Ashe County Quilt Show: Art Quilts and More

Instead of my usual Wednesday-Work-in-Progress, today I will bring you more images from the Ashe County Piecemakers' Guild show in West Jefferson, NC, last weekend. I did have a WIP to show, but I actually finished it last night, and will show it later on.

Unlike the North Carolina Symposium show last May, this guild only had a handful of art quilt entries. This was my favorite: it represents "Sang" or American ginseng, a plant native to the North Carolina mountains whose roots are prized for various purported herbal health benefits. Aphrodisia is one of them!

I also really liked this quilt depicting a working mill. The water spilling over the dam is incredible!

The poinsettias on this quilt look lovely on a pieced log cabin background.

This is the most unusual piece in the show, in my opinion. This quilt is made of silks or satins with delicious quilting.

It does not resemble any other quilts from this mountain community, and I believe it was made by one of the "snowbirds," or Florida residents who escape the heat by residing here during the summer months. At the center of each four-patch is a 3-D floral element.

Since the entire show was judged by Viewer's Choice, the only quilts with ribbons were from some guild project involving teaching quilting as a service project, I believe to children. I liked this painted sunflower quilt.

This is the most colorful Bargello quilt I have ever seen.

This was a rather outstanding large quilt depicting Lewis and Clark's explorations. I wonder if it was made for the quilt contest featuring that theme a couple years ago?

There was only one entry in the garment category: this charming child's patchwork jacket.

There was an outstanding assortment of handbags. My favorite was this purple purse with a braided handle, piping, and artsy button.

My last report on the show will be the antique displays with wonderful quilts, hooked rugs, tatted lace, and furniture.