Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Blown Away by Quilts at Houston IQA Festival



Just home from teaching, lecturing, shopping, competing, and gawking at IQA Houston Quilt Festival. A long,exciting,and exhausting week. I had a great group of class students, and thank you all for the feedback I received. I have some ideas on class changes to help with large groups as we had there.
I am feeling the withdrawals from the 23 row vendor mall which I assuredly covered 3 times and was still seeing new stuff each aisle stroll. The industry is moving at one incredible clip... ever hear the business phrase.. the hurrier I go , the behinder i get? Unbelievable increases in skill set world wide. A few things I noticed in particular. Japan still is out front in meticulous work with Japan having the most number of juried entries. California had the most number of juried in quilts for a state. Of the winners from the U.S., there were many young 30 something winners turning out incredible precise work. My theory is that they don't require the amount of sleep I need. Atop the age thing is also that they all seem to be cute and trim.
My one entered piece, Windsong (shown here)... did capture a third place in the new painted category. There was much competition so I was quite pleased. All the winning quilts can he viewed at quilts.org. Now to get back to work here at home.

HOPE YOU ALL VOTED today! Whomever takes on the presidency, I think the whole country is ready to get behind him and make things happen.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I saw Windsong in person at Houston and it was stunning. My friend and I both took SEVERAL pictures and I haven't been able to stop looking at your work!! Wonderful! Thanks for the tip on using mono thread to secure. I'll try this tip for sure! Thanks again!

Patt Blair said...

THANKS so much ROBBIE.... another tip... when winding monofilament on your bobbin.... go a little slower... no peddle to the medal winding as it stretches the thread and can make the thread more breakable. Use the lowest setting on the top tension when sewing. Thanks again for your nice words. This art form is gratifying.