the berry quilt show

I've been reluctant to do my Berry Modern Quilt Show write-up because my photographs were yellow-tinged and cluttered. I needed better lenses and filters to break through the exhibition hall lighting. I wanted the photographs and this blog post to showcase the quilts in the way they were meant to be enjoyed. I hemmed and hawed whether bad photos were better than no photos, then set to work to make the best of them. The result is a virtual catalogue of a handful of pieces from the show. There were so many wonderful quilts, over 150; I wish I had more for you. 

Don't forget to view them at full size to read the captions with my thoughts on the quilts, then follow the links at the end to visit the makers' websites to see the quilts in their full-color glory. Of course, this was my first time exhibiting, so I'm obligated to kick things off with a group quilt that I submitted and a rare photo of me in front of one of my quilts.

Hopefully you can get a sense that the show was enjoyable and there was plenty to talk about. Those of us who wanted to could discuss the modern aesthetic, while others simply enjoyed the community show. Berry was a brilliant location for the event. We were surrounded by good views, good food and a host of entertainment. 

To learn more about the quilts above, visit Kim Simpson at Simpson&Scarlett, Gemma Jackson at Pretty Bobbins, Julie McMahon at Procrasticraft, Jane Davidson aka QuiltJane of Want It, Need It, Quilt, Rachael Letham at the Wollongong Modern Quilt Guild and Jessica Wheelahan at Beats and Pieces.   

A few other quilts I enjoyed at the show included Kathy Thorncraft's (CraftyKat) version of Alison Glass' Feather quilt, Crystal McGann's (Two Little Aussie Birds) Modern Medallion and Anna Maria Horner's Flight Map which I believe travelled the greatest distance to be in the show. Anna Maria Horner's quilt has also given me the mental permission I needed to hand-tie quilts in the future. I reckon if it's good enough for a pro, then it's good enough for me. 

A huge thanks to the Wollongong Modern Quilt Guild and their team of help for putting together the show! It didn't take long for people to start asking about the next one.


** On an Australian quilt show related note: the deadline is coming up soon for the Under 35 competition sponsored by the NSW Quilters' Guild. It's open Australia-wide to encourage our next generation of quilters. If you know an up and coming quilter or are a spry young thing yourself, then get that needle churning. I visited the inaugural show in 2012; so much creativity, originality and fresh ideas packed into one space.