When people see my abstract tree quilts, I am often asked if I ever make birch tree art quilts. I haven’t until now. I just finished my first one. My hurdle up until now has been the fabric for the birch trees. There are many very realistic fabrics out there and some quilters simply cut out
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Author Archives: sharon
A new approach to a headboard wall quilt
I hear from people at art festivals that they like a particular quilt but they believe it isn’t big enough for above their bed or above their sofa where they would like some art. I can easily make larger (wider) quilts, more suitable for above sofa and bed headboards BUT….and this is a big BUT…..people have very specific color
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Curved Edges in a Triptych
This week I designed a triptych wall quilt made of all vertical curved piecing. I used the same 10 fabrics in these three quilts, coordinated so the design and color coordination carries through across the three quilts. I added another element of “curves” by curving the sides and then matching the curves of the sides to
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Curved quilt piecing
CURVED PIECING is one of my favorite characteristics of contemporary quilting. Traditional quilting relies almost completely on straight edge piecing but unlimited options open up when you begin to sew curves. Curves can be small wiggles or whole circles though often whole circles are made with four blocks of quarter circles (see quilt in photo). Curved
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Interior Design with Art Quilts
I participated in my first fine arts festival the last weekend in May. It was an opportunity to learn from accomplished artists about booth displays. One of the tips I went home with was that I should have a small section of my booth set aside for some photos of how and where to hang art quilts.
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Contemporary Quilting Speaks to Me!
I live in rural central Pennsylvania, traditional quilting central. We have quilt guilds in just about every county and a bounty of beautiful Amish quilts from our German heritage. Sometimes to merely suggest designing and creating contemporary quilts feels almost sacrilegious. But contemporary designs just speak to me! Recently I tried to communicate my passion, interest
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Art Quilt Inspiration is Everywhere!
Many people ask where do I get my inspiration for the quilts I make. The simple answer is EVERYWHERE! One of my first and continuing sources of inspiration are the awesome sunsets we enjoy from our west facing deck. The layers of color, the linear yet slightly curved strips of color, it all scream “This could
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Festival Experience a Great Source of Ideas
We have returned from Crozet, Virginia having had a SUPER festival!! I sold 11 quilts which is outstanding and exciting. I must have spoken with over a dozen quilters too which is energizing. It is fun to see the expressions on the faces of traditional quilters when they see my quilts, so NOT traditional. We
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Crozet Arts Festival Prep
I only participate in five festivals a year but three of them are in late April and May. My next festival is in Crozet Virginia. This festival is celebrating its 35th year which is incredible!! The Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival is sponsored and managed by a non-profit community group. It is about a 5
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