Last week the Mancuso Quiltfest Show was held in Greenville, SC, and a few gal pals from our guild went with me to see it. I haven’t been to this show before, mostly because the ticket price is a bit steep – $15 plus parking fee. I have had precious little sewing time lately, and that isn’t going to change for the next couple of weeks, so I thought it would be nice to see some inspiring work by other quilters. The show was both inspiring and disappointing at the same time. A few pieces really caught my attention, but the overall show was really spread out and there were not many people viewing it. There were only 20 actual vendors, over half of which were machine dealers, and not much in the way of fabrics or notions. The special exhibit of Inspired by Endangered Species: Animals and Plants in Fabric Perspectives was extraordinary, though. I think they must have had every one of the 182 pages represented in fabric in the show. The exhibit stretched along the front wall to the right of the entrance, then all the way down the side wall, plus a row of alcoves. This one caught my attention, as it had such dimension with the thread work. It is called Blackburn’s Sphinx Moth and was created by Karin Täuber of Blacksburg, Virginia.
Thread work and embellishments really caught my attention at this show, more than anything else. This wall hanging called “I Love A Little Bling” was made by Pat Hubbard. It just sparkled with beading and crystals.
This Christmas tree piece was called Dazzle, also by Pat Hubbard. Note the top of the tree is a large clear stone surrounded by smaller ones. It may have been a vintage pin or a broach. The tree is loaded with red beads, clear crystals and candy buttons. Layers of branches were raw edge applique, machine stitched. There were sparkly crystals in the night sky for stars.
This Vintage Linens quilt made by Mercedes Espinoza used all kinds of handkerchiefs and other vintage textiles, many with lovely embroidery.
I liked how she made the ladies’ skirts dimensional. The quilt was part of a guild exhibit, and they used little clothes pins with fabric flowers on them for their labels.
A beautiful gazebo is pictured in the traditionally pieced art quilt called Quiltmaker’s Garden by Willa Garber. This was in another guild display.
Another garden themed traditional pieced quilt with applique was titled Garden Party by Judith Craddock. It was machine pieced with hand applique in the needle turn technique. It won a ribbon, but I cannot tell you what the green ribbon signifies, it was too blurry on the photo to see.
Just look at the expertly turned appliques, and the gorgeous quilting. Details on the bird and chipmunk are thread embellishment.
There is a theme emerging here. I seem to be drawn to art quilts now, more than traditional pieced ones. This kingfisher portrait was called Jamie’s Fishin’, created by Ann-Marie Miro of Clayton, GA. Not only does it have some wonderful dimensional thread work and thread painting on the bird and the green stalk it is sitting on, but just look at the quilting in the sky space! It won a Judge’s Choice award.
This gorgeous iris is called Chroma by Jean Loussarian of Greer, SC. It won third place in its category of Wall Quilts. The fabric choices made such an impact in the mottling of the petals, enhanced with quilting, some thread work and beading.
This extraordinary piece is called Harmony in Bloom: A Tapestry of Wings and Petals and was created by Joyce Hughes of Asbury, NJ. The thread work in this piece was amazing. It won the Janome Sewing Machine Workmanship award. From the placard, it appeared to be an original design collage from the artist’s photos of her garden printed on fabric then thread painted.
The detail is amazing in the thread painting. Little purple crystals center each of the flowers. Even the tiny bug on the flower center was thread painted. Look closely at the flower shading, orange to gold and back again creating highlights and shadows to define shapes.
It was incredible, even the small yellow panes on the butterfly also had shading.
The small bird was beautiful, with such detail in the white on its chest, and shaded blue wings.
Which brings me back to my bird quilt project, still stalled. I pulled it out over the weekend, and thought about doing thread painting on the little panels. I’m a bit scared of that prospect, what if I mess it up? I haven’t done any thread painting and it could turn into a dog’s breakfast. I thought about framing the panels out in an attic windows formation, with the yellow on the side and green on the bottom. But when I measured it out, it didn’t work well.
So, maybe just green sashing on the birds to make them into squares?
Then add an alternate block of the bird nest fabric? Arrrgh, I cannot decide!
But one does have to start somewhere, maybe I should do these as individual pieces instead of trying to force them into a single wall hanging or table topper. Well, it will need to marinate a bit longer. Maybe when I can get back to the sewing room, something will come to me.
What are you working on this week? Have you been to a quilt show lately?
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From My Carolina Home 
this week is all about Ryan’s Case for Smiles. I’ve got a volunteer expo Wednesday, sew cases with friends Thursday and a large sewing day Saturday where I’m hoping to have 20 come.
personally I’ve been working on doll quilts for the Christmas project you partnered with but it is very slow going as I’m working on 20+ as leader/enders while I bind, sew on borders, alter some of my clothing and I’d like to donate 2-4 child size quilts for a local camp held June 2 for children in remission. I have 1 quilted ready to bind and 8 flimsys ready to quilt that I made specifically for this camp but not all for this year.
i need to get back to working on my families T-shirt quilts or they won’t be done this year.
I’ve not been to a show in 9 months and the next I know about is in July.
Thank you again, Carole , for your story and all the photos .
It’s nice you tell something about the quilts and what got your eye on.
I’ haven’t an embroiderymachine so I don’t know or this embroidety is a sort of FMQ ( FME) of painting with the machine. Or is it a painting on the computer ?
I will ask a friend of mine. Giving an answer on all my silly questions is no good for the finishing of your quilts.
I am finishing a little quilt with 9 squares with handembroidery. I love embroidery.
You can do it everywhere and it’s a peaceful thing to do.
Well, this was my story of today. A good excercise for practising my English.
Have a good day!
Marjolein
Thread painting is done free motion on a domestic machine, no special machine needed. It is lovely to have hand embroidery to do.
Thank you for your quick answer.
It is a special talent to be able to create this work,
That’s why they call it an art-quilt of course.
Here the sun is shining, but in the night it was freezing.
But Spring is coming. Love working in the garden.
Have a good day.
Marjolein
We’re you there on a weekday? Maybe there were more visitors on a weekend? The theme was special, I hope more people had the opportunity to view it. I enjoy looking at art quilts, I don’t enjoy making them. I do lots of gazing at the art & landscape quilts when I visit shows. Tuesdays are Sew days with one of my clubs so I’m off in a little bit. Today we have a paper piecing wall hanging project so I guess I’m sort of art quilting a little bit after all. I have the same bird fabric you have & still haven’t sewn it up – waiting for the right idea. So many things to do, never enough time.
We have just been in Paducah (a week ahead of their big AQS Quilt week show) and I really enjoyed going to the National Quilt Museum there. So much to look at and be inspired by! I, too, am fascinated by art quilts, especially landscapes, but never know quite where to start if I wanted to make one. Hope you can come up with a plan for your bird blocks that you’re happy with!
I’ve found those projects…the ones that you just can’t make a decision on…are best left alone for a while. I had a bird panel I wanted to include in a quilt for my mom. It took 2 years for the right pattern to come along, and I absolutely love how it turned out. I had almost decided to go with a different pattern that I wasn’t as thrilled with, and I’m so glad I waited! The right idea will come along…just be patient. As for the thread painting…find something less precious and practice on it…see how you like it.
in recent years I think the quilt shows have gone downhill. The last I went to was the AQS show in Branson in March – I believe the entrance fee was $15.00 and parking was $15.00 there were view vendors and the lighting in one area of the display hall was terrible. I always enjoyed the shows & vendors before covid but they have gone downhill since then.
Those art quilts are absolutely stunning. The thread painting is fascinating. I attempted a frog many years ago, but I felt it was ”dog breakfast” when I finished. I realized that you need so many shades of thread to get good shading. Good luck with your birds. I used those same birds in making totes. I still use one of my totes and always get compliments on it. I know whatever you do with them, it will look nice.
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Carole, beautiful art! I love the Christmas tree and the gazebo. Thanks so much for sharing!
It never ceases to amaze me how some quilters can thread paint such gorgeous quilts! These are just lovely to see. Thanks for the photos and descriptions. Birds and flowers make great subjects!
The birds might look good with another quilt block, like a star block with the colors of the birds used as the points. Might pull all of the bird blocks together.
Quilt shows can be mesmerizing!
The Christmas tree and the Kingfisher quilts are my favorite. Although the collage with the thread painting was awesome too!
I am working on a guild challenge and getting ready for a retreat.
Thanks for sharing what I call “eye candy!”
The Tapestry of Wings and Petals created by Joyce Hughes of Asbury, NJ was my favorite! The close-ups are simply stunning.
It’s hard to believe these are all quilts — they are quite amazing. Paintings on fabric!
Whatever you do will be wonderful. Maybe start with just little bit on the wing or a limb for texture/depth. But what ever you do I’m sure it will be wonderful. I was just thinking – I used to do a little padding under flowers trapunto?, etc. Again, the birds are beautiful all by themselves. Thanks so much for all the pictures – I don’t know how they do all that – it would take me years! Thanks, j
Have you thought about the window block to put the birds in? I have that panel and that is what I plan on doing with mine. Anyway good luck with whatever you decide.
I think you’re on the right track with the birds idea. And some thread painting would enhance the panels.
Thanks, maybe that is the way. The bird panels are only 6 inches high, so really small. One has to jump in and start somewhere, so I might do a series of six little pieces. What I would do with them after that would be the question. Tiny wall hangings, or candle mats? I don’t know.
Thread painting is so lovely and I envy those that just produce such beauty. I’m not any good at quilting my quilts so I don’t attempt it. Although I can stitch Butterflies on that dissolvable product! :))
It’s just taking your courage in both hands and getting going. You do beautiful quilting so you are halfway there. I remember you quilted those lovely panels a little while ago which were super nice.
Maybe get a floral piece of fabric and have a practice run. You can do it!!
Mary :))
Even though the show was small, the quilts were stunning. Thanks for sharing pictures.
Thanks for sharing the pictures, Carole. The Mancuso shows used to be quite large and were always wonderful ~ filled with quilts, vendors, and classes. I’m not sure what happened to them. As for your panel, the thread painting would be lovely. My personal opinion on the bird’s nest fabric is that it’s too busy for the delicate birds. I know you’ll come up with something!
That is so interesting…we have a local show newer show that I just went to where Mancuso has had shows. It is smaller, too. I love seeing what you saw and think you will find the perfect direction for your project. Looking forward to seeing it develop.
The pictures from the quilt show were very lovely. Wanted to show you one I just finished. Pattern is Cupids Target by Zelda of Modern Welsh Quilts. Its about 96″ square.
Hi Pamela,
The blog doesn’t allow photos on comments, please share your photo in our Facebook group. We’d love to see it.
These are wonderful gorgeous quilts!
thanks for sharing the quilts……….