2014 Minnesota Quilters' Show & Conference

About a month ago, I had the pleasure of traveling two hours each way to attend the Minnesota Quilters' Show and Conference in St. Cloud. Two hours? Each way? Are you nuts, Sally? Uh, yep. But if you were able to see those gorgeous quilts, you would do it, too.

The show had a juried section, a non-juried section and another section with various groupings. Plus they had rows and rows of vendors selling fabrics, quilting supplies, and machines.

I only had my cell phone with me so many of the photos I took didn't turn out. I will share some of the ones that did. Under each photo, I will share what was written on the information card for the quilt.

Juried Quilts

This was one of my favorites. The details were simply amazing! Look closely.

"Breaking Wind" by Peggy Kragnes - Felton, Minnesota

Pieced by Peggy Kragnes, Quilted by Peggy Kragnes. Not necessarily a Sunbonnet Sue fan, the idea for this quilt was born during a sleepless night. I enjoyed every aspect of making this quilt (these quilts!) including hiding various things in the quilting. I hope it makes you smile.

This was a beautiful quilt with embellishments on it. The photo doesn't do it justice at all. I was surprised to see that it was made by a lady from Washington state. Since this was one of the first quilts I looked at, I expected the show to be only Minnesota quilters.

"Jingle Bells" by Kathy McNeil - Tulalip, Washington

Pieced by Kathy McNeil, Quilted by Kathy McNeil. Memories of a family Christmas sleigh ride. I really wanted to make the snow look like a watercolor painting done with fabric. Techniques include hand applique, beading, over dying with fabric paint crayons, machine and hand embroidery, embellishments of year, chain link, hot fix crystals and sequins.

As soon as I saw this quilt, I was immediately reminded of home. This type of art is done by the many Native American peoples that live around Puget Sound. I was not surprised to see the quilt was made by a woman from Seattle.

"Spirit" by Georgia Pierce - Seattle, Washington

Pieced by Georgia Pierce, Quilted by Georgia Pierce. Interpretation of images from Kevin Clark and Jim Gilbert's book, "Learning by Design: Pacific Northwest Coast Indian Art". Done by needle turned applique and free motion quilting.

I liked this quilt because it has a barn with a quilt block on it!

"Inside a Farmer's Heart" by Terri Krysan - Lakeville, Minnesota

Pieced by Terri Krysan, Quilted by Page Johnson. This quilt honors all of the pieces that come together to describe a farmer: the tenderness to deliver a calf, the commitment to tend the land, love of family and respect for those that came before, an unwavering patriot, and the optimism that always expects a bumper crop every fall!

I was drawn to this quilt because of the colors and simplicity of design.

"Tom's Carpenter Star" by Diana R. Wilson - Andover, Minnesota

Pieced by Diana R. Wilson, Quilted by Diana R. Wilson. This was made for my son who is a carpenter. It won a blue ribbon at the 2013 MN State Fair. It took 6 months to hand quilt working fairly steady.

This was an immediate "Wow" burst of color. After reading the card, I realized I had been to the quilt store mention and yes, the wall of batiks is impressive.

"Citrus Inferno" by Michael Johnson - Duluth, Minnesota

Pieced by Michael Johnson, Quilted by Michael Johnson. Using the Athena's Puzzle Pattern. I was inspired by the big wall of orange and yellow batiks at Blue Bamboo Quilt Store.

Non-Judged Quilts

I liked how the quilter did this t-shirt quilt.

"Center Stage" by Colleen Jensen-Carlon - Grand Forks, North Dakota

Quilted by Kathy Fellbaum. How can ten tees become a tribute to high school theater productions?

First it was the colors that got my attention, then it was the detailed quilting. This quilt should have been in the judged division. I loved it!

"Dresdens Go Modern" by Marie Zaczkowski - Clear Lake, Minnesota

Quilted by Richard Larson, Pattern by Victoria Findlay published in American Patchwork and Quilting magazine. Dresden plate blocks, set on point, side by side to create a diamond shape with an appliqued circle at center of block intersects. Use of stripes in alternating petals creates movement and illusion of more piecing.

Close up shot of the quilting details on the back of the quilt.

I must be on a green kick or something because this beauty also caught my attention.

"Fresh" by Liz Hickerson

Twin Cities Quilting Solid Challenge. Quilted by Liz Hickerson. Adapted from the Twin Cities Quilting Lexington Square pattern.

I had so much fun at this show. I spent about six hours there admiring the talents of many quilters and then melting my credit card in the various vendor booths. It was worth the drive and I look forward to going to my next show.