The influence of other quilters

How often do you look at quilts made by others on the Internet at quilt shows or elsewhere and get influenced by their styles or skills?

It happens to me quite a lot and I think that's one of the reasons why I play around with so many projects.

At the recent Sydney quilt show I was drawn to this piece called Errant Geese by Jessica Wheelahan. I love this close up photo. It reminds me of the work of Gwen Marston and the Gees Bend Quilters.

I could see how much fun it would be to cut up pieces of fabric and play with colour and form, not worrying about rules or what anyone would think.

 

 Here's the whole quilt and the ribbon Jessica won was for best quilt inspired by an antique quilt awarded by Quiltsmith where I do my Aunty Green classes.

Jessica was sitting in front of me with her children at the awards ceremony and I caught up with her for a quick chat. What an inspirational, lovely lady she is. I was just sorry I missed her speaking at the quilt study weekend recently. I hear it was a wonderful talk.

Jessica doesn't have a blog but is on Instagram as birdie_beetle and has a page on Pinterest featuring a board of her other works at beats and pieces modern quilting.

Heres a totally different style of quilt made by Pamela Brockwell, another extremely talented and lovely person. Her quilt Fiore Della Vita won the best quilt in Victoria last year and is currently travelling along with my Rings And Roses quilt.

When I saw this in Melbourne, I couldn't stop looking at it. It mesmerised me for its machine quilting and all the special details such as the applique and cording. Pamela sure is friends with her machine!

Pamela had special permission from Sharon Schamber to make and enter this quilt as it was based on one of her designs.

This quilt top was pieced by hand by my friend Loz who managed to get all her blocks together at our quilting retreat in May. Of course you may recognise that it's Jen Kingwell's pattern, The Circle Game

It was making my fingers itch to play with fabric and go back to my own version that I started oh so long ago.

If you've been reading my blog for a long time, you'd know that I'm not very biased for just one style of quilt. I love that there's something for everybodys' tastes. I also love that styles and techniques are evolving, it'll be good for all of us by keeping the industry alive and well.

I'm very happy to report that one of my favourite blogs is back after a break. Kathie from Inspired By Antique Quilts is back online, go and check it out. Kathie's blog was deleted for a time so if you want to follow her, you'll have to add your name back again on her followers list.

Until next time, Janet