One of the highlights of every Metro Quilt Expo is our display of quilts completed for the guild’s yearly challenge. In 2022, the challenge was UpCycle!
To qualify the quilts had to meet these criteria:
- Entire top, backing, and binding must be recycled fabrics
(Batting and thread may be new) - Use at least one striped fabric
- Use at least one green fabric, thread, or embellishment
- Design must include at least one element depicting something from nature
- Minimum size 48″ perimeter and maximum size 120″ perimeter
- Must be three layers, quilted not tied
Artist: Carmen Nordback
Quilted By: Self
Pattern Source: Original Design
“This 2022 Guild challenge was a great excuse to recycle two vests I made back in the 1990’s. I deconstructed the vests, cut out the melon shapes,”
Artist: Elaine Keller
Quilted By: Self
Pattern Source: Original Design
“Nature’s creatures are blue. Humans are destroying their homes, their food sources, the earth. We are polluting the water and changing the climate. Why should we care? We are nature’s creatures, too. What happens to them; happens to us.”
Artist: Bonnie L. Anderson
Quilted By: Self
Pattern Source: Original Design
“My inspiration for this original design were the robins singing in my backyard and Mandy Patullo’s work. My paternal grandmother, Dessa Larrison hand quilted an Irish Chain quilt for my parents wedding in 1936. It is well worn and ragged in places. I used a piece of the quilt for the background. The applique pieces are from used clothing and discarded curtain samples. I used hand embroidery to enhance the raw edge applique and big stitch quilted it by hand.”
Artist: Lona Daley Getz
Quilted By: Self
Pattern Source: Wool Applique Heirlooms book by Mary A Blythe
“This table runner was made from various wool clothing and scarves that I had worn or purchased at thrift stores over the years. It was a perfect winter project to work on in the evening and as my mom always said, “Busy hands, happy heart!”
Artist: Deb Ormseth
Quilted By: Self
Pattern Source: Original Design
“I made a denim quilt many years ago and still have boxes of used jeans donated by friends and family. The Upcycle Challenge was a good time to pull the boxes out of storage. The embroidery is from the bottom of a young girl’s bell-bottoms. The back is from a worn jumper. Some of the shapes were cut with Accuquilt dies.”
