Saturday, June 29, 2019

QuiltSpeak Exhibit at the North Carolina Museum of History

Postage Stamp by Mamie Hollis Dameron
 I went to see the QuiltSpeak exhibit at the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh, NC.

Princess Feather by Priscilla Robinson Grose

The variety of styles, techniques, and materials represented were extensively wonderful.
It was difficult to photograph, with the special lighting and no flash to protect the quilts. 

 In this detail of the above quilt you can see the fabulous hand quilting, done in tiny stitches.  Do you see the red thread outlining the green applique?  That is a very small blanket stitch.  It inspired me to do some blanket stitching on my current project, although I did mine by machine.

Cotton Boll by Probably Nancy Johnston

This quilt's visual impact is just stunning!  The traditional red and green applique over white is classic color combination.  My photo shows just one block of this amazing quilt.

Tennessee Beauty by Louisa Green Furches

Another amazing quilt!  Tennessee Beauty showcases precise piecing (yes, those curved patches are pieced!) and fabulous quilting.  

Heel, Tap & Shoe Point by Ara Adner Williams Farrar

This is my favorite quilt in the exhibit.  I'm sorry I couldn't get a good photo of this one.  I love the block design!  It's so unique and beautifully done.

 Here's a detail of the above quilt, shown in black and white so you can better see the design and quilting.  

Six-Pointed Star by Mary Blount Grimes

Each quilt is accompanied by a short story that tells about the quilt and it's maker.  This quilt had my favorite story.  It's sewn in silk fabric, and though it looks to be English Paper Piecing, it's not!  It's all very precisely hand pieced from fabrics the maker acquired from her suitor's ties and her own dresses.

Mariner's Compass by Elizabeth Jennie Roach Witherington

Fabulous Mariner's Compass quilt!

Crazy Quilt Top by Sallie Fisher

One of two crazy quilts on display.  Amazing to see in person!

 My son, Trent creating some designs using the interactive display.

Double Wedding Ring by Diana Lualtah Myers Cecil

Double Wedding Ring quilt made with feedsacks.

Checkerboard associated with Edith Anne Williams Uzzell
 I really liked this quilt made with all blue and white plaid fabric.

Not a terrific photo, and also not part of the QuiltSpeak exhibit, but I love this Alligator pincushion on display in another section of the museum!

This is just a small sample of the quilts included in the Quilt Speak exhibit.  If you're in the Raleigh, North Carolina area I highly recommend checking it out.  It was amazing to see these quilts in person and read the stories about them.  It's going to be open through March 8, 2020 at the North Carolina Museum of History, and it's a free exhibit.  I purchased the accompanying book from the gift shop.  It shows all of the quilts, and has more detailed information about each one.  I'm enjoying the read.

Be Creative ~ Sew Something Beautiful Today.

Jennifer Thomas




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2 comments:

  1. I forgot all about this show! thanks for the preview!! those blocks I've played with as a kid, I think.... never thought of quilts with those!
    Next time you do something like this, let me know and we can finally meet!! :)

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  2. Thank you for sharing these pictures. I'm a day's drive away in Knoxville, TN, and not likely to be able to get to the show, but this preview really makes me wish I could!

    ReplyDelete