Quilt World Favorites of 2016

It is the end of the year and many are announcing the best and worst list for the year. However, I hesitated to do so because it is so subjective. Also, even if I didn’t choose an exhibition, auction, or book at the top of the list, it doesn’t mean it didn’t have value or that I couldn’t learn something from it. Instead, I decided to pick my “favorites” of the year, that way I’m being honest about the subjectivity.

Favorite Exhibition: The Fabric of India at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. I technically saw the exhibition in December of 2015, but the exhibition ran into this year, as did my reading of the exhibition book. It was an amazing exhibition, which provided some detailed info for a new theory of fabric printing Kay and I had been contemplating. The discussion with Rosemary Crill also made the visit even more memorable.

For the most interesting auction I choose, First Annual Textiles & Sewing July 16, 2016. It featured deaccessioned material from the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA) which meant some true treasures were being released into the market. (The auction of some Hampton Court textiles also peaked my interest, but not enough quilts for me to choose it.) At the MESDA auction, my eye was first caught by the American Patriotic Theme whole-cloth, but the Maryland “Lone Star” got the higher bid. Even if you aren’t buying, auctions are a wonderful resource for eye candy and building antique quilt knowledge.

Favorite Book: National Parks: Their Landscapes and Wildlife in Fabric Perspectives. Yes, I know I probably should have chosen a research driven book, or an antique quilt book, but this book won me over on two counts. First the beautiful art quilts, but second the interdisciplinary approach to these wonderful national treasures: our parks. I’ve spent many memorable days in these parks, so the book combined two of my loves.

Finally, I should probably tell you about the new tool I used the most this year. It is the 3” travel ruler by Karen Kay Buckley. It was a huge help to me with my hand quilting and I could take it everywhere with me. Those are my choices for 2016, I’m sure Kay would choose other favorites and maybe you would too. I can’t wait to see what 2017 will unveil in the quilting world!