Sunflower Theme Winning Quilts
The National Quilt Museum announces 18 winning quilts from the 2010 An Old Favorite Contest.
on exhibit Mar. 19 – June 15, 2010 and traveling through Dec. 2011.
Gypsy Caravans by Claudia Clark Myers
The National Quilt Museum has announced the 18 winning quilts of the 2010 Sunflower-themed New Quilts from an Old Favorite contest.
These quilts represent quilters from 11 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces.
Sponsored by Clover Needlecraft Inc., Fairfield Processing Corp. and Janome America Inc., this contest challenges quilt makers to create original quilts based on a specific quilt pattern.
The traditional Sunflower pattern is one of the many flowers interpreted by 19th century quilt makers. Some of today’s brightest art quilters have modified the design in imaginative ways, providing a wonderful look at the skills, techniques and creativity of today’s quilt makers.
An asymmetrical design flowing beyond the bottom border is the foundation of the first place quilt, “Gypsy Caravans” by Claudia Clark Myers of Duluth, Minn., and Marilyn Badger of St. George, Utah. The rich palette of teal, turquoise and cheddar is offset by taupe and black with sequins and faux “jewels” adding a touch of the exotic.
Second place went to Geri Parker and Kathy McNeil of Coupeville, Wash., for their quilt “Sun Flower Duet” featuring multiple sunflowers on a shaded purple ground.
“Leaning on the Fence” by Sharon Rotz of Mosinee, Wis., took third place, incorporating eight different Sunflower patterns and an abstract fence.
To take fourth place the team of Ann Feitelson and Ronna Erickson of Montague, Mass., created “Rising and Radiant,” a straightforward pattern gone wild by the use of electric green, hot orange, purple and burgundy striped fabrics.
Canadians Marion Perrault and Helena Scheffer of Beaconsfield, Quebec, took fifth for their quilt “Sunflower Sutra,” which depicts a single large sunflower lifting its face to the sun against a vivid turquoise background.
Other quilts which will be featured in the exhibit include:
“Follow the Sun (on Route 66),” Kathryn Botsford, British Columbia, Canada.
“Crowing for Sunflowers,” Jill Bryant and Nancy Brown, Chesterfield, Mo.
“The Prodigal Sunflower,” Donnah Burke, Kirkland, Wash.
“3-D Sunflowers,” Martha DeLeonardis, Katy, Texas.
“Midnight in the Garden of Good and Nouveau,” Robin Gausebeck, Rockford, Ill.
“The Desert Shall Rejoice,” Julia Graber, Brooksville, Miss.
“Flora,” Mary Ann Herndon, The Woodlands, Texas.
“Trickster in the Garden,” Patricia Hobbs, Macomb, Ill.
“Southern Borders,” Ann L. Horton, Redwood Valley, Calif.
“Welcoming the Son Into Our Garden,” Chris Lynn Kirsch and Wendy Rieves, Watertown, Wis.
“No Forwarding Address,” Theresa Reeves, Oberlin, Kan.
“Navajo Sunflower,” Karen R. Watts, Houston.
“Graffitti, Sunflowers & Bricks,” Judy and Bill Woodworth, Gering, Neb.