The theme for this week’s virtual quilt contest is Summer Vacation. Grab yourself a cup of coffee and browse these fabulous quilts! Thanks to everyone that entered.

Two lucky winners of this week’s contest will each win a layer cake of their choice from the Fat Quarter Shop.

Now it’s time for you to vote for your favourite!!

• Voting is open Friday – Sunday @ 11:59 p.m.
• One vote per IP address (NOT email address), so have your family and friends cast a ballot for their favourite quilt (from home if you send it to coworkers)
• Winner announced Monday!
• New: in the event of a tie at the end of voting, 5 random Facebook quilters will be asked to vote again to break the tie.

Next week’s theme is Log Cabins. I’m looking forward to seeing the fabulous quilts. Remember, interpretation of the theme is up to you. Get your cameras out!

Facebook, email subscribers and RSS readers: You need to visit the Quilting Gallery blog to vote: CLICK HERE

I had the great pleasure of leaving my home in what some people this summer are calling the Baked Apple (NYC) for a day, and heading out to Milwaukee where I visited the Milwaukee Art Museum and the exhibition "American Quilts: Selections from the Winterthur Collection". The show is on until September 6.

I was excited to see selections from one of the finest collections of early American quilts when my car pulled up to the Museum and I beheld the jaw-dropping futuristic architecture.

And inside, the museum was just as stunning! That’s Lake Michigan you see out the window.

In the Museum lobby, the signage for the exhibition shows a detail of an appliqué counterpane quilt by an unknown maker from around 1800-1825. It’s influenced by Indian palampores (a type of hand-painted and mordant-dyed bed cover made for export) and features birds and a butterfly cut from fabrics printed by John Hewson, a Philadelphia calico printer who learned his trade in London.

Here’s the quilt in its full vibrant glory depicting a tree in flower with curling branches and heart-shaped leaves. It’s so unique and feels to me like the tree of life. (Photo credit: Maker unknown, Appliqué counterpane, 1800–25. Cotton, 100 x 92 in. Courtesy, Winterthur, Museum purchase with funds provided by Mr. Samuel Pettit in memory of his wife, Sally Pettit)

Mel Buchanan, an assistant curator at the Milwaukee Art Museum and one of the organizers of "American Quilts", showed me some of her favorite pieces among the more than 40 objects of beauty and fine art. She pointed out the Quaker quilt in a starburst style that was made by Rebecca Scattergood Savery in 1827 for a marriage that sadly never took place because a split in the Quaker church divided the two families into different religious camps. There are 6,708 patches of printed cotton in this stunning quilt that shows an artist’s eye for color play, patterning and abstraction.

(Photo credit: Rebecca Scattergood Savery, Pieced quilt, 1827. Top: cotton; backing: cotton, 132 x 128 in. Courtesy, Winterthur, Museum purchase with funds provided by the estate of Mrs. Samuel Pettit and additional funds by Mr. Samuel Pettit in memory of his wife)

This shot gives an idea of the scale of the quilts and the top-notch installation. The quilt on the right was made by Fanny Johnson McPherson between 1835 and 1850. She was the granddaughter of the first governor of Maryland and a cousin to the wife of John Quincy Adams.

Here’s a detail from a wholecloth quilt that was used by Henry Francis du Pont. It shows American presidents and features an encircled Andrew Jackson. Winterthur Museum & Country Estate in Delaware is du Pont’s former home. He was one of the 20th century’s most avid antique collectors and horticulturists. Quilts were one of his obsessions and many of the rare textiles of the late 1700s and early 1800s featured in this exhibition were collected by du Pont himself.

A detail from Martha Agry Vaughn’s quilt (ca. 1805) made of fascinating and rare fabrics like dress silks, cotton velvet printed with silver spangles evokes memories of glamour and party dresses.

Here are some more views of the exhibition:

This is a detail from the oldest quilt on view. Dating from the 17th century, the color is actually a bright goldenrod yellow.

This detail of a mosaic-pieced cotton bedcover of beautifully stitched hexagons by Sarah Moon Cadbury Cash was made in England, but was given to her American great-nieces when they visited from Philadelphia.

I thought this miniature bed (1800-1825), complete with its original quilt, hangings, mattress, bolster and pillows, was charming, and gave insight into early American bedrooms.

The amazing works in "American Quilts: Selections from the Winterthur Collection" document the lives of their creators – from making political statements to celebrating marriages – while providing a glimpse into the birth of the American textile industry. Through skillful needlework and careful color coordination, the quilt makers transformed an array of fabrics, both common and exotic, into extraordinary works of art. Yes, the quilts engage graphic patterning and subtle color harmony, but they also tell stories from popular literature and politics, or feature individual scraps of fabric that travelled from far off places as part of the global economy.

It’s worth a trip to Milwaukee to see the show and the Museum, but if you can’t make it, you might want to check out the book "Quilts in a Material World" , by Linda Eaton, a 208-page hardcover that provides a rare opportunity to view the strengths of the Winterthur quilt collection.

Over the weekend, I got caught up on Bradie’s Summer Star Sampler quilt and got back to working on Rachel’s Pinwheel Sampler quilt. This quilt got put on hold a couple of months ago, but I’d really like to finish it this summer.

Here’s my Block 6:

See blocks 1 to 5 here.

I also cut out Blocks 7 and 8 as well as the sashing, cornerstones, scrappy binding, and top/bottom border fabrics.

I was inspired by this quilt here, to add top and bottom borders of squares. The quilt should finish around 56″x68″.

So, what have you been working on?

Blocks 1 and 2

Blocks 3 and 4

Blocks 5 and 6

Thanks to Bradie for the fabulous instructions. These blocks have gone together so well. Are you doing this quilt-along too? Share a link below in the comments.

Click here, to join the FUN!! If, like me, you were a little intimidated by this sampler quilt, don’t worry. Bradie’s doing a beginner version too, which uses the same 12 main blocks, but not the large centre one. Click here to see it.

For more inspiration, check out the Flickr group.

The theme for this week’s virtual quilt contest is Seashore. Grab yourself a cup of coffee and browse these fabulous quilts! Thanks to everyone that entered.

The winner of this week’s contest will win a $30 gift certificate from Around the Block Quilters Shop.

Now it’s time for you to vote for your favourite!!

• Voting is open Friday – Sunday @ 11:59 p.m.
• One vote per IP address (NOT email address), so have your family and friends cast a ballot for their favourite quilt (from home if you send it to coworkers)
• Winner announced Monday!
• New: in the event of a tie at the end of voting, 5 random Facebook quilters will be asked to vote again to break the tie.

Next week’s theme is Summer Vacation. I’m looking forward to seeing the fabulous quilts. Remember, interpretation of the theme is up to you. Get your cameras out!

Facebook, email subscribers and RSS readers: You need to visit the Quilting Gallery blog to vote: CLICK HERE

The theme for this week’s virtual quilt contest is Picnics. The quilts are wonderful summery inspiration. Thanks to everyone that entered.

Two winners of this week’s contest will each win a $25 gift certificate to use in Sheree’s Alchemy online store.

Now it’s time for you to vote for your favourite!!

• Voting is open Friday – Sunday @ 11:59 p.m.
• One vote per IP address (NOT email address), so have your family and friends cast a ballot for their favourite quilt (from home if you send it to coworkers)
• Winner announced Monday!
• New: in the event of a tie at the end of voting, 5 random Facebook quilters will be asked to vote again to break the tie.

Reminder: Enter for your chance to win Patsy Thompson’s DVD: Free Motion Fun…with Feathers!. You have until July 19th to enter.

Next week’s theme is Seashore. I’m looking forward to seeing the fabulous quilts. Remember, interpretation of the theme is up to you. Get your cameras out!

Facebook, email subscribers and RSS readers: You need to visit the Quilting Gallery blog to vote: CLICK HERE

The theme for this week’s virtual quilt contest is Patriotism. The quilts are fantastic. Thanks to everyone that entered.

The winner of this week’s contest will win a Zippity Doo Dah Fat Quarter Bundle Plus one Panel from Jojo’s Quilt Shoppe.

All Quilting Gallery guests can enter code PATRIOT to receive an additional 10% off their order at JoJo’s during this contest (excludes shipping, BOM, promotions, and cannot be combined with other offers). Start your shopping here!

Now it’s time for you to vote for your favourite!!

• Voting is open Friday – Sunday @ 11:59 p.m.
• One vote per IP address (NOT email address), so have your family and friends cast a ballot for their favourite quilt (from home if you send it to coworkers)
• Winner announced Monday!
• New: in the event of a tie at the end of voting, 5 random Facebook quilters will be asked to vote again to break the tie.

Next week’s theme is Picnics. I’m looking forward to seeing the wonderful quilts. Get your cameras out!

Facebook, email subscribers and RSS readers: You need to visit the Quilting Gallery blog to vote: CLICK HERE

The theme for this week’s virtual quilt contest is Friendships. The quilts are fantastic. Thanks to everyone that entered.

The first and second place winner of this week’s contest will each receive one of Mary Tatem’s new books Quilt of Joy or Quilt of Faith. Find out more about these lovely books and to purchase them.

Now it’s time for you to vote for your favourite!!

• Voting is open Friday – Sunday @ 11:59 p.m.
• One vote per IP address (NOT email address), so have your family and friends cast a ballot for their favourite quilt (from home if you send it to coworkers)
• Winner announced Monday!
• New: in the event of a tie at the end of voting, 5 random Facebook quilters will be asked to vote again to break the tie.

Next week’s theme is Patriotism. I’m looking forward to seeing the gorgeous patriotic quilts from around the world. Get your cameras out!

Facebook, email subscribers and RSS readers: You need to visit the Quilting Gallery blog to vote: CLICK HERE

The theme for this week’s virtual quilt contest is Quilts for Fathers. The quilts are gorgeous.

The winner of this week’s contest will receive a $30 gift certificate from Around the Block Quilters Shop in Illinois.

Thanks to the sponsor and also to everyone that entered.

Now it’s time for you to vote for your favourite!!

• Voting is open Friday – Sunday @ 11:59 p.m.
• One vote per IP address (NOT email address), so have your family and friends cast a ballot for their favourite quilt (from home if you send it to coworkers)
• Winner announced Monday!
• New: in the event of a tie at the end of voting, 5 random Facebook quilters will be asked to vote again to break the tie.

Next week’s theme is Friendships. Keep in mind that you can interpret the theme in many ways. You may wish to submit a quilt that you made for a friend, or a quilt made with blocks from friends, etc. Note: for this weekly contest only, I will accept submissions of quilts that were given to you by dear friends that are sadly no longer with us. Please use the description field to tell us your quilt story. I’m looking forward to seeing your beautiful quilts. Get your cameras out!

The voting schedule for next week may shift slightly due to the Canadian and American holidays. Check the blog for the most recent information.

Facebook, email subscribers and RSS readers: You need to visit the Quilting Gallery blog to vote: CLICK HERE

The theme for this week’s virtual quilt contest is Story Quilts. The quilts are fantastic. Thanks to everyone that entered.

The first and second place winner of this week’s contest will each receive one of Mary Tatem’s new books Quilt of Joy or Quilt of Faith. Fine out more about these lovely books and to purchase them.

Now it’s time for you to vote for your favourite!!

• Voting is open Friday – Sunday @ 11:59 p.m.
• One vote per IP address (NOT email address), so have your family and friends cast a ballot for their favourite quilt (from home if you send it to coworkers)
• Winner announced Monday!

Next week’s theme is Fathers. I’m looking forward to seeing your beautiful quilts. Get your cameras out!

Facebook, email subscribers and RSS readers: You need to visit the Quilting Gallery blog to vote: CLICK HERE