Quilts on show
The complex world of quilting will be displayed at an upcoming regional show.
The Taranaki Patchwork and Quilters Guild Inc is holding its biennial show on November 4, 5 and 6 at the Stratford War Memorial Hall.
Event spokeswoman Jennifer Patterson said at least 180 fabric art coverings would be displayed and judged at what doubles as a competition.
There are various challenges and awards quilters work towards and Patterson said it was a complex world of stitching.
‘‘We’ve got some pretty special judges coming through,’’ she said.
‘‘Professor Hazel Gomec is judging and so is Anna Williams.’’
Patterson said several quilting styles would be showcased including fine art quilts, which could be handpainted, bed quilts which could be pieced and appliqued and whole quilt tops which were then sandwiched together and the quilting process judged.
Under examination were the overall look, the skill of the stitching, cutting and technique.
‘‘They’re looking for that wow factor.’’
Art or wall quilts are intricate. Patterson has sewn 970 beads to one of her works and said she knew of another piece which would display more than 1000.
‘‘It can take up to a year,’’ she said.
’’It takes weeks to put a quilt together if you’re doing beading.
ORIGINS OF PATCHWORK AND QUILTING
Patchwork and quilting have been practised as both practical and decorative crafts for centuries. In the 18th century patchwork was a lady’s leisure pursuit, while quilting was considered a professional skill. Plain quilts and quilted petticoats were popular, the latter being worn for fashionable daywear.
Their popularity has fluctuated according to changes in society but the crafts have emerged as popular, relevant and widely practised in the 21st century, building on traditional skills and experimenting with contemporary artistic techniques.
Source: Quilters Guild