Curated Quilts Issue No. 11: Appliqué is available now. We hope you enjoy the collection of appliqué quilts, the historical perspective surrounding the medium of appliqué, and the included patterns curated for your enjoyment.
The term ‘appliqué’ is derived from the French and Latin words appliquer and applicare, which both mean to join or attach. Within the world of quilting, appliqué is ornamental needlework in which pieces of fabric are sewn or stuck onto a large piece of fabric to form pictures or patterns. Here are some of the appliqué quilts that exhibited at QuiltCon 2020:
Put On a Sweater by Lucy Vail
Whether or not you’re a fan of President Jimmy Carter, the execution and skill displayed in this quilt is fantastic. By using a combination of needle-turn appliqué and tiny little circles of varying shades of gray and white machine sewn on, Vail was able to create a remarkable resemblance to the face of the 39th president. Carter was known to use the phrase, “Put on a sweater,’ to encourage individuals to conserve energy.
Himalaya by Deborah Krajkowski @deborahkrajkowski
The bright colors ofHimalaya paired with curving triangle shapes create a feeling of waving flags reminiscent of the Tibetian prayer flags found strung along the trails and peaks high in the Himalayas.
What Lies Beneath by Kristin Shields @kristenshields
This quilt was made for the Central Oregon SAQA challenge themeBeneath the Surface. Shields was inspired by Mid-Century Modern design. The embroidery details added to the quilt give the whimsical, abstract flowers a life of their own.
Manicured Gardens by Michelle Wilkie @ml_wilkie
Manicured Gardenswas inspired by the gardens of Schwetzingen Castle in Germany. Wilkie describes that walking through the gardens was like walking through a wonderland. The blocks are of original design and resemble some of the shapes that can be seen from an aerial view of the gardens.
100 Days Down the Rabbit Holeby Jacqueline Skarritt @jskarritt
Skamitt challenged herself to use the same three colors plus gray in each block. She appliquéd individual blocks first, then added batting, and finally, the block was quilted. The light shading used on the corner blocks of this quilt creates a sense of the ethereal and softens the bold, saturated colors used in the middle of the quilt.
Roads, Rails, and Trails by Barbara Oliver Hartman @barbaraoliverhartman
Hartman’s roads, rails, and trails are ones of tranquility. The soft-colored abstract swirls flow across the quilt and leave one feeling peaceful.
Balancing Act II by Mary Kay Fosnacht @mfosnacht
Artist Statement: “Balancing Act II is a reflection of the components of our lives that we strive to keep in balance. Sometimes life is a struggle, sometimes it is a joy. With varying degrees of success, we try to keep ourselves and those around us in balance.”
Happiness by Anna Martin @littlemakerystudio
Martin says aboutHappiness that she drew a sketch of this quilt years before she had the skills to create it, but she knew she would one day. There is certainly happiness to be found in the blooming of an idea not yet realized, but after a time of growth, the idea is brought to fruition.
By Brittany Bowen Burton
To see more inspiring appliqué quilts, get your physical or digital copy ofCurated Quilts: Issue No. 11, Appliqué