SAQA: Abstraction: Textural Elements

The last exhibit from the Atlanta Sewing and Quilt Expo was a SAQA exhibit called “Abstraction: Textural Elements.

Here are a few favorites…..

“Stepping Stones #3: Rockslide” by Jan Soules

I appreciate the improvisational piecing….especially since it is something I CAN NOT do!!

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“Structures III” b y Judy Langille

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“Blue/Orange Angles” by Jane Quimby

I love this quilt!! It appears to be fractured with the yellows seeping thru the fractures.

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“Color Play” Mayte Collard

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“Iridescence” by Julie Lisa Reuben

It it so fun to see how the fabric colors change based on the color of the thread overlaid…..

I MUST try this sometime!!

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“Just Because” by Lucy Engels

I particularly appreciate how the direction of the quilting lines in the triangles adds so much to the piece.

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“Seeking Simplicity: Threads 4” by Lynn Seaman

Similar to “Iridescence” (above), much of this design is due to changes in thread color…

Well, that finishes up the Atlanta Sewing & Quilting Expo, but don’t worry……

…..there are hundreds of photos from Paducah to show!!

Stay tuned….

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One of my favorite things about quilting is motivating others and helping them in their quilting journey. As part of this endeavor, I LOVE to present programs and workshops to groups and guilds around the world. All of my programs work well with Zoom meetings, and I would love to speak to your group.

You can find out more at this link…..

Report from Paducah…..

As I mentioned last week, I had the opportunity to spend a couple of days in Paducah, KY, enjoying the town’s quilting ambiance.

After a 7.5-hour drive, I arrived in time to visit the National Quilt Museum. They had 4 wonderful exhibits on tap, including quilts from Tula Pink and Janet Stone. I will be sharing about all four exhibits in future posts.

I loved my day at the AQS show!!

The Paducah show is different from any other I have ever attended!! I don’t believe that you go to Paducah solely for the QUILTS, although they are spectacular.

You go for the atmosphere and for the enjoyment of meeting and visiting with quilters from all around the country. In a single day, I spent time with 6 individuals or groups. These weren’t casual conversations. We talked at length about where we were from and about our quilting journey. It was refreshing that everyone was so relaxed and willing to SPEND THE TIME with someone new!!

It was great fun to see the 2027 calendar and find my quilt in November…..

I had a marvelous time pretending to be a star and signing the page holding my offering…

It was also fun to meet the other women sharing the 4th-quarter months…

Alas, I only had one day at the show, so I made my 7.5-hour journey BACK home the next day. While this trip seemed longer than the first drive, it was spent dreaming of things to come!!

There is much to show from these two days, but I am going to do it slowly and over the next few months. In particular, we will be traveling to Africa in June, and I think those 17 days will be the perfect opportunity to share what I saw!!

So…..stay tuned…..good things are coming!!

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If you don’t want to miss my personal tour of the AQS Show in Paducah, be sure to subscribe…….

Freespirit Fabric Challenge

This exhibit from the Sewing and Quilting Expo was presented by Handi Quilter, and showed quilts from a challenge using Freespirit fabrics…..

This first one used the fabrics well….

“Lotus Garden” by Iris Noitalay

…but the REAL excitement came from the quilting….

It was done on a longarm, but worked as free-motion and not a digital design.

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#nouterusclub” by Kristina Whitney

Once again, the quilting steals the show…..

This “border design” would be a fun one to try!!

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“Naples Mosaic” by Karen Woolley

The quilting is also magnificent on this one, but since this is sponsored by “Handi-quilter”, I guess that makes sense!!

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“(Free Spirited Bell Pulls” by Jeannine Grabowska

LOVE the bell pulls…they make the quilt!!

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“Every Which Way” by Kim Sandberg

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“Challenge Quilt” by Karen King

The elegance of this quilt is overwhelming!!

As you might imagine, this was my favorite exhibit!!

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Sewing & Quilt Expo Quilt Contest

These are some of the quilts that were juried into the 2025 Sewing & Quilt Expo contest…..

“Tarnished Windmill” by Lisa Storm, quilted by Dewey Godwin

There is some EXCELLENT free-motion quilting on this piece….

That is a LOT of pebbles!!!

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“My Inspiration” by Myrya Johnson

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“Whispering Willow Bay” by Cindy Baker

This quilt started out as an Ice-dyed fabric that went wrong….. nice save!!

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“Southern Spin” by Denniel Bohannon, quilted by Becky Collis

These blocks were part of a monthly challenge from Barbara Brackman. Wouldn’t that be fun to participate in?

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“All By Myself” by Kristin Driscoll

I found the bird’s construction interesting…

The fabrics were fused onto an open grid, giving a bit of shadow behind the individual pieces.

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“The Animals Bonfire” by Linda McDonough

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On the road to Paducah…

As this post goes live, I will be in my car, headed to Paducah, Kentucky, for the American Quilt Society Show.

I have hours of books teed up on Audible, several podcasts to catch up on, and lots of quilt dreaming to do during my 7-hour drive.

I look forward to crossing under this “Flying Geese” bridge, which announces that I AM in QUILT COUNTRY!!

My hope is to arrive early enough to spend some time at the National Quilt Museum….

…..and then make my way to the hotel for a good night’s sleep before a day full of fun and fellowship with quilters!!

Remember, at 2:00pm on Wednesday, I will be signing copies of the 2027 AQS calendar along with the other quilters whose work is featured. If you’re there, please come find me—I’d truly love to say hello!

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If you don’t want to miss my personal tour of the AQS Show in Paducah, be sure to subscribe…….