. :)

More red and whites tomorrow.

Sunny Faces from Taos

These hand-painted sunny faces are souvenirs from a trip to Taos, New Mexico that my husband and I took about 5 years ago. Finally they are out of the box and decorating the porch doorway in my quilt room. This room is the perfect place for decorations that are a little over-the-top for my husband's taste. Haha. He does like quilts decorating the rest of the house though.

What are you decorating your sewing space with?

This is What it Looked Like

This photo was taken by Barb Vedder of NJ at the red and white quilt exhibit "Infinite Variety"

in NYC recently. This is what it looked like when you first entered the room. Later this month I'll show you my photos.

I hope you won't be sick of red and whites by then. Haha, just a little April Fool's humor.