By Mary Jo
Every two years, the Baltimore Heritage Quilt Guild holds a Quilt Expo, and we always look forward to it. (The expos are every two years because making quilts takes time!) Besides the quilts, there are vendors, classes, sewing machines that look complicated enough to handle air traffic control for a major airport, and lots of other ways to celebrate fabric artists. Below are some delightful artisan pincushions. 
A friend of ours has been active in the Guild for many years and she always makes sure that we know when and where the show is held. It’s a grand time as well as a chance to catch up with our friend face to face. One of her 
works was the single most interesting one I saw at this year’s expo: This is a quilted chuppah.
A chuppah is the canopy under which couples stand for their marriage service, and I think it symbolizes the home they will create together. The chuppah is lovely in its own right with its tree like images of the four seasons. Even better, on the reverse side are stitched emblems for each of the couples who have been married beneath it. Embroidered in Hebrew on one edge is the biblical saying, “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.” From the Song of Solomon, I think.
Another quilter was inspired by Austrian artist Gustave Klimt’s work. There were a couple of large projects in this style, but 
naturally the 
one I liked best was this cat quilt. I’ll show the whole piece, the main cat, and a delightful little cat cameo in the border.
I certainly never expected to find a quilted recipe for “Deer B Gone,” including the wise instruction to stand upwind when applying!
There were so many beautiful quilted pieces! I’ll add several more for you to enjoy: ++Psychedelically bright flowers;
++A questing turtle
++An annoyed looking Bunny Cat.
++An abstract image of the dazzling city of Dubai.
Do you love quilts and quilting? Any favorites among those above?
Mary Jo
Thanks for such a beautiful post, Mary Jo! I love the Oriental Lady quilt. So detailed and intricate! A lot if work went into it.
Ooh, i love beautiful quilts! We have a similar show every two years up here in Westchester County in New York. The quilts are jaw droppingly gorgeous, whimsical and unusual. I have a friend who lives near Boston who belongs to a quilt guid and does beautiful quilts and quilted placemats, pillows, curtains, etc for her home and as gifts. It us quite a skill. I once did a couple of quoted throw pillows, but nothing since then.
Sigh….. Here we go again with my typos! “Quilted” not “quoted”
Jane A, aren’t the quilts amazing? It sounds like the two year intervals between shows is general, and makes perfect sense given the complexity of the projects.
And don’t worry about the typo–I do such things ALL the time!
Fascinating post, Mary Jo. The biblical quote on the chupah quilt is indeed from The Song of Solomon. And at one edge of the quilt she had the saying in the original Hebrew. I think quilts make for splendid art. I was lucky enough to go to a showing if Baltimore album quilts at the Maryland Historical Society. Amazing! Did you think about buying a cat quilt?
Binnie, I loved when she showed me the quote in Hebrew! It’s incredibly romantic. And yes, several shows back I bought a gorgeous, brilliantly colored cat hanging. It’s in my dinning room because cats like looking at food.
Many years ago, over “ spring break” from the respective schools where my husband and I taught, we took our young daughter on a trip to Amish country in Pennsylvania. We enjoyed the Amish cooking and visits to Amish farms, but were most impressed by the beautiful quilts produced by the ladies of the area. The quilts were of the traditional variety, with patterns such as “Log Cabin” and “Wedding Ring.” We fell in love with, and purchased a completely hand-stitched beauty. Reflecting the origins of the Amish people, the pattern was fittingly called “Dresden Plate.” We bought several smaller quilted items as gifts. Among them were an apron for my mom, and a quilted pad upon which to place hot casseroles and the like. It was filled with cinnamon, and gave off a lovely fragrance when something hot was placed upon it.
Patricia, what a lovely trip and a lovely memory! Plus you have the quilt to cuddle in. I’d not heard of a cinnamon scented hot pad, but I love the idea.
I have no talent what so ever for making them but I love looking at them. My favorite of the one above is the same as yours (cats). My church had a quilting bee and would offer their handiwork as prizes at our church carnival every year. I always wanted to win one so badly, but it never happened (sob).
Love the pictures.
Well, DARN about not winning one of the quilts, Mary T! Perhaps someday you’ll find a quilt that jumps into your arms and says, “Take me home!” Such things do happen.
The chuppah is so beautiful – and I love the idea of adding the names/symbols of each couple married beneath it.
A church south of Boston used to hold a quilt exhibit every year. A large number of both modern and older quilts were laid over the backs of the church pews and hung from the balcony railings. Volunteers from the church, wearing white gloves, would turn the quilts so that those of us fascinated by the stitching could see the work close up. There was always a program that gave the age, pattern name, and quilter name for each piece. Many had been collected on travels or passed down through local families. And your ticket to the exhibit also included lunch in the church basement, served by men of the church wearing red aprons with quilted pockets! It hasn’t been held since COVID and each spring my friends and I miss it!
Constance, I also loved the chuppah and the marriages it recorded. I’m sorry that the Boston church doesn’t do the quilt exhibit anymore–it sounds wonderful! Sigh. One om many things killed by COVID>
Lovely post, and I thank you. The artists are very talented. And I appreciate the opportunity to see some of their work.
And I appreciated the reminder of enduring love.
I have neither the patience or skill to quilt but I do appreciate their beauty. I have friends back in Pennsylvania who do it. I remember they used to hold some big fundraising events featuring quilts. Big money!
I do love quilts. I’ve made a few baby quilts myself, but never a full-sized one. I believe the technique used in the lovely geisha quilt above is called trapunto. It’s when you stuff extra batting into certain sections to raise them up, giving the quilt a 3 dimensional look.
Karin, yes, that technique is a good part of what makes that quilt so special. There were several similar quilts by that creator, but this one was my favorite.
I love them all but especially the Japanese lady. Just beautiful, such detail. The pin cushions are cute. My grandmother quilted but I never had the patience. However, living in Pennsylvania, we can find beautiful quilts among our Amish and Mennonite neighbors.
Jan, living in Pennsylvania must give you serious quilt temptation regularly!
Those are absolutely fabulous, Mary Jo, and of course I love the Japanese one the most! The quilt I’m making seems very mundane now but at least I have something to aspire to for next time (if I ever finish the one I’m working on). Thank you for such a lovely post!
You’re very welcome, Christina! The quilts are so beautiful they must be shared! Maybe your next quilt can have Japanese elements?