International Quilt Festival Chicago 2013

 

 I am so thrilled that the International Quilt Show came back to Chicago this year after a several year absence. My sister in law, Joy, and I spent a lovely day there.

 

At the exhibit, the quilt above was my favorite. Journeying all the way from Japan, the colors and patterns mesmerized me. I loved the soft neutral palette and those off kilter log cabin blocks.

 

Here is a close up.

This is a border from another Japenese Quilt. The detail in the border alone was striking.

 



 

I loved the trees - a modern twist, yet still the traditional quilt blocks.

 

 

Another favorite - redwork combined with yo-yo's. This combination would never have occurred to me and its works so very well - like flowers surrounding those detailed birds.

 

I am not a quilter, but I truly appreciate the incredible workmanship.

 

The night before the quilt show, I had the opportunity to go to a trunk show and quilt talk by Lisa Bongean for the Northwest Suburban Quilters Guild.

It was such fun to hear her story and see her work up close and in person. It always looks even better than online. She shared a few designs that will appear in her next book as well as in Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine along with the antique that inspired her.

What a treat it was!

 

Of course I was so overwhelmed by the Merchants Mall at the quilt show that I didn't take any photos. Some of our all time favorites were there like Country Threads and of course Primitive Gatherings (where I purchased Lisa's Just Picked Table Runner), but it was so much fun to discover some new designers as well!

 

The ladies at Plays with Wool were so helpful as I had difficulty deciding which kit to buy.

Click here to see their designs and why I had trouble deciding ;)

 

The Little Red Hen had a wonderful full booth that we walked through several times.

I can only imagine that their shop must be delightful judging from their booth! I think I need to find my way to Muscatine, Iowa ;)

You can read more about their shop and designs here. 

The Bizzy Bee Candle Mat and Pin Cushion kits just had to come home with me!

You can see them here. and they carry the teeny tiniest buttons I have ever seen. They are under the scissors in the photo above for use on the Heart in Hand pincushion kit.

They were so friendly that I didn't want to leave their booth! 

 

 

While Bits & Pieces by Joan wasn't a new designer to me, as I have stitched a few of her designs in the past, I now see her pattern company in a whole new light!

What a delight! Joan was so encouraging and accomodating even as I overstayed my welcome in her busy booth ;) Seeing all of her designs live and in person - I wanted them all! Most designs she had in complete kits, even with the frames, and her prices were reasonable.

Click here to see what I mean :)

Thanks Joan for being so sweet as I agonized over my purchases!

(Anyone who knows me, knows how long it can take me to decide lol)

 

So I managed to spend the rest of my budget in her booth. :)

 

It is such a joy to be around people that like the same things that you do and to feed off of each others excitement and enthusiasm. What a blessing of a day!

 

I have been under the weather all weekend, but haven't minded. Just spending some downtime and enjoying my purchases and my memories.

 

Blessings, Patti