QuiltCon 2015: Youth Quilts and Top Awards

Well, it has been a journey blogging the exhibitions at QuiltCon 2015. This is the last of the QuiltCon curated quilts here, though we still need to cover a few of the special exhibitions: The Quilts of Gee’s Bend, and Quilts of the 70’s from the Collection of Bill Volckening. But first we will take a break and do some book reviews and some smaller exhibitions.

Last but not least is the very inspiring youth quilt category.  It is a small group of quilts, but there are a couple things to note.  These young quilters are learning to use long arms at a very early age! Can you imagine what their quilting will look like in 20 years? Quilting traditions passed down from generation to generation is no more evident than in these quilts as each young person has been helped or instructed along the way by their mothers, aunts, and the community around them. Something new and something old.

The final special award winners are here, and though they have been all over social media, take one more look. I have to say that after seeing every quilt both in person and then here on my computer editing the photos and posting them in wordpress, it was a surprising pleasure to take a look at these again. They are indeed remarkable.

Grapeshot by Maggie Johnson. Tulsa, Oklahoma. Quilted by Ann Olson. Inspired by Kaffe Fassett's "Cutting Corners Quilt"

Grapeshot by Maggie Johnson. Tulsa, Oklahoma. Quilted by Ann Olson. Inspired by Kaffe Fassett’s “Cutting Corners Quilt”. Improvisational piecing.

Grapeshot by Maggie Johnson. Tulsa, Oklahoma. Quilted by Ann Olson. Inspired by Kaffe Fassett's "Cutting Corners Quilt"

Grapeshot by Maggie Johnson. Tulsa, Oklahoma. Quilted by Ann Olson. Inspired by Kaffe Fassett’s “Cutting Corners Quilt”. 

Staircase by Kate Ivie, Austin, Texas. Pattern: "Social Climber" from Villa Rosa Designs.

Staircase by Kate Ivie, Austin, Texas. Pattern: “Social Climber” from Villa Rosa Designs.Started at age 10. Quilted by Evie on a long-arm at The Cotton Cupboard in Lakeway, Texas. Binding by her mother, Jill Evie.

Staircase by Kate Ivie, Austin, Texas. Pattern: "Social Climber" from from Villa Rosa Designs.

Staircase by Kate Ivie, Austin, Texas. Pattern: “Social Climber” from Villa Rosa Designs.

Pinwheels by Kate Ivie. Austin. Texas. Pattern, "Mardi Gras" from Villa Rosa Designs. Started ar age 9. Quilted on a long arm at The Cotton Cupboard in Lakeway, Texas.

Pinwheels by Kate Ivie. Austin. Texas. Pattern, “Mardi Gras” from Villa Rosa Designs. Started ar age 9. Quilted on a long arm at The Cotton Cupboard in Lakeway, Texas.

Pinwheels by Kate Ivie. Austin. Texas. Pattern, "Mardi Gras" from Villa Rosa Designs. Started ar age 9. Quilted on a long arm at The Cotton Cupboard in Lakeway, Texas.

Pinwheels by Kate Ivie. Austin. Texas. Pattern, “Mardi Gras” from Villa Rosa Designs. Started ar age 9. Quilted on a long arm at The Cotton Cupboard in Lakeway, Texas.

Side Step by Kate Ivie. Austin, Texas.Original design at age 10. Quilted by Kate on a long arm at The Cotton Cupboard in Lakeway, Texas.

Side Step by Kate Ivie. Austin, Texas.Original design at age 10. Quilted by Kate on a long arm at The Cotton Cupboard in Lakeway, Texas.

Side Step by Kate Ivie. Austin, Texas.Original design at age 10. Quilted by Kate on a long arm at The Cotton Cupboard in Lakeway, Texas.

Side Step by Kate Ivie. Austin, Texas.Original design at age 10. Quilted by Kate on a long arm at The Cotton Cupboard in Lakeway, Texas.

Rothko's Dream by Evie Guigley, Hernando Mississippi. Mom helped cut the rotary strips. Original design, 1st time using a long arm with instruction from Mrs. Teresa Pino, Quilts2aT Studio. 3rd Place, Youth Quilts, QuiltCon 2015.

Rothko’s Dream by Evie Guigley, Hernando Mississippi. Mom helped cut the rotary strips. Original design, 1st time using a long arm with instruction from Mrs. Teresa Pino, Quilts2aT Studio. 3rd Place, Youth Quilts, QuiltCon 2015.

Rothko's Dream by Evie Guigley, Hernando Mississippi. Mom helped cut the rotary strips. Original design, 1st time using a long arm with instruction from Mrs. Teresa Pino, Quilts2aT Studio. 2rd Place, Youth Quilts, QuiltCon 2015.

Rothko’s Dream by Evie Guigley, Hernando Mississippi. Mom helped cut the rotary strips. Original design, 1st time using a long arm with instruction from Mrs. Teresa Pino, Quilts2aT Studio. 3rd Place, Youth Quilts, QuiltCon 2015.

The Overgrown City by Cadence Jenkins, Ovilla, Texas. 2nd quilt she ever made, original design, quilted with her aunt's long arm.

The Overgrown City by Cadence Jenkins, Ovilla, Texas. 2nd quilt she ever made, original design, quilted with her aunt’s long arm.

The Overgrown City by Cadence Jenkins, Ovilla, Texas. 2nd quilt she ever made, original design, quilted with her aunt's long arm.

The Overgrown City by Cadence Jenkins, Ovilla, Texas. 2nd quilt she ever made, original design, quilted with her aunt’s long arm. 2nd place, Youth Quilts, QuiltCon 2015.

Rainbow Magic by Mollie McMahon. Sutton, New South Wales, Australia. Quilted by Mollie and Mumma (Jules McMahon) 1st Place Youth Quilts, QuiltCon 2015

Rainbow Magic by Mollie McMahon. Sutton, New South Wales, Australia. Quilted by Mollie and Mumma (Jules McMahon) 1st Place Youth Quilts, QuiltCon 2015

Rainbow Magic by Mollie McMahon. Sutton, New South Wales, Australia. Quilted by Mollie and Mumma (Jules McMahon) 1st Place Youth Quilts, QuiltCon 2015

Rainbow Magic by Mollie McMahon. Sutton, New South Wales, Australia. Quilted by Mollie and Mumma (Jules McMahon) 1st Place Youth Quilts, QuiltCon 2015

Eames Blocks designed by Lorena Maranon, pieced by Jen Carlton Bailly, quilted by Gina Pina. Winning design for the Modern Quilt Guild Giveaway Quilt Design Challenge.

Eames Blocks designed by Lorena Maranon, pieced by Jen Carlton Bailly, quilted by Gina Pina. Winning design for the Modern Quilt Guild Giveaway Quilt Design Challenge.

Eames Blocks designed by Lorena Maranon, pieced by Jen Carlton Bailly, quilted by Gina Pina. Winning design for the Modern Quilt Guild Giveaway Quilt Design Challenge.

Eames Blocks designed by Lorena Maranon, pieced by Jen Carlton Bailly, quilted by Gina Pina. Winning design for the Modern Quilt Guild Giveaway Quilt Design Challenge.

i Quilt by Kathy York, Austin, Texas,. Best in Show, QuiltCon 2015. Award sponsored by Gammill.

i Quilt by Kathy York, Austin, Texas,. Best in Show, QuiltCon 2015. Award sponsored by Gammill.

i Quilt by Kathy York, Austin, Texas,. Best in Show, QuiltCon 2015. Award sponsored by Gammill.

i Quilt by Kathy York, Austin, Texas,. Best in Show, QuiltCon 2015. Award sponsored by Gammill.

Coral Reef by Marla Varner, Sequim, Washington. Improvisational hand quilting. Quilting Excellence Award, sponsored by Make it Coats, QuiltCon 2015.

Coral Reef by Marla Varner, Sequim, Washington. Improvisational hand quilting. Quilting Excellence Award, sponsored by Make it Coats, QuiltCon 2015.

Coral Reef by Marla Varner, Sequim, Washington. Improvisational hand quilting. Quilting Excellence Award, sponsored by Make it Coats, QuiltCon 2015.

Coral Reef by Marla Varner, Sequim, Washington. Improvisational hand quilting. Quilting Excellence Award, sponsored by Make it Coats, QuiltCon 2015.

Diving Geese, designed and pieced by Katie Pederson, quilted by Krista Withers. Seattle, Washington. Best Machine Quilting award, sponsored by Interweave. QuiltCon 2015.

Diving Geese, designed and pieced by Katie Pederson, quilted by Krista Withers. Seattle, Washington. Best Machine Quilting award, sponsored by Interweave. QuiltCon 2015.

Diving Geese, designed and pieced by Katie Pederson, quilted by Krista Withers. Seattle, Washington. Best Machine Quilting award, sponsored by Interweave. QuiltCon 2015.

Diving Geese, designed and pieced by Katie Pederson, quilted by Krista Withers. Seattle, Washington. Best Machine Quilting award, sponsored by Interweave. QuiltCon 2015.

QuiltCon 2015: Piecing category, Part 1

We will cover the Piecing category, sponsored by Aurifil, in two parts since there are so many quilts. Remember that quilts for the QuiltCon competitions are accepted into the show first and then put into categories by the judges as part of the judging process. This group has so many interesting original compositions. The category winners will be shown at the end of Part 2 later this week.

Enjoy!

Capsule by Jen Carlton Bailly. Portland, Oregon. Quilted by Nancy Stovall.

Capsule by Jen Carlton Bailly. Portland, Oregon. Quilted by Nancy Stovall.

Capsule by Jen Carlton Bailly. Portland, Oregon. Quilted by Nancy Stovall.

Capsule by Jen Carlton Bailly. Portland, Oregon. Quilted by Nancy Stovall.

Huckleberry by Rebecca Bryan. Wildwood, Missouri.

Huckleberry by Rebecca Bryan. Wildwood, Missouri.

Huckleberry by Rebecca Bryan. Wildwood, Missouri.

Huckleberry by Rebecca Bryan. Wildwood, Missouri.

Tessellation 3 by Nydia Kehnle. Monroe, New York. Quilted by Karlee Porter.

Tessellation 3 by Nydia Kehnle. Monroe, New York. Quilted by Karlee Porter.

Tessellation 3 by Nydia Kehnle. Monroe, New York. Quilted by Karlee Porter.

Tessellation 3 by Nydia Kehnle. Monroe, New York. Quilted by Karlee Porter.

Indie by Phoebe Harrell. Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. Quilted by Emily Sessions.

Indie by Phoebe Harrell. Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. Quilted by Emily Sessions.

Indie by Phoebe Harrell. Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. Quilted by Emily Sessions.

Indie by Phoebe Harrell. Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. Quilted by Emily Sessions.

gRadient by Elizabeth Balderrama. Annapolis, Maryland. Quilted by Alison Brown of Alison's Quilting.

gRadient by Elizabeth Balderrama. Annapolis, Maryland. Quilted by Alison Brown of Alison’s Quilting.

gRadient by Elizabeth Balderrama. Annapolis, Maryland. Quilted by Alison Brown of Alison's Quilting.

gRadient by Elizabeth Balderrama. Annapolis, Maryland. Quilted by Alison Brown of Alison’s Quilting.

Connect the Stars by Barbara Cline. Bridgewater, Virginia.

Connect the Stars by Barbara Cline. Bridgewater, Virginia.

Connect the Stars by Barbara Cline. Bridgewater, Virginia.

Connect the Stars by Barbara Cline. Bridgewater, Virginia.

Phased Circles by Michelle Wilkie. Cary, North Carolina.

Phased Circles by Michelle Wilkie. Cary, North Carolina.

Phased Circles by Michelle Wilkie. Cary, North Carolina.

Phased Circles by Michelle Wilkie. Cary, North Carolina.

Profits & Losses by Gina Pina. Austin, Texas.

Profits & Losses by Gina Pina. Austin, Texas.

Profits & Losses by Gina Pina. Austin, Texas.

Profits & Losses by Gina Pina. Austin, Texas.

Road to Pasadena by Kendra Nitta. Pasadena, California.

Road to Pasadena by Kendra Nitta. Pasadena, California.

Road to Pasadena by Kendra Nitta. Pasadena, California.

Road to Pasadena by Kendra Nitta. Pasadena, California.

Blue Circle Quilt by Kim Eichler-Messmer. Kansas City, Kansas.

Blue Circle Quilt by Kim Eichler-Messmer. Kansas City, Kansas.

Blue Circle Quilt by Kim Eichler-Messmer. Kansas City, Kansas.

Blue Circle Quilt by Kim Eichler-Messmer. Kansas City, Kansas.

Carnival by Melody Baker. Lenexa, Kansas.

Carnival by Melody Baker. Lenexa, Kansas.

Carnival by Melody Baker. Lenexa, Kansas.

Carnival by Melody Baker. Lenexa, Kansas.

Happy by Carrie Wikander. Fredericksburg, Texas.

Happy by Carrie Wikander. Fredericksburg, Texas.

Happy by Carrie Wikander. Fredericksburg, Texas.

Happy by Carrie Wikander. Fredericksburg, Texas.

Welcome to Colorful Colorado by Katie Larson. Kansas City, Kansas.

Welcome to Colorful Colorado by Katie Larson. Kansas City, Kansas.

Welcome to Colorful Colorado by Katie Larson. Kansas City, Kansas.

Welcome to Colorful Colorado by Katie Larson. Kansas City, Kansas.

Aura Blue by Jaime David. Roeland Park, Kansas

Aura Blue by Jaime David. Roeland Park, Kansas

Aura Blue by Jaime David. Roeland Park, Kansas

Aura Blue by Jaime David. Roeland Park, Kansas

And the Moon at Night by Colleen Molen. Brentwood, California.

And the Moon at Night by Colleen Molen. Brentwood, California.

And the Moon at Night by Colleen Molen. Brentwood, California.

And the Moon at Night by Colleen Molen. Brentwood, California.

Fish Tails by Kristen Ballou. Kent, Washington.

Fish Tails by Kristen Ballou. Kent, Washington.

Vega by Cynthia Whitten. Ladera Ranch, California. Quilted by Helen Baczynski.

Vega by Cynthia Whitten. Ladera Ranch, California. Quilted by Helen Baczynski.

Texas Forever by Corinne Sovey. Austin, Texas.

Texas Forever by Corinne Sovey. Austin, Texas.

Texas Forever by Corinne Sovey. Austin, Texas.

Texas Forever by Corinne Sovey. Austin, Texas.

Starry Eyed by Caroline Fairbanks-Critchfield. Palm Bay, Florida.

Starry Eyed by Caroline Fairbanks-Critchfield. Palm Bay, Florida.

Starry Eyed by Caroline Fairbanks-Critchfield. Palm Bay, Florida.

Starry Eyed by Caroline Fairbanks-Critchfield. Palm Bay, Florida.

Icy Waters by Amy Garro. Indianapolis, Indiana. Quilted by Angela Walters.

Icy Waters by Amy Garro. Indianapolis, Indiana. Quilted by Angela Walters.

Icy Waters by Amy Garro. Indianapolis, Indiana. Quilted by Angela Walters.

Icy Waters by Amy Garro. Indianapolis, Indiana. Quilted by Angela Walters.

Disruption by Barbara Lockwood. Erie, Pennsylvania.

Disruption by Barbara Lockwood. Erie, Pennsylvania.

Disruption by Barbara Lockwood. Erie, Pennsylvania.

Disruption by Barbara Lockwood. Erie, Pennsylvania.

Iceberg by Crystal McGann. Kambah, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.

Iceberg by Crystal McGann. Kambah, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.

Iceberg by Crystal McGann. Kambah, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.

Iceberg by Crystal McGann. Kambah, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.

Whirling Dervish by Elizabeth Dackson. Land O Lakes, Florida.

Whirling Dervish by Elizabeth Dackson. Land O Lakes, Florida.

Whirling Dervish by Elizabeth Dackson. Land O Lakes, Florida.

Whirling Dervish by Elizabeth Dackson. Land O Lakes, Florida.

Vega by Cynthia Whitten. Ladera Ranch, California. Quilted by Helen Baczynski.

Vega by Cynthia Whitten. Ladera Ranch, California. Quilted by Helen Baczynski.

Vega by Cynthia Whitten. Ladera Ranch, California. Quilted by Helen Baczynski.

Vega by Cynthia Whitten. Ladera Ranch, California. Quilted by Helen Baczynski.

The Mona Lisa by Rowena Bayliss. Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK.

The Mona Lisa by Rowena Bayliss. Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK.

The Mona Lisa by Rowena Bayliss. Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK.

The Mona Lisa by Rowena Bayliss. Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK.

Peace by Leanne Chahley. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Peace by Leanne Chahley. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Peace by Leanne Chahley. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Peace by Leanne Chahley. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Cascade Quilt by Kristi Schroeder. Dallas, Texas.

Cascade Quilt by Kristi Schroeder. Dallas, Texas.

Cascade Quilt by Kristi Schroeder. Dallas, Texas.

Cascade Quilt by Kristi Schroeder. Dallas, Texas.

Knit Snippet by Lotje Meijknecht. Leiden, Netherlands.

Knit Snippet by Lotje Meijknecht. Leiden, Netherlands.

Knit Snippet by Lotje Meijknecht. Leiden, Netherlands.

Knit Snippet by Lotje Meijknecht. Leiden, Netherlands.

Sam and Suzy by Megan Callahan. Bakersfield, California. Quilted by Elizabeth Hartman

Sam and Suzy by Megan Callahan. Bakersfield, California. Quilted by Elizabeth Hartman

Sam and Suzy by Megan Callahan. Bakersfield, California. Quilted by Elizabeth Hartman

Sam and Suzy by Megan Callahan. Bakersfield, California. Quilted by Elizabeth Hartman

The Power of Three by Kristin Shields. Bend, Oregon.

The Power of Three by Kristin Shields. Bend, Oregon.

The Power of Three by Kristin Shields. Bend, Oregon.

The Power of Three by Kristin Shields. Bend, Oregon.

48 by Christa Watson. Las Vegas, Nevada.

48 by Christa Watson. Las Vegas, Nevada.

48 by Christa Watson. Las Vegas, Nevada.

48 by Christa Watson. Las Vegas, Nevada.

QuiltCon 2015: Handwork category quilts

Yes, handwork and modern quilting do go hand in hand.  Actually almost all quilting traditions and techniques can be seen in some way in the quilts at QuiltCon and other modern quilting exhibitions.  Maybe it’s the aesthetic that defines the modern quilting “movement”?, and that in itself is also broad. But there is definitely something going on! And I like it.

The Handwork category was sponsored by Sulky. There was more than one quilt (and even in other categories) that were made as a call to create quilts using one of Sherri Lynn Wood’s improv scores from her new book The Improv Handbook for the Modern Quilter.   To honor that we’ll start out with one of Sherri Lynn Wood’s quilts and will end, as usual, with the winners of the category.

Here are the quilts from the handwork category, QuiltCon 2015:

Score For Bias Strip Petals: Daisy by Sherri Lynn Wood. Oakland, California

Score For Bias Strip Petals: Daisy by Sherri Lynn Wood. Oakland, California

Score For Bias Strip Petals: Daisy by Sherri Lynn Wood. Oakland, California

Score For Bias Strip Petals: Daisy by Sherri Lynn Wood. Oakland, California

Syncopation Quilt by Jean Cockburn. Denman Island, British Columbia, Canada.

Syncopation Quilt by Jean Cockburn. Denman Island, British Columbia, Canada.

Syncopation Quilt by Jean Cockburn. Denman Island, British Columbia, Canada.

Syncopation Quilt by Jean Cockburn. Denman Island, British Columbia, Canada.

Funky Junk by Renee Tallman. Aptos, California.

Funky Junk by Renee Tallman. Aptos, California.

Funky Junk by Renee Tallman. Aptos, California.

Funky Junk by Renee Tallman. Aptos, California.

Geometric Rainbow by Nicole Daksiewicz. Chicago, Illinois.

Geometric Rainbow by Nicole Daksiewicz. Chicago, Illinois.

Geometric Rainbow by Nicole Daksiewicz. Chicago, Illinois.

Geometric Rainbow by Nicole Daksiewicz. Chicago, Illinois.

Fernweh by Madeleine Roberg. Lincoln, Nebraska.

Fernweh by Madeleine Roberg. Lincoln, Nebraska.

Fernweh by Madeleine Roberg. Lincoln, Nebraska.

Fernweh by Madeleine Roberg. Lincoln, Nebraska.

Improv Log Cabin by Tara Faughnan. Oakland, California.

Improv Log Cabin by Tara Faughnan. Oakland, California.

Improv Log Cabin by Tara Faughnan. Oakland, California.

Improv Log Cabin by Tara Faughnan. Oakland, California.

Fill the Void by Cinzia Allocca. Pierrefonds, Quebec, Canada

Fill the Void by Cinzia Allocca. Pierrefonds, Quebec, Canada

Fill the Void by Cinzia Allocca. Pierrefonds, Quebec, Canada

Fill the Void by Cinzia Allocca. Pierrefonds, Quebec, Canada

Citrus Wedge by Jen Carlton Bailly. Portland, Oregon.

Citrus Wedge by Jen Carlton Bailly. Portland, Oregon.

Citrus Wedge by Jen Carlton Bailly. Portland, Oregon.

Citrus Wedge by Jen Carlton Bailly. Portland, Oregon.

Sunset Waves by Laura Hartrich. Oak Park, Illinois.

Sunset Waves by Laura Hartrich. Oak Park, Illinois.

Sunset Waves by Laura Hartrich. Oak Park, Illinois.

Sunset Waves by Laura Hartrich. Oak Park, Illinois.

North Alabama Hillsides by Cathy Fussel. Columbus, Georgia. 2nd Place, Handwork Category, QuiltCon 2015

North Alabama Hillsides by Cathy Fussel. Columbus, Georgia. 2nd Place, Handwork Category, QuiltCon 2015

North Alabama Hillsides by Cathy Fussel. Columbus, Georgia. 2nd Place, Handwork Category, QuiltCon 2015

North Alabama Hillsides by Cathy Fussel. Columbus, Georgia. 2nd Place, Handwork Category, QuiltCon 2015

Fuzhou Fujian by Patricia Lutteral. Martinez, Buenos Aries, Argentina. 1st place, Handwork Category, QuiltCon 2015

Fuzhou Fujian by Patricia Lutteral. Martinez, Buenos Aries, Argentina. 1st place, Handwork Category, QuiltCon 2015

Fuzhou Fujian by Patricia Lutteral. Martinez, Buenos Aries, Argentina. 1st place, Handwork Category, QuiltCon 2015

Fuzhou Fujian by Patricia Lutteral. Martinez, Buenos Aries, Argentina. 1st place, Handwork Category, QuiltCon 2015