Monday, April 4, 2022

Spectacular Day at NEQM

 

I have been wanting to get down to see Barb Vedder’s (Fun with Barb) quilts at the New England Museum since it opened in January. Finally, I was able to free up a day and it just happened to be the same day that the American Quilt Study Group was holding its regional quilt study day. Win – win!

 I knew Barb’s quilts were spectacular. I have seen many of them in person, but to see so many hung so beautifully was truly amazing. I photographed every one of them but I am only going to give you a taste because her exhibition doesn’t end until Saturday and I hope to entice those of you in New England to head down now!

 We took our photo in front of my favorite Barb quilt (although it is hard to choose a favorite!), “My Mother’s Garden”. I have loved it since the first time I saw it and I didn’t even know Barb then. 


 I wanted to focus on her Alice Payne quilt to showcase her talent in reproducing an antique quilt, but in the process making it truly her own. This is the gorgeous original antique made by Alice Payne in the mid 19th century. 


 And, this is Barb’s interpretation.


Some blocks she made close to the original, and in some, she used Alice’s inspiration and added her own fun little elements to make them truly unique. I was so happy to finally see this quilt in person. 

Alice's eagle
 
Barb's eagle

Alice's block 

Barb's block - bullseye or solar system? You decide. 
 
Alice's block
 

Barb's block - her creativity really shows in this one!!

This quilt is also an inspiration to me. I was with her in Vermont when Pepper Cory showed us this quilt. Sorry, I don’t have a photo of the original, but believe me she took the inspiration and then made hers sing with excitement. I love it. 

 I’m not going to show any more of Barb’s quilts. I will let her share the whole thing when the exhibition ends next week.

 As for the quilt study. There were 21 of us and we all brought the earliest quilt in our collection. I can’t share photos of these quilts because people asked that their photos not be published. The one I brought was made around 1840 but of course I was so excited to see all the other quilts, I forgot to take a good photo while it was all laid out. I will show it another time.

I can show you this remarkable bed hanging that belongs to the museum. Marcus Fabrics made reproductions of many of these prints years ago as part of one of JudieRothermel’s collections. Aren’t these amazing? 





 I was so thankful to be able to ride down with my friend Laurie whom I hadn’t seen in ages so it made the whole day truly complete!

 Hope you all had a lovely weekend as well!

12 comments:

  1. What a delight to see Barb's quilt, I just know it!! That is a lovely antique quilt...all the points are so perfect, and the fabrics...wow!

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  2. Wonderful! I can't wait to visit the museum! Looking forward to finally meeting you in person as well!

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  3. I'm so happy to see this post. Good for you! Looks like it was a super day!

    Rondi
    rondiquilts@yahoo.com

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  4. What a wonderful trip, Wendy!! Thanks for sharing those photos with us. SEW glad you got there during Barb's visit!

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  5. Looks like such a wonderful day with great quilts and great people!

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  6. What a wonderful day! Anytime you see quilts is great, but seeing a friends special exhibit is even better. I recognized a couple of the repro fabrics designed after the original antique quilt.

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  7. I love seeing interpretations of antique quilts and Barb does such a great job! What a thrill to see this exhibition.:)

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  8. i love barb's quilts...thanks for detailing that beautiful applique...and with the stack of solids just received, might reproduce a house quilt too...museum is wonderful isn't it?

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  9. Oh, what a wonderful day at the museum! I wish I could see Barb's quilts again in person--she is an amazing and extremely talented quilter! I have some of those wonderful repro fabrics. Thanks for sharing the original :)

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  10. Sew exciting for you to get to see these quilts in person. Those delicious fabrics in the triangles have me wishing I had some.

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  11. How did I miss this post, Wendy?? Such a marvelous day for you--and Barb! The favorite quilt you two used for your selfie background has to be my favorite of Barb's as well.
    Thank you for the block-by-block comparisons. That was fun to see. And I have always adored her house quilt. Inspired by Pepper Cory you say? I always think of her in conjunction with Drunkard's Path style quilts (because I have her book and rulers for them). :)
    I recognize some of those fabrics from Judie Rothermel prints. In f act, her "Return to Elegance" line has that center print in the second-to-last photo in some lovely color ways. I just bought them.
    From Lori's comment, it appears you will be meeting up with her soon. That will be fun. Oh, how I wish I was there!!

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  12. I'm so glad we got to meet up at the study day!
    I loved seeing the comparison photos you posted from the Alice Payne Quilt.
    The study group was interesting with so many good quilts to see. It was amazing to see those bed pieces with so many of our favorite repro quilts.

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