Last Friday four friends and I spent the entire day at the 14th Annual Northwest Quilting Expo. It’s a three-day event, and we could easily have gone back and spent another full day. What a great show! More than 600 quilts were on display, along with a half dozen special exhibits and, of course, an enticing vendor mall.
One of the eagerly anticipated displays was the Portland Bridges NOW exhibit sponsored by the WestSide Modern Club. The club was started in 2012 by Geri Grasvik, owner of the Pine Needle Quilt Shop in Lake Oswego. At a meeting of WestSide Modern last year, Geri issued a challenge for quilters to create modern quilts inspired by the 12 bridges of Portland. The quilts had to include one or more fabrics from the Waterfront Park line designed for Michael Miller Fabrics by Portland’s own Violet Craft.
By the time the deadline arrived, 42 quilts had been submitted. Some of the makers are friends and guild mates. Others I know of by reputation. I am completely in awe of their imagination, creativity, and talent.
Here, in no particular order, are a few of the quilts on display:
The label on the back of the quilt is part of Linda’s bridge story:
What’s more, Linda made a second version of her quilt — in stained glass:
Here are her two creations, side by side:
All in all, a terrific show. And guess what? The quilts will be seen by an even bigger audience! The exhibit will be on display in December at Portland International Airport.
Wow! Those quilts are amazing. Such talent and imagination. I wish I could see them in person, but, while I know I won’t be coming to Portland soon, I’m glad that many, many people will be able to see them at the airport. What a great idea! Bring the art to the places people go. Thanks so much for posting the photos on your blog.
Amazing quilts, thank you for sharing Dawn.
I’m working on Four Patch Wonder with a Twist. I’ll show it to you when it’s finished.
Can’t wait to see it, Merethe!
Our daughters were born and raised in Portland. The Hawthorne Bridge with its grated surface was the “tickle bottom bridge”. And, anyone who ever heard that name still considers it to be the real one.
My siblings and I called it “the airplane bridge,” Leslie. Our family moved to Portland when I was seven. Sitting in the back seat of our Ford Fairlane as it crossed the bridge, we always heard airplanes flying overhead. Of course, it was the noise made by the tires on steel grating.
I remember “the airplane bridge” too Dawn, but I think the “tickle bottom bridge” is so much cuter!
What a fantastic exhibit! Very inspirational – thanks for sharing Dawn!
I was lucky to see these quilts in person at the show on Saturday. I think they will be even more stunning when grouped together at the airport, which I hope to go see as well.
Thanks Dawn for putting my quilts (and my special label) on your blog!
What a fantastic exhibit! Very inspirational – thanks for sharing, Dawn!