QuiltCon Raleigh, Part 5 - Small Quilts

I probably spent the most time looking at quilts in the Small Quilts category. By my manual count, 53 quilts were displayed in Small Quilts. I certainly can't share them all, but here are 19 of those that attracted my attention.

Vari Blue, Betsy Vinegrad @betsy.vinegrad, New Jersey

This was a challenge quilt using a color from the maker's first initial, and a block design from the maker's last name initial (Variable Star). It's domestic machine quilted. 

Below is the 1st place winning quilt in the Small Quilts category. 

Shake it Up, Tania Tanti @tania_tanti_artist, Australia

It's domestic machine quilted, embroidered and hand quilted. 

Another quilt by Tania Tanti is Wash Away the Blues

This quilt has heaps of hand stitching. 

Joyful Study: Energy, Sarah Campbell @stitchmodequilts, Texas

I like the quilt because of the colors, and the impressive precision sewing! 

Also by Sarah Campbell is Neon Quilts #2 (Strawberry) 

Sarah said she asked herself, "Can I made a quilt light up?" 

This quilt includes bias tape. Check out all the machine quilting that creates the glow. This quilt sold for $200. 

Mediterranean Moonlight, Patricia Heath @mysterypoppy, Colorado

Though I'm not a fan of brown, I appreciate this piece, especially all that yummy perle cotton quilting texture from stitching about ⅛" apart. 

Making Mayhem, Jo Wollschlaeger @jowoquilts, Oregon

This is one of those head-scratchers - How did she do this? 

Jo said this quilt was inspired by inset strip quilts by Hillary Goodwin (the 2026 QuiltCon keynote speaker). Are multiple layers of fabric under each strip? It's domestic machine quilted.

Cuesta Inlet Kayaks, Rene Tallman @uniquilter, California 

Such a colorful, simple design made with scraps hand appliquéd to a Kona Parchment background.

Domestic machine quilted.

Chameleon Radio Waves, Emily Kidney @tabbycatquilts, Oregon 

I love the narrow piecing! Emily learned curved foundation paper piecing from Steph Skardal in a QuiltCon workshop. 

Untitled, Liz Kuny, New Jersey

This design was inspired by an Art Deco plate seen in a museum.

The walking foot quilting creates movement. 

Car Wash, Elizabeth Ray @elizabethkray, Arkansas

I think is perfectly named. 

So Close, So Far, Juli Smith @zahada_mod, California

The title explains a friendship Juli has with a person who lives across the Atlantic. Domestic machine and hand quilted. 

Subtle but effective, this is Pink Square, Ellen Meeker @elmeekerquilts, Michigan

Ellen said she set a challenge for herself, to use thread for pattern, instead of piecing. Domestic machine and hand quilted.

The quilt below was a favorite, and made me wish I could vote for two quilts for People's Choice award. 

11.5% Emily, Emily Williams @emwilliamsfiber, Massachuesetts

Emily says, "Out of 52 Boston Modern Quilt Guild members, six are named Emily!"

Emily created the patchwork background with recycled denim from jeans, and hand appliquéd 52 circles (representing 52 guild members) made from discarded shirts. 

Hand quilting is with thread reclaimed from the denim jeans. I like the "EMILY EMILY EMILY" embroidered around the perimeter of the circle. 

Heart Matters, Sharon Hart @shrnhart, Arizona

"...our true heart is revealed in the many ways we reach out in the world - verbal, written, spiritual and artistic expression." Domestic machine quilted.

Lemon & Blueberry, Carl Brown @quiltcarl, California

"...inspired by the prolific work of Anni and Josef Albers, pioneers of twentieth-century modernism."

Improv piecing quilted on a longarm.

Amber, Dawn Polomski @dawnfp1248, Delaware

This was inspired by clothing worn by Namibians, after a trip to that country. 

Improv pieced and domestic machine quilted. 

Split Seasons, Margaret Fleisher @margaretfleisher, Pennsylvania

Improv pieced and domestic machine quilted.

Jazz Quilting, Hannah Parks @halfsquarehannah, Vermont

Improv pieced, hand appliquéd, and hand quilted.

Random quilts from other categories will be shared in QuiltCon Raleigh, Part 6. Linda