This exhibit, coinciding with National Quilting Month, features works of quilt art from the late 20th Century to today, by members of Brandywine Valley Quilters, a local quilt guild established in 1987 and based in Concordville, Pennsylvania. We are pleased to share with you some of the many styles and techniques that make quilts Works of Art. We hope you enjoy this exhibit and encourage you to appreciate these works of art, as well as all forms of art!
Quilts are defined as three layers of cloth: “top” or “flimsy,” filling (or batting) and backing. But quilts are much more than that! Traditionally, quilts were made to:
- Provide warmth and comfort
- Showcase creativity and needlework skills
- Commemorate a special occasion or honor a person
- Make a social, cultural or political statement
- Express an emotion in a work of art
Especially after the popularity of quilting during America’s Bicentennial, the craft has continued to increase in popularity, in part due to:
- The invention of tools, such as the rotary cutter, cutting mat and precision rulers as well as die-cutting machines, to make quilt construction quicker and easier
- Technology, including online resources for learning techniques (YouTube) and software applications for designing quilts (Electric Quilt and others)
- The acceptance of machine quilting as an alternative to quilting by hand
- Advances in sewing machine design and manufacture, incorporating digital controls and sophisticated software to create embroidery and quilting designs
- The availability of frame-mounted machines to quilt larger pieces in less time, using hand-guided or computer-assisted edge-to-edge patterns or custom quilting designs
- Quilters and fiber artists expanding quilting styles beyond the traditional, to include surface design and embellishment, improvisational designs and the modern aesthetic.
For this exhibit, we asked guild members to submit quilts that go beyond what one might think of as a traditional quilt. These submissions might include innovative takes on classic blocks or patterns, free-form expressions, or an abstract or improv design. A prevailing theme among the artists' descriptions below is the integration of inspiration with newly acquired techniques. We owe much to instructors who create opportunities for expanding self-expression. It is our hope that this exhibit will increase your appreciation of quilting as an art form and inspire you to make more art.
1. Wagon Wheels by Beverly Barnett
This quilt was created during an autumn 2024 weekly sew-along class instructed by Denyse Schmidt. Denyse aims for a spare and timeless aesthetic in her designs, exemplified here through large-scale circles divided into quarters. To achieve this "spare and timeless" look, I utilized small-scale prints, blenders, and solids in a palette limited to light and medium value yellows, golden yellows, yellow-greens, and green yellows, contrasted with light and dark values of purple (a split complementary combination). The quilting design features straight diagonal lines. The backing fabric, however, diverges from the spare theme and showcases a vibrant pattern called Mad Plaid, designed by Brandon Mably.
I have been quilting since 1976, prior to the advent of rotary cutters and home machine quilting. Each year, I strive to expand my knowledge of color use and learn new sewing techniques. I appreciate Brandywine Valley Quilter’s strong community service ethic and their enriching programs.
2. Old Man and the Land by Selina Toedter
This is my first (and so far only!) quilted ‘soft sculpture,’ made for a large wall in our living room. Inspired by The Old Man and the Sea, this life-sized quilted marlin reimagines Earnest Hemingway’s now classic tale of conquest and loss.
In the novel, the fisherman kills his great catch, only to watch it slip away, losing his battle with nature, time, and the sea. In contrast, this marlin was made stitch by stitch—with no harm done to fish or human—as a way to celebrate and collaborate with the beauty of nature.
3. Holes Make a Whole by Katy Hoess
This quilt was created for a multi-guild challenge on the topic of interpreting what does [hohl] mean to you? [hohl] could be "hole" or "whole". This quilt is my response to making a whole quilt using both thread and fabric construction that contained holes. Since I am an obsessive knitter, I had been interested in incorporating knitting into quilts. I knit the center doily, using crochet cotton. Each section of the quilt is constructed separately (top, batting, backing) and sewed together. The doily is suspended in the central circle of the quilt. Then it is joined to the outer square border by the appliqued lozenges. The space between border and center and between the lozenges is simply air! So, the quilt "changes" depending on what is behind it. And yet, the choice of ornate fabric and lace doily reflect my usual very traditional quilting style, but in a non-traditional quilt.
4. Rock Star by Julia Penna
I made this piece for Brandywine Valley Quilters’ 2015 “Quilting Rocks!” Challenge. Participants were given a quarter yard of rock-themed fabric (pebbles, stones, river, etc.) to incorporate in a small quilt. I wanted to use rocks in a different way, so I embellished my quilt with beads that resemble rocks.
5 Stars at Sunset on the Brandywine Lil Koster
For my first landscape quilt, I read several books on the subject. Using a raw-edge applique/collage technique, I glued fabric scraps to a foundation and added an overlay of tulle, then machine embroidered and quilted the piece. This piece was made for the Brandywine Valley Quilters’ 2004 Quilt Show and Challenge, with the theme of “Stars Along the Brandywine.”
6. South of France by Cheryl Lynch
On a trip to Provence, I saw this beaten-up bicycle leaning against a very typical stone building. It was the inspiration for this quilt. I took some liberties and made it a beautiful blue bike with a basket full of flowers and an antique red door.
A mosaic fabric technique that I developed was used to create this quilt. Small squares of batik fabric were used to create this quilted scene.
7. How Much Is That Doggy in The Window by Betty Jean Boyd
This was a BVQ Challenge in 2013 and the theme was something to make you happy. This fun project let me do something very different and I used other materials to add to the finished project. It turned out that this won First Place, the first time I won a Challenge. It now hangs proudly in my home.
8. 2020 by Nancy Arico
This piece is my entry in a Philadelphia Modern Quilt Guilt Challenge to use the Kona and Pantone colors of the year the blue and yellow) on at least 50% of the front and make something reminiscent of the year 2020. In 2020 I felt like my whole world was on Zoom and I was getting to see many curious cats on my screen. Thus, a Zoom Screen with Cats. The cats and Zoom icons re raw edge appliqued and I was able to play with some different quilting in each box.
9. My Dog by Deb Kelly
This was created as part of the BVQ Challenge Quilt for 2018. The challenge required a 24" x 24" square quilt in the style and design of a collage. A collage quilt is a distinctive form of quilt-making that involves using various fabric scraps to create a visually stunning design. It is an art-style quilt made by layering a piece of fabric on top of the foundation or background fabric. The layered fabric can be secured in place with tulle or quilting. Unlike traditional quilting techniques that rely on precise piecing and sewing, collage quilting allows you to let your imagination run wild, combining different fabrics, textures, and patterns. I watched some YouTube videos for instruction. MY DOG is based on a picture of a Cocker Spaniel, of which I have had 4 over the years.
10. Veery Dog by Katie Bird
My quilt is an ode to my dog, Veery, who is a Border Collie mix I adopted when I lived in Nevada for an AmeriCorps Service year. The quilt is an FPP pattern of my own design, my second ever, all on vintage domestic machines. I wanted the quilt to highlight her yellow eyes and bat-like ears, features which made me drive immediately to the shelter after I saw her listing in 2019. She came home with me that day. Now, Veery just turned 8 years old and I'm increasingly aware that my time with her is limited. I quilt what I love, ("Attention is the beginning of devotion" according to poet Mary Oliver) and my love for my two dogs is unrivaled. Adopting Veery changed my life in every way for the better.
Katie is an ecologist based in Wilmington, Delaware. Her work focuses primarily on insect-pollinator interactions and native plant community restoration. She is a chronic hobby collector and is often found in her studio diving down creative rabbit holes.
11. Teddy Memories by Elaine O'Connell
Teddy, a miniature poodle, belonging to one of my friends. Inspired by Cheryl Lynch's mosaic fabric technique class, I adapted her dog Bailey pattern to create a poodle using small batik fabric squares. Given to my friend, it remains a cherished memory of her beloved dog.
I have been sewing since grade school but only took up quilting about fifteen years ago. I love experimenting with new techniques and find inspiration all around me. A collector of ideas and fabrics, I am only constrained by time.
12. Around the Block by Bobbie Spaid
In 2022, we were still worrying about Covid, so workshops presented via Zoom were popular. Lancaster Modern Guild offered this original design created by member Maureen Logan and through her online tutorage, I was able to complete the project at my own pace.
Anyone who knows me will agree that I become OC and perseverative when it’s time to quilt my projects. I generally gather a number of opinions and then do what I want. This time I think the issue of time and Covid impacted my choice of design ~ hence the snail trails, repetitive shapes and crazy meandering. I remember feeling compelled to somehow release the bubbles that I locked into various shapes and there was one area where I was able to do that so the quilting became therapeutic.
13. Drunkard's Path with a Twist of Lime by Kathy Silvon
It’s true, quilters buy fabric, cut it up and resew it.
That’s why I like the Twister Ruler. When a 2021 Challenge was announced, the Twister ruler immediately came to mind. The challenge was to use the drunkard’s path block and a twist of lime. I am proud of this piece not only because it won a Blue Ribbon, but because it took me on a journey beyond my usual boundaries.
14. English Garden Maze Illusion II by Cheryl Holman
Designing my own mazes began when I could not find a pattern that met my criteria. They are 3D in nature, and you can follow a visible path throughout the entire maze. All the mazes work with one entrance and one exit. Each one is unique and drawn by me without reference to any preexisting designs. After 20 or so quilts I worked on “maze in a maze” designs. This one is the third effort of that style. Step back and discover the dimension and the subtle illusion. Think about how and why it works.
15. Humm Sweet Humm by Nancy Arico
This quilt was made for a BVQ Challenge several years ago. The challenge was to make a collage quilt. I love Hummingbirds and I wanted to do something colorful. I found this image through an online search.
16. Hummingbird Loves That Purple by David and Gretchen Gobris
Hummingbird at Flower was designed and constructed by David Gobris and was quilted by Gretchen Gobris. The quilt was made using a fusible applique technique. David was inspired by the many ruby throated hummingbirds that zip around our backyard all summer.
17. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Peggy Kushman
Early in 2020 our guild participated in a multi guild challenge with the theme of Graffiti. I immediately knew I wanted to enter a quilt and almost as quickly knew what I wanted my quilt to depict. Having grown up in Brooklyn, NY, I knew I wanted to pay homage to my old home town. I researched Graffiti and an image began forming in my brain. This came out just as I imagined. I even honored my parents by including their initials within a heart “carved” into the tree. You can take the girl out of Brooklyn, but you can never take Brooklyn out of the girl.
18. Dance in the Light by Bobbie Spaid
I fell in love with the "Dance of the Dragonflies" quilt pattern by Hoffman when I was a novice quilter full of awe at one of my first shows. I purchased the pattern and fabric immediately, knowing that it would sit for a while before I was up to tackling the raw edge applique and free motion quilting this project would require.
About 6 or 7 years later I decided to make an inspirational concept concrete and followed the steps to creating one of my favorite pieces. Even a published pattern has space for originality, and I took advantage of that in a few areas. The juxtaposition of the dragonflies and their individual spot in the light was important so I worked to let them each have a chance to shine. Using an organza overlay provided a luminescence to the bodies that the cotton fabric didn’t seem to provide. Being relatively new to free motion quilting and use of a longarm presented a new learning experience. There was a lot of trial and error before I achieved the desired effect. I still love my stylized feather-based dragonflies that add movement to the darker perimeter.
I renamed my quilt “Dance in the Light” sensing that the concept of light would inspire me in future projects.
19. NYC by Me by Mary Jane Goodman
This quilt is based on the pattern New York Neighbors by Gotham Quilts. I loved the linear look of the fire escapes so quintessential to New York City. In keeping with the paper piecing technique, I incorporated designs into the windows. The subway is Gotham Quilts row by row design. It was the perfect fit for this quilt.
20. Quilted Sneakers by Jennifer Miller
I am relatively new to quilting, and one of the things I love about this hobby is that no matter how much I learn, there are always so many new techniques and skills to try. So, I was really excited to take a “Happy Feet” sneaker class in November of 2023, thinking it would be fun and something a little different than typical quilts. I thought maybe I’d make myself a whole closet of custom sneakers. Sewing everything together turned out to be a little trickier than I had envisioned, and sadly, when I finally finished and tried them on, they didn’t fit!
However, I’ve found there is always a consolation prize with quilting. Even when my projects don’t turn out like I envision, which is usually the case, there is always something positive to take away. This time, instead of having a fun and funky pair of sneakers to wear to quilt guild events, I was able to enter them in the 2024 BVQ quilt show since the sneakers were still brand new. To my surprise, I wound up winning third place in the Art category!
21. Bubble My World by Terry Lieberman
I saw this Quiltworx pattern and thought it would work perfectly to explode the Color Series into a full-size quilt. Fabric paint was left behind for paper piecing the large colorful pieces in a color wheel pattern. I used one layer of cotton/poly blend batting and a layer of wool batting to make the quilting designs pop. Free motion quilting was done on my longarm machine.
22. Cow in the Pepper Patch by David and Gretchen Gobris
Cow in the Pepper Patch was designed by David Gobris. And was quilted by Gretchen Gobris. David always thought a holstein cow would make a good subject for an art quilt. He decided to incorporate a little whimsy by adding the floopy hat and the hot chili peppers. The quilt was made using a raw edge fusible applique technique.
23. Nepokhytniy dukh (Unyielding Spirit) by Cindy Faulkner
Art has been used to make political statements - both subtle and direct - for centuries, and 21st century quilting has embraced this approach. I was inspired by my daughter’s 2018 “Rap Album” quilt and The Artist Circle’s 2018 exhibit “Threads of Resistance” to transform Jane Haworth’s “Pink Cow” pattern by adding bull horns, a bi-colored ear tag, and background fabric to honor the tenacity and bravery of the men and women fighting Russia’s invasion of their beautiful country, Ukraine.
24. Steampunk by Cindy Faulkner
In the past, the word “quilter” brought to mind an image of a woman. This can no longer be assumed. I was inspired to create this raw-edge appliqué quilt for my son after watching a video in Rob Appell’s “Man Sewing” series on YouTube. This was my first attempt at using this technique, and I thank Rob for giving me the confidence to try it.
25. Little Forrest by Beverly Barnett
This Little Forest quilt was made during a 2024 block-of-the-month class taught by Canadian Shannon Fraser. This skill-builder class featured techniques such as needle-turn applique, machine applique, foundation paper piecing, and precision sewing. Can you find the designated bonsai, cherry, Fraser fir, larch (my favorite), lodgepole pine, maple, and poplar? Rather than a solid background, I chose multiple pastel colors. The quilting design is organic vertical lines.
26. Whole Cloth Hole Quilt by Nancy Arico
The Challenge was to make a piece using the word "Hole" or "Whole" for inspiration. I found a lesson on how to draw a hole and decided to try it with thread. I used a heavier thread in the bobbin and thread painted with a thin thread on what is now the back of this quilt.
27. Toroidal Polyhedron in Grayscale by Cheryl Holman
This is a mathematical optical illusion that many math students love to draw. Check it out on YouTube. My quest was to create this wonderful illusion with fabric. My question was: would the illusion become apparent? On a flat surface the circle appears to twist around itself. In the real world this impossible circle cannot be built. Relax your eyes and try to make sense of this illusion.
28. Boats in the Village by Peggy Kushman
August of 2022 meant attending classes at the MAQ - Mid Appalachian Quilters at Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, PA. This organization is amazing in that it exists year-round only to organize and offer quilting classes in the summer. I took this wonderful collage class called Happy Villages by Karen Eckmeier. She was very generous offering help, fabric, and personal time for each student. The students helped each other by exchanging fabrics, ideas and suggestions. We were left to finish our projects at home with printed instructions. What a wonderful experience!
29. Autumn Birches by RaeLynn Bond
This mini quilt was inspired from a workshop I took. The book is titled, Landscape Art Quilts by Ann Loveless. Technique used is “collage” along with fusible applique and thread painting.
30. Like a Diamond in the Sky by Nancy Redfearn
For the 30th anniversary of the Brandywine Quilt Guild challenge quilt, the theme was diamonds. I was inspired by "Twinkle, twinkle little star ... like a diamond in the sky". At a quilt show I saw a great pattern for a fancy star and placed it on a background of pieced squares of different night sky fabric set on point to look like diamonds. At the same quilt show, I also learned about gluing crystals onto a quilt. So, I combined crystals with some embroidery to create my challenge quilt. Members of my family have wanted this little quilt, but I'm not willing to part with it. And I learned a lot making it.
31. Color Wheel Mandala by Terry Lieberman
I have long been fascinated with geometric drawings, and especially the Geometrical Eye and Mandalas. My challenge was how to bring them to life in a quilt. My solution was to use the same techniques in my previous color series quilt, Set Them Free. After creating a line drawing of the Geometrical Eye, the lines were transferred to fabric and the colors were painted and the lines were quilted in with my domestic sewing machine. I added the mandalas in free motion quilting as a contrast of the strict geometric rules of the Geometrical Eye.
32. Set Them Free by Terry Lieberman
The inspiration for the design came from a drawing video I watched and my love of color. After creating a line drawing, I realized I would like to make a quilted art piece out of it. After transferring the line drawing to fabric, I used fabric paint to add the color and free motion machine quilting to “draw” the lines. While quilting I felt that the color was trapped in the design and so my desire to “Set Them Free” was born and the colors spilled out.
33. My Garden's Grand Flower by Lil Koster
My dear (since departed) friend Barbara Gross was inspired by Mary Kerr's “Vintage Revisited” project to coordinate BVQ’s 2011 Challenge, “Help Save Grandma’s Garden” Barbara provided a vintage Grandmother’s Flower Garden block to each participant, and the challenge was to create a small quilt using the block however they saw fit. Using instructions for a 3-dimensional hexagon from a magazine article, I made several to enhance my quilt. An example of tradition with a twist!
34. The Aloha Quilt by Lil Koster
Made for Brandywine Valley Quilters’ 2016 “Book Report” Challenge. The design was inspired by the Pineapple Patch quilt illustrated inside the front cover of Jennifer Chiaverini’s book, The Aloha Quilt. The pineapple motifs were cut from a folded piece of gold quilting cotton fabric, in the manner of Hawaiian quilt making. Using a colorful batik fabric instead of plain white for the background and appliqué and quilting by machine, rather than by hand, puts a modern spin on a traditional style.
35. Hibiscus in Summer by Peggy Kushman
Virtual classes were introduced in 2021. I was fortunate to be able to take a virtual class with Phyllis Cullen through Road to California. Phyllis provided patterns, instructions and fabrics if you wanted. I loved the bright and happy suggested colors for this collage project.
36. Susan in Springtime by Lil Koster
Made in a BJ Titus workshop in February 2014. BJ’s original design is a small version of her award-winning quilt, “Susan.” I love working with colorful fabrics and enjoyed “shopping my stash” to pick the perfect ones for this piece. Dragonfly pins from my “pond-critter” pin stash were purchased at craft and quilt shows.
37. Interleave by Julia Penna
A friend, Nancy Arico, gave a class on the technique used in this piece. I randomly chose fabric from my stash because I had no idea how it would turn out. The method was fun to learn, and I really like how the colors make me think of Spring.
38. French Pastry Cake by Kathy Silvon
A tribute to my mother-in-law, this quilt is the image of the dessert she made when I came for dinner at my then boyfriend’s house. How could I ever top this! Over time, not only can I make this cake, but I could quilt this cake. By using Stitch N’ Steam I accomplished the texture of the frosting and added one of her dollies (she always had paper dollies under the cakes) to give the quilt even more dimension. This quilt won me my first ribbon in our 2012 BVQ Challenge entitled Making Memories.
39. Happy 25th Anniversary, BVQ! by Deborah Kelly
This quilt was made as part of the BVQ 2012 Challenge Quilt event. The theme was "Silver Memories" and the criteria was either a 9"x12" OR 18"x18" to include:
- silver (fabric, thread, or embellishments in a recognizable amount)
- 25 (the number of itself or 25 of something)
- memories/celebrations/commemoration
40. Put on Your Dancing Shoes by Betty Jean Boyd
The theme of the BVQ Challenge in August 2012 was "Celebrate!". Inspired by my mother who loved pretty shoes, I used special buttons for this project and felt very satisfied with the result. These small wall hangings are quick to complete and perfect for small spaces.
41. A Book Report by Kathy Silvon
BVQ’s 2016 Quilt Show entitled Quilting: What a Novel Idea challenged the membership to construct a piece based on a book title or character. Stitch n’ Steam was used to achieve the "Roman Shade" effect. Hints for the title of the book:
- This book outsold all seven Harry Potter books.
- Can you guess the number of “colors” in this piece?
42. Blue Moon by Julia Penna
I took a class at the Vermont Quilt Show in 2018 from Sarah Bond, an award-winning quilt maker, designer, teacher, lover and self-described quilt addict. A native of Philadelphia, she made a significant and lasting impact on many local quilters before her passing last year. The circles are paper pieced, one of my favorite techniques for assembling quilt blocks. I completed only a few blocks that day in class. It took me almost two years to finish the blocks and assemble the top. I became proficient in curved piecing, something new to me while working on this quilt. I learned so much from Sarah and am grateful I was able to spend time with her. This quilt was beautifully quilted by Terry Lieberman.
43. Generation Hex by Cindy Faulkner
This quilt was my first foray into the use of the English Paper Piecing technique after attending a workshop by Barb Vedder. I love the way ‘fussy cutting’ of fabric can be used to create all sorts of visual surprises, and the way I could use fabric pattern, tone, and value in the 12-piece hexagons to create either stars or tumbling blocks.
44. Sunset Mirage by Cindy Faulkner
The “Tumbling Blocks” layout found its way from the mosaic floors in Ancient Greece to become a beloved quilt pattern as early as 1850. Careful color selection greatly enhances the “3D” optical illusion, as with these fabrics designed by Jinny Beyer. Using the English Paper Piecing technique resulted in precise y-seams and allowed me to work on this in public spaces (while sitting in waiting rooms, etc.). I frequently attracted the attention of strangers who initiated conversations with me about this artwork, instead of focusing on their cellphones.
45. Prints by Louise Ludecke
I hand dyed the fabric. I used a polymer stamp that when heated with an iron, various designs can be pressed into the warm polymer, creating a cool stamp. Then I brushed it with fabric paint and quickly turned it over onto the fabric, applying pressure to transfer the design onto the fabric. Once dried, I heat set with a medium hot iron. The quilt design, construction and hand quilting were done by Carole Hoffman from Mamaroneck, NY.
46. Concentricity by Cheryl Lynch
I love to walk, and I love to travel. Exploring new places on foot stirs my creativity. Concentricity was inspired by a walk in St Augustine, Florida. It is the oldest city in Florida and has a very European feel. While walking one morning I saw pavers with concentric circles.
Concentricity was created using fusible appliqué with silk, organza and cotton. The circles were hand stitched with cotton and rayon thread.
47. Compound of 5 Cubes by Cheryl Holman
Once I saw this wonderful mathematical figure on Google images, I knew I had to figure out how to create it in fabric. Working from a small diagram I drew a quadrant of the pattern and made templates. (Image was provided by Rob Webb using his Stella 3D program.) The figure contains 5 cubes and in my version two sides of each cube are shown. Your challenge is to find the ten faces. Go to Google photos and find a rotating version and enjoy the beauty of it.
48. Cutting Edge by Julia Penna
I attended a lecture on Sliver Quilts given by Lisa O’Neill. I was fascinated by the technique of inserting folded fabric into a seam. The fabric could be appliqued down or left unsewn to add dimension to the block. I did not have a pattern for the actual quilt block, so I figured out how to make the block from a photo in O’Neill’s book. I love how no blocks are the same and I only had to match the corners of the blocks. All the slivers are random in color, size and shape. I used many scraps found in my stash but planned the black and white fabric carefully. It was beautifully quilted by Terry Lieberman. Of all the quilts I have made, this is my favorite.