Hershey Quilt Show and some observations on machine quilting

I did make it to the Hershey Quilt Show yesterday.  (About a 3.5 hour ride from home, so possible as a day trip.)  Bethanne Nemesh was the featured artist.  Her pieces were absolutely stunning.  Several included her beaded piping, a really special finishing treatment.  (She explains how to make this on an episode of The Quilt Show.)

 She had a couch/love seat with a peacock design on it.  Fantastic.  Some of her whole cloth quilts were also on display.  Lovely!  Her machine quilting is spectacular.  I really enjoy seeing the work of teachers like Bethanne and getting a chance to get up close and personal with it.

There was also a display of antique quilts, all of which were basket quilts of some sort.  I never knew there were so many different basket patterns.  Both pieced and applique quilts were part of this display. 

Many of the quilts in the general display were applique and just incredible.  Mostly hand applique and many also hand quilted.  The designs varied from traditional Baltimore album style to very modern designs.   Some were very stately and some blinged up with crystals and beads.

I saw a huge green bargello quilt, some New York beauties, some Mariners Compasses.  The color choices were lovely and the workmanship fantastic.  Real inspiration!

Recently I have been noticing that the level of machine quilting has jumped up an order of magnitude in the last couple years.  That trend was certainly on display at Hershey.  It was wonderful to examine the machine quilting (and hand quilting) on those quilts.  As someone who loves machine quilting,  I am so happy to see it come of age.   The designs are getting more intricate and are an integral portion of the overall design of the quilts.  Lovely to see.

Congratulations to all the quilters who contributed to this display!  You brought a lot of beauty and inspiration to all the many quilters who were able to attend. 

BJ Chadwick, Queen of Remnants 



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