About the Works in Quilt National '05

The quilts in the '05 collection continue to reflect the artists' interest in using their medium to give voice to a concern for either the world at large -- as in the numerous environmental issues addressed by the works -- or to express feelings relevant to the particular quiltmaker's inner world. For many of today's quiltmakers the graphic and technical elements are the foundations which support the primary concern -- the content of the quilt's message.

What you will see at the Dairy Barn in the summer of 2005

Technically, the works run the gamut from a series of related blocks carefully executed in commercial fabrics to a single over-all image employing self-dyed fabric, vinyl cloth, ink and found objects. The development of photo-transfer materials and techniques has enabled artists to marry surface design and photography as never before. The possibilities for today's fiber artist are limitless. If the desired pattern, color or subject matter is unavailable as a commercial product, the artist takes advantage of newly available techniques (and opportunities to learn how to use them) to create exactly what is needed to convey the specific message. The majority of today's quilts represent a combination of hand and machine techniques. For an ever increasing number of artists, the challenge and versatility provided by the latest generation of sewing machines has allowed them to create special effects by quilting with a hand-guided electric needle.

For some artists, quilting the layers together is far from the final step -- now it's time to embellish the beautifully textured surface. Embroidery, paint and the painstaking addition of buttons and beads further enrich the overall effects of color, texture and shape -- the staples of the quiltmaker's art.

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Selection Process About the Entrants About the Artists
About the Dairy Barn Art Quilts in Perspective
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