Amelia Island: 2020 Quilts by the Sea

Amelia Island: 2020 Quilts by the Sea

To tell the truth (as I almost always do), I was not familiar with quilting, other than memories of my grandmother’s threadbare and faded coverings that warmed me in the chill mornings on the farm, with snow so deep the horses had to be lifted by elevator to the hayloft and even we tiny children drank Jim Beam for breakfast to keep our blood from freezing.

No, that’s not true.  It was Johnny Walker.

But, of course quilting goes back even farther than my ancient memories.  As my young sons would ask, “Geez, Dad, back before cell phones?”

Yes.  Matter of fact, quilting can be traced back (by those even older than I) to Egypt at the time of the Pharaohs, and in the U.S. back to the Pilgrims, which we all know was even before video games.

As you might guess, quilting began as a necessity for bedding and warmth.  Simply put, quilting is hand-stitched patches of ragged cloth, with padding in between.  

In modern times, quilts are mostly machine made, but that doesn’t mean the old customs and crafts have passed on to the great beyond.  In fact, quilting is quite popular today, but gone are the ragged pieces of cloth.  Quilting has become a vibrant art form, the realm of super talented (and very patient) people, whose art has taken flight to ridiculous heights of ingenuity, design, color and construction.

At this year’s 2020 Quilts By the Sea, sponsored by the Amelia Island Quilt Guild, I saw stitched fabrics that rival, in texture and technique and sheer beauty, the art hanging on the walls of the finest painting galleries.

Interested in quilting, even beginning quilting?  Here’s where to start:

http://www.aiquilters.com

But, to talk and tell is not to see!  And you need to see.  So, I will step aside and do my best to show you the wondrous world  and art of modern quilting.

Best in Show!  Wind Beneath My Wings by Janet Sebastian, JB McCrary, and quilted by Sue Daurio

My personal favorite by Mary Williams.

The artist with her masterpiece.

Another favorite:

Favorites, yes, but all the quilts were magnificent!

Angel make from a book!  Pages folded to form the skirt and wings.

Can you even imagine the needlework this took???

Even at close inspection, this cloth quilt appears to be be made from tiles!

An apron made from a shirt!

First time quilter?  Classes and conversation offered!