PIQF–The Modern Quilt Competition

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Plaid Portico

The Plaid Portico is finally back and first off this year we will have long overdue coverage of the Pacific International Quilt Festival in Santa Clara, CA. We’ll start with a 1st installment of the Modern Quilt Competition, with this year’s theme of “Mid-Century Mod”. After that, there will be selections from the Wall category and the World Quilt Competition.

Modern Yin Yang by Karen Maple

Love in the Digital Age by Kristin Shields

Ode to Vega by Jane Merkel

Jazz by Evelyn Wickham

Pojagi Mod by Claudia Shearer

Splintered Rainbows by Susan Ritter & Vivian Lemoine

Sarasota Sunset #3 by Carole Lyles Shaw

Sawing the Sky by Karen Maple

Marsala Migration by Nicki Mierzejewski

Links of Color by Margrit Schwanck

Journey by Mary Menzer

Keep It Simple by Jodi Robinson

Grandpa’s Model Twenty #1 by Jodi Robinson

Hardly Strictly Stella by Cathy Miranker, quilted by Claudia Shearer

Estrella da Laim by Leslie Peacock, quilted by Debbie Stanton

Confined by Nancy Ota

Color Crystals by Vicki Ruebel

Cocktails and Coffee by Joy Shilling, quilted by Stitches of Joy Quilting

Anni Albers’ Orange Chair by Martha Peterson

A Different Drummer by Mary Menzer

Quilt Market 2015 Houston-More Selections from the Quilt Exhibitions

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Plaid Portico

One more installment after this one of selected quilts from the exhibitions at Quilt Market Houston 2015. A wide variety of styles, I find them all either likable, interesting or intriguing.

Enjoy!

Tulip in Swing Style by Keiko Morita

Timelines by Betty Busby

Mysterious Letter by Noriko Nozawa

My Family by Nariko Kawashima

The Woman by Kyoko Ochiai

Spheres XLVII by Jane Frenke

River Stones by Karen Eckmeier

Ole by Hope Wilmarth

Out on a Limb by Thelma Bearden

Liberation by Rebecca Muir MacKellar

Kenophobia by Robbi Joy Elkow

Kan Oh Chi Rai-Prediction by Study the Past

Indigo in Years Go by Feng Meng

Grief by Barbara Jahn

Ghosts by Ruth Montalvo

Frustrated by Edith Bieri-Hanselmann

Farm Girl by Victori Findlay Wolfe and Karen McTavish

Discovery by Sally Collins

Challenge 9, Village Green by Alicia Merret

Challenge 9, Drawing by Misik Kim

Barbara’s Circle by Beth Nufer and Clem Buzick

Quilt Market 2015 Houston–Selections from the Quilt Exhibition

Posted on November 22, 2015 by Plaid Portico

Well, since we’ve already covered the Modern Quilt Guild’s exhibition at Quilt Market Houston 2015, here we have my picks from the rest of the exhibitions. There will be 2 more posts before we can cover them all, and these quilts span the spectrum. As usual you are subject to my curatorial eye which just means I take photos of ones that interest me for whatever reason.

We’ll backtrack after this to do some coverage of this year’s Pacific International Quilt Festival, as well as highlight some local quilt talent.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Rooflines #10: Mountain Villages by Colleen Kole

Essence by Lyric Kinard

Challenge 8 Daily Routine by Misik Kim

Challenge 1 What Am I Doing Now? by Misik Kim

Affinity for Improv & Love of the Line by Leslie Tucker Jenison

Universal by Julie Schlueter

Sprocket 2 Me by Robbi Elkow

Sidetracked to Marrakesh by April Wicker

Selvage Star of Bethelem by Mayleen Vinson, quilted by Jan Hutchison

Rama Lama Ding Dong by Jamie Finga

Poppies of Mandalay by Connie Stark

Origami Stars by Carolina Asmussen

Old Red Door by Susan Brubaker Knapp

Modern Log Cabin by Kimberly Lapacek, quilted by Marcia Wachuta

Mission Accomplished by Rebecca Everett

Magnetic Attraction (Tuning Fork #26) by Heather Pregger

Half Crazy, All Lucky by Margaret Williams

Flying Geese Confusion by Lynda Krupka

Far Afield by Timna Tarr

Dot by Kathy York

Distortion by Roxane Lessa

Desitalart by Laura Armiraglio

Crystal Garden by Susan Stewart

Challenge 8 Intercellular by Betty Busby

Challenge 5 Happy Birthday by Hsin-Chen Lin

Challenge 5 Blue by Misik Kim

Blue Rose by Ann Ruthsdottir

Ad Libbing by Linda Hungerford and Lora Douglas

A Little Bit of This and That by Maia Hunt

Some favorite booths from Quilt Market 2015

Posted on October 29, 2015 by Plaid Portico

Yes, I am back from Quilt Market 2015 with a tons of pics. Most are of the exhibition, but before we get to those, I thought I would show you just a few shots of some of my favorite booths, mostly by some marvelous fabric designers.

In the next few weeks have several quilt exhibitions to cover so stay tuned…

Kim Andersson of I Adore Pattern

Alison Glass

Cotton + Steel

Shannon Brinkley

Valorie Wells

Carolyn Friedlander

Heather Givens

Anna Marie Horner

Tula Pink

Josephine Kimberling

Jessica Swift

Maude Asbury

Amy Butler

Kaffe Fassett

Maureen Cracknell

Bari J

Patty Sloniger

Sew Kind of Wonderful

Aurifil

RJR

RJR

YoYos and Half Squares, Contemporary California Quilts

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Plaid Portico

The YoYos and Half Squares, Contemporary California Quilts exhibition at the Oakland Museum, are all quilts from Eli Leon‘s collection. This exhibition highlights the work of Angie Tobias, Arbie Williams, Mattie Pickett, Rosie Lee Tompkins, and Sherry Byrd.

Oakland based collector Eli Leon acquired many of their quilt tops and then turned to a network of local craftswomen including Irene Bankhead, Willia Ette Graham, and others to quilt the tops to backings. Leon’s relationship with these makers is central to the complicated and fascinating story of how these quilts came to be as objects and a collection.

“Looking at these 20 quilts is like entering a different world—one that is asymmetrical and tactile. We hope the exhibition alters your idea of what a quilt can be.” — Carin Adams, Associate Curator of Art and Material Culture

“Highlighting the stunning creations of five quilters from the Oakland-based Eli Leon collection, Yo-Yos & Half Squares: Contemporary California Quilts presents 20 quilts that defy standard expectations, dating from the late 1980s and early 2000s. Featuring complex asymmetrical patterns, unusual materials and an improvisational creation process, these quilts are unique artworks that expand the notions of craft through exuberant artistic expression…. Although the quilts are highly distinct from each other, the exhibition reflects the makers’ individual interests, skills and talents and Eli Leon’s vision and unique story as a collector, beginning in the early 1970s and with a large focus on African-American quilters”.

Enjoy!

Double Strip. Mattie Pickett, piecer, Willia Ette Graham and Irene Bankhead, quilters. Collection of Eli Leon

Detail of Double Strip. Mattie Pickett, piecer, Willia Ette Graham and Irene Bankhead, quilters. Collection of Eli Leon

Hit and Miss Strip, Rosie Lee Tompkins, piecer, Willia Ette Graham, quilter. Collection of Eli Leon

Detail of Hit and Miss Strip, Rosie Lee Tompkins, piecer, Willia Ette Graham, quilter. Collection of Eli Leon

Checker Board Green and Black. Rosie Lee Tompkins, piecer.Irene Bankhead, quilter. Collection of Eli Leon

Detail of Checker Board Green and Black. Rosie Lee Tompkins, piecer.Irene Bankhead, quilter. Collection of Eli Leon

Texas Star. Mattie Pickett, piecer, Willia Ette Graham, quilter. Collection of Eli Leon.

Detail of Texas Star. Mattie Pickett, piecer, Willia Ette Graham, quilter. Collection of Eli Leon.

Double Medallion, Sherry Byrd, piecer, Irene Bankhead, quilter. Collection of Eli Leon

Roman Stripe Variations. Pieced by Sherry Byrd, quilted by Willia Ette Graham and Jonnie Wade. Collection of Eli Leon

Detail of Roman Stripe Variations. Pieced by Sherry Byrd, quilted by Willia Ette Graham and Jonnie Wade.

Roman Stripe Variations. Pieced by Sherry Byrd, quilted by Willia Ette Graham and Jonnie Wade. Collection of Eli Leon

Pittsburgh Stealers. Angie Tobias, piecer and quilter. Collection of Eli Leon

Detail of Angie Tobias, piecer and quilter. Collection of Eli Leon

Detail of Pittsburgh Stealers, Angie Tobias, piecer and quilter. Collection of Eli Leon

Half-squares Put-together. Rosie Lee Tompkins, Piecer, Irene Bankhead. Collection of Eli Leon.

Detail of Half-squares Put-together. Rosie Lee Tompkins, Piecer, Irene Bankhead. Collection of Eli Leon

Brass Buttons. Arbie Williams, piecer, Irene Bankhead, quilter. Collection of Eli Leon

Detail of Brass Buttons. Arbie Williams, piecer, Irene Bankhead, quilter. Collection of Eli Leon

Mamaloo. Pieced by Arbie Williams, quilted by Willia Ette Graham and Johnnie Eade. Collection of Eli Leon

Detail of Mamaloo. Pieced by Arbie Williams, quilted by Willia Ette Graham and Johnnie Eade. Collection of Eli Leon

Swing Dinger. Pieced by Arbie Williams, quilted by Willia Ette Graham. Collection of Eli Leon

Detail of Swing Dinger. Pieced by Arbie Williams, quilted by Willia Ette Graham. Collection of Eli Leon

Four Patch Half Square Strip. Pieced by Rosie Lee Tompkins, quilted by Irene Bankhead.

A Memory by Angie Tobias. Collection of Eli Leon.

Detail of A Memory. by Angie Tobias. Collection of Eli Leon.

Black yo-yos on green hanging and 17 Patches. Pieced by Rosie Lee Tompkins, quilted by Irene Bankhead.Collection of Eli Leon.

Wall Piece, pieced by Rosie Lee Timpkins, quilted by Irene Bankhead. Colleciton of Eli Leon.

Strip. Pieced by Angie Tobias, quilted by Willia Ette Graham. Collection of Eli Leon

Detail of Strip. Pieced by Angie Tobias, quilted by Willia Ette Graham. Collection of Eli Leon

Chair with Embroidery and Applique. Pieced by Rosie Lee Tompkins. Collection of Eli Leon.

Unfinished by Rosie Lee Tompkins, Collection of Eli Leon.

Detail of Unfinished by Rosie Lee Tompkins, Collection of Eli Leon.

Benjamin Leon Commemorative Quilt. Eli Leon, designer and piecer, Esther Foss, piecer, Helen Brodfield, quilter. Collection of Eli Leon.

Detail of Benjamin Leon Commemorative Quilt. Eli Leon, designer and piecer, Esther Foss, piecer, Helen Brodfield, quilter. Collection of Eli Leon.

Freddy Moran, Quilting in the Garden Exhibition at Alden Lane Nursery

Posted on October 15, 2015 by Plaid Portico

Out Livermore way here in Northern California, Alden Lane Nursery puts on an annual event called “Quilting in the Garden”. It really is spectacular, with quilts hanging from trees amidst all the nursery flora.

This year Freddy Moran was the guest artist with 100 of her quilts on display. No, that is not a typo. She had 100 quilts on display. A renowned quilt artist, teacher and author, Freddy is also known for her vibrant color palette, and “red is a neutral” mantra.

My favorite thing though is when Freddy grabs my arm, looks me straight in the eye and says “do whatever you want Carol”. I am not alone. I understand that for decades Freddy has been encouraging people to let go of anything standing in the way of their creative voices when making their quilts. “Just do it”!

Here we’ll share some shots of the event so you can get a feel for the quilts in the trees, and then I’ve zeroed in on a few of my favorite quilts of Freddy’s. Enjoy!

Freddy Moran, Quilting in the Garden at Alden Lane Nursery

Freddy Moran, Quilting in the Garden Exhibition at Alden Lane Nursery 2015

What a Star by Freddy Moran

Flower Garden by Freddy Moran

Damask Log Cabin by Freddy Moran

Gwenny Wannabe by Freddy Moran

Around the Block by Freddy Moran

Marzella’s Quilt by Freddy Moran

Modern I by Freddy Moran

Modern II by Freddy Moran

Round and Round by Freddy Moran

Gee’s Bend Log Cabin by Freddy Moran

Matrimony II by Freddy Moran

Red Buttons by Freddy Moran

Pineapple by Freddy Moran

Pineapple III by Freddy Moran

Zig-Zag by Freddy Moran

Chinese Coins by Freddy Moran

Triangle Quilt by Freddy Moran

Jack and I really loved the backs of the quilts. Freddy tends to use mostly whole cloth backs of dynamite fabrics she’s collected.

Freddy Moran, Quilting in the Garden Exhibition at Alden Lane Nursery 2015

Quilt Local: Finding Inspiration in the Everyday

Posted on October 12, 2015 by Plaid Portico

Heather Jones’ new book, Quilt Local: Finding Inspiration in the Everyday has delicious photography, modern quilts, and a unique look at the quilt design process.

Screen Shot 2015-10-11 at 10.16.56 PM

The book is divided into PROCESS and QUILTS. PROCESS is about finding inspiration around you, and shows how to go from inspiration to finished project. It covers working from inspiration, color theory, quilt design, and basic quilt construction. QUILTS has 40 original quilts with their variations and instructions. Many of the quilts are characterized by the use of negative space, minimalism and organic structure.

One of my favorite quilts is Red Lion (I also love the name). Though I’m usually an asymmetrical gal, I love the simplicity and versatility of this quilt design, and it can certainly be made asymmetrically with color placement.

Red Lion by Heather Jone

Red Lion by Heather Jones

Speaking of everyday inspiration, here at the Plaid Portico our motto is, “Don’t forgot to look for keep looking for things that inspire you!” And in that spirit, and in the spirit of Quilt Local, I will share some everyday inspiration from ’round this neck of the woods.

Find out more and follow along on the QUILT LOCAL BLOG TOUR!

10/6: STC Craft Blog
10/8: Robert Kaufman
10/9: Melanie Falick
10/10: Sew Mama Sew
10/11: Creative Bug
10/12: Plaid Portico
10/14: Modern Sewciety
10/16: Pellon
10/19: The Tattooed Quilter
10/21: Amy’s Creative Side
10/23: Diary of a Quilter
10/26: Film in the Fridge
10/28: Tall Grass Prairie Studio
10/29: Okan Arts
10/30: Kara Sews
11/2: Crimson Tate
11/4: Dainty Time
11/6: Nap Time Quilter
11/9: Spoonflower
11/11: Aurifil
11/13: A Gathering of Stitches

Coming up on The Plaid Portico, we will cover the Eli Leon Exhibition at the Oakland Museum of Art, my picks from Freddy Moran’s latest solo exhibition, the Found/Made exhibition at the San Jose Museum of Quilts and textiles, and my picks from The Pacific International Quilt Festival. We also have more books to highlight and some wonderful quilter profiles.

Stay tuned – after a long summer vacation, we’re back!

Kawandi Adventure: Quilts by Margaret Fabrizio

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Plaid Portico

A visit to the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles with some of my quilter friends was a treat, as there were several exhibitions on (plus the company was superb). Today we will cover one of the exhibitions, Kawandi Adventure: Quilts by Margaret Fabrizio.

Fabrizio was inspired by a 2011 exhibition of Kawandi at the Museum of African Diaspora in San Francisco. Kawandi is a hand sewing technique used by the Siddi women of Karnataka, India. She was intrigued enough to travel to India and spend two weeks with some Siddi women learning about their technique. They appeal to me because of my love for textiles, but as quilts, I love the improvisational aspect.

After this we will cover the A Common Thread exhibit, which I think was quite extraordinary and well curated. Though before that a little blogcation is in order…Hope you are enjoying your summer and enjoy the Kawandi Adventure!

Madder Plaids by Margaret Fabrizio, 2014.

Plaids Gone Mad by Margaret Fabrizio, 2014.

Stripes by Margaret Fabrizio, 2014.

Tiger by Margaret Fabrizio, 2012.

Very Red by Margaret Fabrizio, 2013

Blue Bicycle by Margaret Fabrizio, 2012

Blew the Blues by Margaret Fabrizio, 2013

Four Roses by Margaret Fabrizio, 2012

To Be or Not To Be by Margaret Fabrizio, 2014

Could Be 2 by Margaret Fabrizio, 2015

Stitch Modern 2015

Posted on June 1, 2015 by Plaid Portico

Finally we get to the Stitch Modern 2015 exhibition, the 4th annual show of the East Bay Modern Quilters. A non-juried exhibition, members of the group all submit a quilt if they like and we end up getting at least 1 up on the wall from anyone who brings them.

I must also mention that we have awesome events that go with this show every year. This year we had:
• A lively lecture from Joe Cunningham, titled “Biased and Edgy: My Career in Quilts
• A workshop with Kathryn Clark: ‘Modern Quilts with a Message: Designing Quilt Blocks for Today’s Stories.
• A Stitch Up event–An afternoon of sewing in memory of Deanna Davis
• The now annual Family and Community Activity Day, including quilting demos
• The best opening party yet!

Oh, and many many thanks to Joel Ignacio, of Joey’s Planting, for letting me use many of his photographs here. An amazing quilter, gardener, graphic designer, AND photographer, he takes the photos for our social media pages. (I had a major fail with half of my photographs the day I took them. Thank you for the rescue Joel!)

The exhibition takes place at the Piedmont Center for the Arts and plans are underfoot for next year so stay tuned for that. Let’s take a look at the wide variety and wonderful quilts in this year’s show:

Untied by Kristen Hosemann, quilted by Sue Fox

I Spy the Alphabet by Terri Carpenter

Northwest by Stacey Sharman, of Peppermint Pinwheels

Joyful by Darci Read

Every Picture Tells a Story by Margaret Glendening

Water’s Edge by Andre Morand

Wavelengths by Lauren Hungler

Ladder by Linda Hlady

What I had by Kim Andersson, quilted by Terri Carpenter

Midway by Anna Carloni

The Big Wasabi by Pati Fried, quilted by Kerry Reed

Amish Inspired Bars by Kristen Takakuwa

Pop Pendants by Ann Haley

Faults by Susan Paulukonis

Orange is The New Purple by Claire Sherman

Starry Fox by Birgit Hottentrott, quilted by Terri Carpenter

Justine’s Starbright Quilt by Adrienne St. John

Half-Square Triangles by Tara Faughnan

Make Do by Kathy Grady.

Untitled by Patricia Smith

Crossroads “15” by Sue Mary Fox

Sun Shine by Sharona Fischrup, quilted by New Pieces Quilt Shop

Happy Medallion Quilt by Rita Nguyen. Quilted by Natalia Bonner.

Rose and Shine! by Carol Van Zandt

Moonshadows Pillow Covers by Ann Haley, made by Maryann Majorana and Pauline O’Connell, using Moonshadows fabric by Kim Schafer

Hand Dyes Pillow Covers by Ann Haley, made by Maryann Majorana and Pauline O’Connell, using Hand Dyes fabric by Kim Schafer

Biased Opinion by Pati Fried

Sherbert Sunrise by Valerie Gibbins with Chancy Fessler, Terri carpenter, Anna Carlini. Quilted by Terri Carpenter

Sherbert Sunrise by Valerie Gibbins with Chancy Fessler, Terri carpenter, Anna Carloni. Quilted by Terri Carpenter

Carousel by Anna Carloni with Terri Carpenter, Chancy Fessler, Valerie Gibbins. Quilted by Terri Carpenter.

Paint by Improv by Chancy Fessler with Terri Carpenter, Anna Carloni, Valerie Gibbins. Quilted by Chancy Fessler.

The Neighborhood by Terri Carpenter with Calerie Gibbons, Chancy Fessler, Anna Carloni. Quilted by Terri Carpenter.

Mini Amish Quilt Challenge by Terri Carpenter

Mini Amish Quilt Challenge by Stacey Sharman

Mini Amish Quilt Challenge by Terri Carpenter

Mini Amish Quilt Challenge by Kristen Takakuwa

Mini Amish Quilt Challenge by Margaret Glendenning

Mini Amish Quilt Challenge by Chancy Fessler

Capitola Quilter

Posted on May 22, 2015 by Plaid Portico

I first met Karen Foster, THE Capitola Quilter, at the Sewing Summit in …2012? Wow, time flies. I remember her because she was from Capitola and I have always loved Capitola, a wonderful town by the sea, south of Santa Cruz, California. So fun to meet up with her again at QuiltCon 2015 after only seeing her on social media.

Founding member of Santa Cruz chapter of The Modern Quilt Guild and member of the Pajaro Valley Quilt Association, Karen is also one of the main cats in the Quilt Design a Day group and has a staggering number of designs under her belt. Known to frequent quilt retreats, she is an active organizer and participant of quilt challenges, swaps and bees… AND a prolific quilter, blogger and instagrammer.

But really it’s her passion for fabric and quilts and sewing that spur all of this, and she has so many wonderful projects and how to’s to share. I’ve had a super fun time meandering through her blog putting this together and highly recommend a follow on this one.

Yes, and she played with Luna Lounge and made not one quilt, but 2, both of which made it to Quilt Market at the Andover booth. I love what she did. Ripple Strudel in the grey color way, has a great tutorial. Then Dig Deep in the neutrals is based on the Stacked Bricks pattern, one of Pam Rocco’s Fibonacci series patterns for Quilter’s Newsletter and free online.

So we’ll show you shots of both of those, and then follow with many of her other wonderful quilts. Most images have links to more details and the tutorials. SO jealous she gets to take photos of her quilts by the ocean….clearly also an influence in her beautiful quilts!

Enjoy!