I went to the Houston Quilt show

Last year I took a trip with other quilt members to the Houston Quilt show.  It was so amazing, I went again this year.  I was not disappointed.

It is known as an international quilt show and that it is.  Quilts from all over the world are on display there.  You think of quilting as an American craft but it really isn’t.   I heard many different languages, saw different cities I had never heard of on the quilt description sheets and even bought some gifts from a vendor from New Zealand.

I was particularly struck by two things while at the show.  One was how friendly everyone was.  Now that really is not so unusual but I noticed that with the bond of quilting and fiber arts, quilters truly are friends who just haven’t met yet.  I got to know better some of the guild members I traveled with and carried on conversations with quilters from England, Canada and closer to home, Kansas.  We shared tips on the best quilts to check out, the best vendors to visit, as well as complaints as to how cold it was in Houston that day (it was unseasonably cold for this time of year.  And those traveling who expected Houston, Texas to be warm were very surprised.).

The other thing that struck me was the imagination and creativity that was on display.  Even with an exhibit that had a theme (like the show theme of blue and white quilts) no idea or pattern was duplicated.   I have had people tell me that quilting is old fashion, or on its way out as an art form or that you see the same thing over and over.  Just one look at the quilts in Houston or any quilt show really, and you see that that is not true.

As far as quilting being thought of as old fashion, I saw one quilt that from a distance looked like metal chain mail which I thought was unusual for a quilt show but on closer inspection I found it was layered and cut fabric.  The illusion was amazing (sorry due to copyright laws I can’t share any pictures of the quilts at the show.)  Another quilt had a bit of technology attached to it.  It looked like a landscape with the foreground made of light and dark colored triangles.  As you looked at it, the light colors changed from pinks and oranges to purple and blues.  The quilt was attached to a frame and there were lights behind the quilt that would change colors giving the different color changes to the light colored fabric.  I never would have thought to do that.

The idea that quilting is an art form that is on its way out of popularity or that you often see the same design is certainly not true when you see all the quilters who were at that show that day or even looking at all the quilts displayed.  You might not see your grandmother’s scrappy log cabin quilt but you will see a log cabin with the word LOOK inside two diamond designs all made of small log cabin blocks.  You might not see a summer coverlet made of my favorite yoyo pieces, but you will see a pixilated picture of a woman’s face made out of yoyos.  It is the quilts made of such detail that they look like photos but are actually pieced or appliquéd that make my jaw drop.

I told a woman I met there that I had been quilting since 1982 and yet coming to this show I feel like an amateur.  But that is the beauty of this quilt show and others shows, quilting has a place for everyone and there is always something new to explore and learn and create. And every quilt show you go to or every show and tell in a quilt meeting you get to see can inspire you to make something new or go in a different direction with your art.  If you ever get a chance to go to the International Quilt Show in Houston or anywhere, don’t pass that chance up.  You will not regret it.

©2019 Cheryl Fillion

 

 

I Went to the Houston Quilt Show

Last week a group of quilters from our local quilt guild rented a bus and went to the International Quilt Show in Houston, Texas.  I hadn’t been in years and even went into training to prepare myself.  (Training?  - yeah, I did more walking to get ready for the walking I would do at the Convention Center. hahaha).

I am so glad I did.  There were over 1000 quilts and hundreds of vendors.  All of it was inspiring and overwhelming.  The quilts were magnificent; definitely the best of the best of quilting. (for copyright reasons I can’t post any pictures.)  They came from all over the world.  I saw quilts from Japan, China, and South Africa as well as quilts from my state of Texas.  You could just be walking along and hear languages from all over the world.   It is truly an international event.

I was inspired by what I saw.  The use of color and imagery was amazing.  There were a lot of special theme exhibits.  One was having to do with Mother Earth, another with Elvis Presley and a group of wall hangings from South Africa.    The different interpretations of each theme were astonishing.  It just shows how diverse people are in their thinking and quilting. 

There were a lot of traditional quilts that made you say Wow when you saw them (I said wow a lot).  And lots of abstract art quilts and pictorial quilts.  Some of the picture quilts looked like photographs until you got up close and saw that they were fabric and thread.  There was a group of thread painted quilts that really did look like photos.  In fact friends I have shown my pictures to can’t believe they are not photos. Look up thread painting on the internet and you will see what I mean.

At times I would think “Just hang up your needle and thread, Cheryl.  You will never be that good.”  But when I would see another different design or color scheme, I realized all quilts are wonderful and all quilts need to be included even my own.

I am new at the craft of art quilts.  I told my brother after seeing these quilts, I now want to try and see what I can do. And that is what quilt shows are all about.  Not just to put a quilter’s work on display but to inspire other quilters to keep on quilting and strive to be the best. 

If you go to a big quilt show like this, go with a friend or friends.  It is much more fun to share the experience.  You don’t have to look at the quilts together; everyone looks at art at a different pace.  But generally sharing the experience together makes it more memorable.  I will remember the bus trip there and back as much as the show itself.

And dress for comfort not fashion.  You will be standing and walking a lot so you might as well be comfortable.  If you want to buy food there and not carry a lunch, go for it.  But I had a feeling there was going to be long lines at any food area so I brought my own water and sandwich.  I didn’t want to waste any time waiting in a line when I could be looking at quilts.

I am trying to use the supplies I have so I didn't buy much but I have to say the vendors were amazing.  If that is what you like to do the most at the quilts shows, bring a totebag to put your purchase bags in.  You don’t want to be worrying about dropping or leaving behind some purchase because you can’t hold on to all the bags holding your treasures. 

And most definitely watch your money.  This is just the place for those who can slip their hand in a purse and walk away with your wallet without you knowing.  I brought a purse with a flap that covered up the opening and kept that flap toward my body when it was on my shoulder.  One friend wore a jacket with breast pockets and that is where she kept her money and credit cards.  She said it did get warm with the jacket on but she didn’t mind as long as her money was safe.

And I joked at the start of this blog that I went into training but I have to tell you, I am so glad I increased my walking time before the quilt show.  I started off with short walks in August and gradually increase the time and distance.  I have done quilts shows before and have come home so sore I could barely get out of bed the next day.  But not this time.  Oh my feet were sore but not hurting.  And my back has felt better since I have been walking more.  (Now just don’t tell my doctor it was the quilt show and not her medical advice that got me walking more.)

My advice to you is if you have a chance to go to a big quilt show and especially if someone else is driving, GO!  It is well worth the time, the money and you will be so inspired to do some more quilting.

©2018  Cheryl Fillion