QuiltCon 2020 is almost here! Recently I remembered taking a number of photos of quilts from the 2019 Modern Quilt Guild Charity Quilt Challenge and never shared them. Better late than never!
Each year, the Modern Quilt Guild encourages local chapters from around the world and individual members (forming teams) to design and create a quilt within the year’s theme and color palette. Guilds and groups then send in their quilt and it is displayed in the charity quilt exhibit at QuiltCon. After QuiltCon, the quilt is returned to the guild/group and they decide what to do with the quilt. Some groups raffle it off, with the proceeds going to a charitable group of their choice. Others donate the quilt to a charity.
Last year’s theme was was small piecing and the color palette was:
Here are just nine of my favorites shown at QuiltCon 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee:
Statement: This wonky, improvisational wedge design was inspired by Elizabeth Hartman’s “Xylophone” quilt pattern using EQ8 (permission to use pattern given by Elizabeth Hartman). The wonky blocks are comprised of narrow wedges which are offset when sewn together. The colored wedges are surrounded with aqua background fabric to make them appear to float. All Painters Palette Solid fabrics used in this quilt were donated by PB Studios.
Statement: Our guild worked with our recipient, Change the World RVA, from the beginning of the quilt-making process. The mission for this non-profit is to address the needs of high school and college students facing homelessness in Richmond, Virginia. The quilt will be auctioned with the proceeds going to that mission. The group’s logo includes flying geese shapes, so our designer, Wanda Dotson, took that as inspiration. Each block was creatively constructed by a member of the guild. During the guild’s annual quilting retreat, the quilting team assembled the blocks into the final layout of the quilt. Then Margaret Griffiths worked her quilting magic on it, accentuating the flying geese motif. The overall design and quilting emphasize Change the World RVA’s mission to help these students fly. The Central Virginia Modern Guild quilters are so honored to share this quilt and charity at QuiltCon.
Statement: This quilt is entitled Wind + Reed to emphasize similar elements in the design to light peeking through tall grass reeds as they shift in the wind. The design began with a base of half square triangles, usually used to create regimented repeating designs and reorganizes them to create a flow of movement. The purple fades upward to help move the viewers eye along, with slices to add a subtle interruption in the flow. The design creates an asymmetrical look, with a strong contrast between the dense piecing to vast amount of negative space.
Statement: As a small guild, we collaborated on the concept, as it embodies the principles of a modern quilt and offered a challenge for our members. While working on the design, the dandelions were abundant on the Island. Over a few sew-ins and after careful consideration along the way, members working on this quilt were enjoying improve piecing and trying different techniques to represent the flower getting ready to be on the breeze in search of new grounds. This quilt was truly a collaborative effort. Pieced by Heather, Cathy, Dawn, Jean, Janet, Velda, and Linda. Designed by Heather Jarman and machine quilted by Colleen Henderson.
Statement: Each person has their own journey. As we make our way down our own path, we catch glimpses of other’s life, most likely nothing more than a peek through a window whose curtains aren’t quite drawn. We never know the whole story. If we keep this in mind, it can help us be more patient, understanding, and above all, kind. Designer: Mariana Diaz. Quilter: Sarah Oliver & Heather Scott.
Statement: In Philadelphia, geese may be just as symbolic as the Liberty Bell. When you see the geese logo on a particular convenience store, you know you’re home! For our QuiltCon Charity Quilt, we chose a flying geese motif to symbolize that every true Philadelphian has a tiny spot in their heart for Wawa! We quilters flocked together and transformed our tiny paper pieced geese into an avian waterfall that has now flown south to the Honky Tonk town of Nashville, Tennessee to be shown in all its glory before it takes flight to our charity of choice, Salus University in Philadelphia, PA. Designed, assembled and quilted by: Sarah Bond. Pieced by Haley Crawford, Nichole Godshall-Folino, Maryellen Grysewicz, Kathryn James, Eliza Jones, Maureen Kaden, Bobbi Penman, Ruth Penning, Janet Perry, Jordyn Rush, and Debbie Woodworth.
Statement: “Pieces of Us” was inspired by a map depicting all zip codes that contain DCMQG membership in the national capital region. The greater metropolitan area of DC-Maryland-Virginia can seem far flung at times but, in the end, fabric and fiber weaves through us all and we feel like a close group of like-minding, modern makers! Members sewed improvisationally with small pieces of colored fabric and those segments were used to represent areas where DCMQG members live in all the cities, suburbs, and states that make up the diverse Washington, D.C. region. Appliqué and reverse applique techniques were used to place the zip code areas and Potomac and Anacostia Rivers on a neutral background grid.
Statement: This quilt is comprised of approximately 14,000 tiny pieces sewn together in an improvisational fashion. There are 48 blocks total with about 300 pieces sewn together in each block. The color palette reminds us of sea glass and the design is a modern tessellation. The quilting is a random wave pattern that carries on the sea glass theme. Design by Paula Hagan (@sewmodernchicky), quilted by Laura Bezares (@wicked_awesome_quilting) and completed by members of the Jacksonville Modern Quilt Guild (@jaxmqg).
Statement: Snow Wonky is what happens when you have 24 eager sewists and no plan. Let’s do wonky crosses and see what happens. Behold, this is what happens. 720 blocks all made with solids, mostly Snow, pieced over 2 days by the guild and quilted by Kelly Orr.
Want to see more charity quilts?
Visit the official 2019 QuiltCon Charity Quilts showcase page.
Want more quilts?
Check out the 2017 Modern Quilt Showcase.
Check out the 2018 Modern Quilt Showcase.
Check out the 2018 Best of QuiltCon traveling exhibit.
Check out 20 modern quilts from QuiltCon 2019.
Check out the 2019 Modern Quilt Showcase.
