Crosstown Arts Quilt Show, Part 3

Memphis Blues

Last winter Crosstown Arts in Memphis sent out an invitation to quilters within a 200-mile radius of Memphis to submit one or more quilts for a summer show.  The only requirements were (1) the quilts had to be 24" square, and (2) they had to be blue.  Some were arty, some traditional.  There was a quilt by someone who also had a quilt in the Art Quilts show, one by a teenage boy, one by a group of kids.

The quilts were hung in columns of 3, so it was hard to get photos of the ones on top,  There were 230 in all!  I didn't take photos of all of them -- my poor phone was barely limping along at this point.  There was no handout with information about the quilts, so most are shown here with only my own comments.

I'll start with one of my two favorites and end with the other.  Enjoy them and everything in between!

Antarctica was created by a high-school boy.  What I truly love is that it is quilting in reverse.  Look closely -- this is a wholecloth quilt made with a single piece of white fabric.  As a geographer and a quilter, I was entranced.

A wholecloth quilt with beautiful free-motion quilting.

Close-up of the previous photo.

This was by a quilter who also showed in the art quilts exhibit.  You can see that the apparent curves are created by very small change in the sizes of the horizontal strips.

Yes, these are miniscule pieced squares, giving the appearance of a cross-stitch.

Close-up of previous quilt.

Captivating straight-line quilting.

Close-up of pineapple quilt above.

Needle-turn applique.  Wonderful quilting enhances the appearance of a koi pond.

This quilt held me for a long time.  How I wish that I could have learned more about how it was made and what inspired the quilter.  Machine- and hand-stitched, hand-appliqued and quilted.

Close-up of the girl fishing.

The fish in the river, considering the lure.

Satin fabric, machine appiqued and quilted.

Close-up of previous quilt.

A traditional sampler quilt with whimsical touches.

Beautiful use of similar fabrics to add depth.

Close-up of previous quilt.

Hand-stitching adds nice texture.

Use of alternative materials, both hard (shells) and soft (tulle) bring this quilt to life.

And finally, one of my favorites from this exhibit.  How can you not love the invention and humor while meeting the show's requirements.  Anonymous quilter, I love you!

I'm already hoping that the Crosstown Arts quilt show will become an annual event!  If it does, you can visit it here again next year!