2020 Quilt Show Recap

The artistic talents on the Outer Banks are just as vast as its beaches. Not only is the Outer Banks home to many talented artists and photographers, but quilters as well. Visitors travel from all over each year to see the new creations on display at the Outer Banks Community Quilt Show. You don't have to be a seamstress or crafter to enjoy the exhibition. The quilts are their own works of art and the stories behind them are just as captivating.

This year's show provided the same level of quality and creativity we've come to expect. The Small Quilt Challenge was a house theme and featured so many interesting Interpretations of home; from quaint beach cottages to city landscapes. The young quilters section was a new and impressive addition to the show and the experienced quilters were thrilled to have students participate. The back corner featured a special section of wearable art that included clothing and accessories. Although all of the entries were phenomenal, there are a few pieces that were unanimously loved by guests. 

Winners of the 2020 Viewers Choice Awards

Quilt Name: Carolina Meadow
Artist: Cindy Mattingly
Size: 92 X 98 inches
Timeline: Began in 2012 and completed in 2019

Cindy Mattingly's creation featured English, paper-pieced hexagonal flowers. Guests were drawn to the vibrant colors and intricate pattern.

From the Artist

"I started this with scraps from two Kaffe Fassett quilts I made in 2012. I hand pieced the flowers using English paper piecing, then machine zig-zagged them together. It wasn't suppose to be this big, but I got carried away." - Cindy Mattingly

Quilt Name: More Folk Tales
Artist: Deborah Greener
Size: 38 X 44
Timeline: Made in 2019

Guests fell in love with the details in Deborah Greener's design. The embellishments and embroidery all came together to make a stunning wall hanging. 

About the Design

This wall hanging is based on a quilt designed by Sue Spargo portraying a variety of animals and images reminiscent of her native South Africa. Additional elements were added to the original design to modify and personalize it. The quilt was made with hand-appliqued wools, cottons and other fabrics on pieced wool backgrounds. Individual pieces were embellished using #8, #5, and #3 perle cottons and other specialty threads in a variety of surface embroidery stitches. After the hand applique and embellishment were completed, the wall hanging was machine quilted around the elements in a loose free motion design. 

Quilt Name: Sunset on the Bay
Artist: Alice Jaeger
Size: 36 X 31
Timeline: Made in 2019

From the Artist

"I definitely was challenged with designing this wall hanging. Inspired by a quilt I saw at a quilt festival, I utilized ombre fabric and replicated the design as a reflection on water. I live one block from Kitty Hawk Bay and through the years have witnessed amazing sunsets. Drawing the tree line and grasses (then duplicating) in a design that appears to be a guitar, appliqued on ombre fabric with free motion quilting to highlight the rays of the setting sun and ripples in the water. Quilting the grass was extremely time consuming but worth every stich. This will be a gift to my talented nephew, David Jaeger, who plays bass guitar in a praise band at his church." - Alice Jaeger

Raffle Quilt Winner

Becky Leousis was the winner of this year's raffle quilt. She was overjoyed to win it and quickly drove from Currituck, NC to pick it up. Becky is also a quilter and a member of the Elizabeth City Guild.