Machine Quilters Expo 2007

Machine Quilters Expo 2007 - Show Celebrates 5th Anniversary

by Patricia Cummings
photos by James Cummings

April 13, 2007

This year, the fifth anniversary of the Machine Quilters Expo, was again anticipated with great eagerness. Show attendees were greeted by an array of lovely and professionally-fashioned quilts, and friendly vendors. The show was set up in two large display areas. One enticement to visit the second room was a special exhibit of quilts made by Ricky Tims, musician, quilter, and quilting instructor. Color, innovation, and fine workmanship were components of all the quilts in this year's exhibit. Various entries from the 2006 contest sponsored by the $100,000. Quilting Challenge magazine were on display. The winner of that challenge is Linda McCuean. Her cream-colored, wholecloth quilt is described as "flawless." We were there in the nick of time to catch a glimpse of the quilt before it was scooted off to another show in Chicago.

Machine Quilters Expo 2007, Sugar and Spice quilt by Renae Haddadin

Front side of "Sugar and Spice," a quilt by Renae Haddadin. photo by James Cummings

"Sugar and Spice," is a two-sided wholecloth quilt with embroidery on both sides. The description in the catalog states that each column has seven shades of thread that range from light to dark. The quilt is the brainchild of Renae Haddadin of Sandy, Utah, someone whose work we have admired in the past.

Machine Quilters Expo 2007, Sugar and Spice quilt back by Renae Haddadin

Reverse side of "Sugar and Spice," by Renae Haddadin. photo by James Cummings

"Lucky Clover," is the name of a quilt entered into the "Edge-to-Edge, Rookie" category. This Log Cabin quilt is arranged in the shape of a clover. The quilt caught Jim's eye. For the life of me, I will never understand it, but men really do seem to like Log Cabin quilts...a lot! I enjoyed seeing the fabrics chosen by Linda Hancock of Cumberland, Rhode Island.

Machine Quilters Expo 2007 Lucky Clover Quilt by Linda Hancock

Clever Use of Placement of Lights and Darks in this Log Cabin quilt to provide the image of a clover. "Lucky Clover," by Linda Hancock. photo by James Cummings

"Rose Log Cabin" is an entry by Jesse Copeland of Huntington, PA. This was placed in the "Edge-to-Edge" category. The quilter received a book by Deloa Jones entitled, Scraps: Organized to Perfection, and he has put the book's ideas to good use, utilizing fabrics that were already in his stash.

Machine Quilters Expo 2007, Rose Log Cabin by Jesse Copeland

"Rose Log Cabin," by Jesse Copeland, "scrap art" at its finest.
photo by James Cummings

"Lauren's Choice" is another quilt that Jim really likes. This black and white quilt with jewel-tone accents consisting of flowers on white backgrounds is the creation of Margaret Sykes of Woodgate, NY. She entered the quilt in the "Custom "Our Daily Bread," Rookie" category. The queen-size quilt was inspired by a Cross Cuts pattern.

Machine Quilters Expo 2007, Lauren's Choice quilt by Margaret Sykes

"Lauren's Choice," with appliquéd flower accents popping up from a pieced background rendered in classic neutral tones. photo by James Cummings

B.J. Titus of Coatesville, PA was inspired by some new plants at her favorite garden shop when she planned her quilt entitled, "Colossal Caladiums." She was impressed by the enormous size of their leaves. This quilt is an original design and utilizes hand-painted and hand-dyed fabrics. She quilted the piece, by machine, using a Bernina Artista Model 180, "without a stitch regulator."

Machine Quilters Expo 2007, Colossal Caladiums by Barbara Titus

"Colossal Caladiums," a wall hanging by B.J.Titus. photo by James Cummings

Just about the time we thought we had seen most of the show, we came across Michelle Wyman of Acworth, GA, standing near her first wholecloth quilt that won not one, but two ribbons in the show! She told me that she designed the quilt while taking a class with Karen McTavish at the 2006 MQX Show. She used a cut away trapunto technique. She calls her pink and white quilt, "Arabesque." If this is a first attempt, surely there will be more stunning work forthcoming in the future from this very enthusiastic machine quilter. Michelle used an A-1 Elite to machine quilt the piece. Her beautiful smile reflects the joy of this achievement. Congratulations to all who entered the show this year!

Machine Quilters Expo 2007, Arabesque quilt by Michelle Wyman

Michelle Wyman with her award-winning first attempt at making a wholecloth quilt, "Arabesque." photo by James Cummings

Many People Make a Great Show

The many vendors on hand were selling long-arm machine, fabrics, batting, threads, kits, and more. A few organizations were offering tickets for Opportunity Quilts. Representatives were present from All-American Crafts, Inc. and a subsidiary, Reality Publishing, Inc. of Stanhope, NJ. The later company produces the $100,000. Quilting Challenge magazine. In summary, the show was a very nice event to attend and it was brimming with talented people, all of whom are dedicated to the Art of Quilting.

Congratulations to show founders Janet-Lee Santeusanio and Mary Schilke. Visit their website: www.MQXShow.com or send an e-mail to MQXShow@comcast.net Alternatively, the contact phone number listed in the show catalogue is (603) 778-6994.