Exhibit Labels for Village Quilter’s 2023 Exhibition and Competition

Exhibit Labels for
Village Quilter’s 2023
Exhibition and Competition

I had the fantastic opportunity to interview the fabric/textile artist and research common quilting vernacular to write her story via her exhibit labels. My goal was to provide information about the artist’s creative inspiration, personal background, and historical documentation on the wall hangings and quilts for the judges, ticketholders, and appraisers in attendance.

Note: I chose to write in the first person, as the artist liked the idea of speaking directly to the viewer as they viewed the exhibit.

SUGAR SKULL SERIES: PURPLE SUGAR SKULL

With cheekbones to die for, subtle texture from buttons and beads, and a richly textured crown of red flowers, the contrast of the yellow and the purple creates a phosphorescent quality to the feminine shapes and forms used to create this face.

SUGAR SKULL SERIES: YELLOW SUGAR SKULL

From the dynamically shaped eyes embellished with tiny buttons to the intricate hand-cut filigree, the adorable curly blue mustache, and the visual impact of the flowers anchoring the skull at the forehead and chin, this face is a creative exploration of contrast and dimension.

SUGAR SKULL SERIES: BLUE SUGAR SKULL

From the delicate petals of the flowers to the supple texture of the leather, every element was chosen to craft a symphony of texture, color, and form. I chose the intricate arrangement of beads, buttons, and flowers to add depth and dimension to this face.

FACE-TIME

When I saw this Alexander Henry Material, I found the caricatures of female faces inspiring and waited for the right project to use them. 

After working on the Tulips quilt, I was inspired to use a variation of the Missouri Star Quilt Company Squares On Point method as an applique to feature Alexander Henry’s fabric, allowing the pattern to remain unaltered as a design feature. 

TULIPS

I came across Cheryl Wittmayer’s Tulip Wreath a decade ago – sporting undulating tulips with lovely curved stems, but I felt I could do better with the background that was included in the pattern. 

A method from Missouri Star Quilt Company turned out to be the perfect foundation for the appliquéd tulips, and I enjoyed adding a feminist twist with the fabric choices I made with Squares on Point. 

I loved the realistic play of the curved stems of the feminine flowers, and the beauty of the contrast of the shapes against the grid of the squares on point design. 

If you’re lucky enough to sleep under this quilt, you will be surprised by the lovely faces and positive, inspirational quotes in the fabrics I chose for the back, as well.

WANDERLUST

The undulating, high-contrast lines of the quilting in “Wanderlust, ” inspired by a fabric sourced from an Australian company, evoke the spirit of adventure in the title and the urge to break free from everyday life and to experience something new and exciting. 

The medallion that focuses and inspires the innovatively shaped piece came together over time, starting from a class at The Clearing in Wisconsin, and resurfacing with the inspiration of Susan Cleveland’s Prairie Points. The texture of the beads, and shells and the character of  the multiple fabric prints add dimension to the medallion, bringing focus to the wandering spirit that it embodies.

RED/WHITE RUBY CELEBRATION QUILT

The non-traditional, modern style quilt pattern called "Confetti Squares" by [pattern maker] named “mamacjt” had been waiting on my to-do shelf for some time. It required the perfect challenge to bring out the dynamic and almost vibrating motion illusion of the design, and the Red/White Ruby Celebration Challenge was the perfect fit.

The variable dimensions of the red blocks, trick your eyes into perceiving the motion of falling streams of confetti through the illusion of undulating waves.