Chicago Quilt Festival

Here are a few favorites from the Chicago Quilt Festival.













I seem to prefer blended color effects over strong graphic designs, and do I love the Japanese quilts! Their intricacy, subtlety, and lack of formal balance just knocks me over. The best part of the show was the Husquavarna Challenge exhibit, and another special exhibit called In Fine Focus, consisting of small pieces, less then 10x 12 inches. A great deal of variety of style, technique, and subject was present in these two exhibits. No photographs were allowed in either one of these so I can't share, but if anyone has a chance to see either one, don't pass it up. The $100,000 Challenge winner was also on display in the vendor's area. I was glad of that since the white wholecloth doesn't photograph terribly well. It's a beautiful quilt, and I have no quarrel with it being chosen but I heard some negative comments. I think some people don't appreciate the skill and artistry required in that kind of machine quilting, not to mention the design.

Debbi at Dubiquilts has posted many more photos, complete with information. She's much more organized and patient than I am.

I enjoyed the show more this year than last. Last year included a large exhibit of Amish quilts, which seemed rather ho-hum to me, and decreased the space available for other work. This year seemed to have a good balance of tradition and innovation with something for everyone. And of course, there were vendors, and more vendors, and more vendors...