Taunton's Threads - For people who love to sew
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Threads magazine International Quilt Festival 2003 in Houston Quilters aren't the only ones who found bliss at this year's festival
For those who do like to sew, this event dished up a mouthwatering banquet to satisfy any palate. There were hundreds of museum-quality quilts on display, and hundreds of classes for sewers of all persuasions: quilters, garment sewers, surface embellishers, embroiderers, rug hookers, and computer digitizers and patternmakers.
There were six miles of aisles containing vendors' booths where attendees acquired both merchandise and a few good stories along the way. The Slideshow samples just a few of the many things that captured our fancy. Special exhibitions display quilts, garments, and dolls "Kells: Magnum Opus," a top winner last year, was on display in the Husqvarna Viking Gallery of Quilt Art -- "Master Pieces: Spirit and Strength." In total, there were more than 20 special exhibits at the Festival, all of which provided endless inspiration to fiber artists and designers of every ilk.
The International Quilt Association exhibited their "Quilts: A World of Beauty" finalists -- all competing for $70,250 in cash and prizes. Other exhibits included "In the American Tradition II," sponsored by Coats & Clark, "Hands All Around XIX: International Quilts," sponsored by Quilter's Newsletter Magazine, "Tactile Architecture 2003," "I Remember Mama," "The St. Jude Quilt of Hope," and "American Strengths, American Values," all sponsored by the International Quilt Festival. There was an exhibit of fabulous fabric art dolls organized by elinor peace bailey called "In Celebration of the Doll 2003." June Colburn Designs II, Inc. sponsored "Kimono: Along the Silk Road," a collection of outstanding garments by 13 artists.
One of the high points of the Festival for every garment sewer is Bernina's fashion extravaganza. [Image 4] This year's presentation, entitled "Fantasy," showcased amazing wearable-art pieces by 50 artists, professionally modeled on a dramatically lighted runway. Register online at www.berninausa.com to see all of the dazzling designs. Better early than late It's not too early to plan for next year. The best hotel rooms usually book far in advance. The 2004 International Quilt Festival will take place at the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston, November 4-7. Find out more at www.quilts.com. If you think you'd like to register for some of next year's classes, act early, as space quickly fills up.
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