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By Mary Beth Krapil
I had the privilege of attending the Quilter’s Unlimited Show in Chantilly, VA last week. As I walked through the quilts, enjoying the wonderful creativity; this quilt caught my eye. It had an unusual embellishment that I had never seen used on a quilt before.
That is an actual knitted cap attached to the quilt! Very unique.
Shortly after that, I saw this quilt:
It has silk flower elements and what appeared to me, as actual corn husks sewn to the quilt ( click for info here, this is super easy to make ). My first thought was: “Now that’s a job for the HQ Glide foot!”. If you are not familiar with the Glide foot, this is what it looks like:
It’s a super cool, bowl shaped foot that easily glides around or over appliqué or dimensional embellishments on a quilt. It is also great for pantograph or Groovy Board work. It will not flip the basted edges if you stitch off the edge of the quilt and it will not get caught in an open seam; both important features when you are working from the back of the machine and don’t have eyes on the quilt. The same advantages work for Pro Stitcher users! I also love using it to stitch my plumb line across the batting and backing, no batting bunching up in front of the foot!
My interest was piqued and I continued to look for more embellished quilts. And I found plenty! I took lots of photos to share with you. Some had embellishments that we have all seen before. I loved the artistry in using usual things like buttons and beads to create illusions on the quilts.
Martha used lace, buttons and beads to create a distinct wintry feel to this quilt.
I love the way Dotty used a shear fabric to create the illusion of an alligator half submerged in water.
More buttons, beads and lace on these quilts.
Sheilana used hand dyed silk to create the plume of a launching rocket.
Linda used paint and couched wire to create the diaphanous “wings” of the fish. The center of this quilt is free floating, almost like a mobile.
Dandelion Wishes by Kathy John of Rindge, NH
Kathy used Angelina fibers for her dandelions.
detail of B is for Bejeweled by Beth Richardson
This quilt really had some bling! Beth incorporated a metallic shiny fabric and tons of jewels.
Christine included a silk grid woven with silk ribbons and a crane fashioned from metallic wire.
Laura placed embroidered patches on the astronaut’s space suit for a realistic look. There is also a really cool quilted eagle in the upper left.
Leather, faux leather and grommets, not to mention the fish net stockings in this one by Kerry
Denise used some sort of eyelash fibers to effectively create the illusion of a soft grassy area at the bottom of the quilt.
Then there’s the yoyo’s. We can’t forget the yoyo’s! Kath used the pink ones to spell “Yo”.
What’s on your quilt?