Well, after a few snags during set-up, and many wonderful compliments from those attending, the Twisted Stitchers 2023 Quilt Show is now behind us! My fellow guild members blew me away with the beauty, variety and creativity displayed last weekend at the show. Get ready to feast your eyes on the award winners…

It comes as no surprise that Tella V went home with the Best in Show Award (and also the CQA ribbon) for her work entitled “21 Days in Ibiza”. Tella‘s techniques included foundation paper piecing for the Mariners Compasses, freezer paper appliqué for the borders, and her incredible custom machine quilting on her longarm machine…the photo does not do it justice!

Tella’s artist statement: “I love these colours…teal is a symbol of the infinity of the sea and the sky. These colours evoke memories of my favourite island, Ibiza, as well as Spain and the Mediterranean Sea.”

Next up is the winner of the Most Inspirational Award…for the one quilt that inspires you to want to make it! Becky M made “Flower Monster” with the most amazing, brightly coloured flower prints. Her raw edge machine appliqué, block placement, and beautiful custom machine quilting on her longarm earned her this award. Unfortunately, Becky wasn’t around to have her picture taken with her winning quilt…rather than spending time with us at the quilt show she preferred to be on holiday with her family at Hilton Head!

Patti J went home with the Comfort Award, for the one quilt you would love to cuddle up with, with her entry “Merry and Bright”. No surprise here as it’s made with Tula Pink’s Holiday Homies Flannel. Patti purchased the kit which included the free pattern designed by Stacey Day of Free Spirit Fabrics and did the free motion quilting herself using a pantograph on Becky’s longarm machine. It is so cozy!

I was thrilled to take home the Most Innovative Award for my “Elvis Costello” quilt. Just like the Elton John quilt that I made a few years ago, a favourite photo of Elvis was posterized, traced onto a variety of black/white/grey print fabrics, then raw edged appliquéd. I’ll have a post about it in more detail soon. I even used a lot of the same fabrics in this one as I did with Elton. Thanks so much to photographer Zach Cordner for giving permission to use his great photo.

Not only did we have prizes awarded for the main part of the show, but also for the in-guild challenge. Each member who wished to take part in the challenge purchased a fat quarter of the selected fabric to make a small item (wallhanging, table runner, bag, etc). Gail S and I chose the Floral Multi on Black from Northcott Fabric’s line Quilt Retreat because we loved the bright, exuberant colours.

Congrats to Lily E who won the WOW! Award for her beautiful machine embroidered and crystalized piece inspired by the colours of the challenge fabric which is shown in the border. Chris R received the most votes in the Favourite Traditional Design category for her entry using the Arrowhead block. The bright green and yellow compliment the challenge fabric really well. And I was honoured to receive the Best Use of Challenge Fabric and the Most Twisted Award for my piece using English Paper Piecing, machine appliqué and crystals.

Because of Covid we haven’t had a quilt show since 2018 so it was long overdue…and we had forgotten how much work it was! Many thanks to the TSQG Quilt Show Committee, led by Marilyn S and Leona K, for all their hard work and dedication. See you in 2026?!