Quilts I liked

Without further ado and trying to overcome my hesitance to speak about something I do not know much about, here are some of my favourites from this year's quilt show.

1. a feast of colours, 2. The Moon in Autumn, detail, 3. hare in the moon, 4. Blessing of the Sun, 5. hopping into the picture, 6. Swaying, detail, 7. texture, 8. red moon, detail, 9. Red Moon, 10. The Sun, the Light for Lives, 11. Colorful, Colorful Days of Life, detail, 12. Shining, 13. texture, 14. log cabin, 15. pojagi, 16. handicraft

It was my fourth Tokyo Quilt Festival and quite different from what I experienced before. To start with, there were no misty eyes when I took a first glimpse into the hall. There always were before because the sight is really overwhelming, but not this time. So I went through the aisles. Looking at gorgeous, perfectly made quilts.   Quilts that looked like a lot of time and dedication, quilts that were stunningly simple, quilts that were amazingly complicated looking... And with almost each quilt I saw I could not help but thinking I had seen them all. They were all great but... That did not feel good.  So I went to the vendor's area to distract myself and start anew with the quilts after a short break.
When I felt like being refreshed I went back to the quilts and saw this one, The Moon in the Autumn by Suzuko Koseki.

 

Such simple shapes and lovely combinations of fabric, the large moon in the background which makes the quilt interesting but also very balanced and calm. Beautiful, beautiful quilting in different ways, one pattern just floating into another, the traditional motif of the harvest moon, the overall fresh and modern appearance... I love this quilt and thought I would very much like to call something like it my own. Finally, I was getting excited about the quilts again!
Maybe I was so overwhelmed by all those fabulous quilts in the beginning that is was just too much for me. Ms. Koseki's quilt made me open to really look at the quilts again, notice their lovelyness, their uniqueness, their beauty. From that point on I found lots of fantastic quilts and would have loved to return the following day to let everything sink in and be able to view the quilts calmly, more deeply. If you ever plan to come to the Tokyo International Great Quilt Show, try to squeeze in that second day at the show on which you are really ready to look.
I will.

A quilt I loved too was The Sun, the Light for Lives by Noriko Hayashi, who caught my attention last year, too, with a wonderful three dimensional white piece. All white as in a thousand snow men come together and hang out in the snow. My Dream of White it was called and so beautiful. I should dig out a photo of that quilt and show it to you.

And of course the very enchanting and playful Look! What Beautiful Moonlight by Junko Sawada, whom I had the luck to talk to for a few minutes. She was one of the four famous Japanese quilters who were featured this year. The moon quilt was fortunately part of the celestial exhibition, which was one of the main topics of the show, and could therefore be photographed. In the area in which the top quilters are showcasing their World of Fabrics photographing is not allowed. There are a few restrictions even on this show... Oh, but people are touching the quilts anyway. I am always stunned when I see it happen.

Isn't it just adorable how the rabbits are seeming to hurry into the picture? And isn't the quilting clever? Junko Sawada's quilts seem always to be in motion. Birds are flying, wind is blowing, rabbits hopping... I like that.

I loved seeing all the log cabin quilts, like the antique ones and those contemporary versions.  Very inspiring. I'd like to try a little log cabin quilt, sometime.

It was all very inspiring and motivating, which is why I really, really want to finish my first real quilt (the stars) during the first half of the year. A goal. I actually have set myself a goal. Publicly.

Till later!

PS: A knitting related note... the Misty  of my second Hourglass Sweater turned out to pill a bit. Not terribly, but worth mentioning.

Comments

[Kristin La Flamme]

I love the favorites you've chosen. The yellow moon on Suzuko Koseki's quilt really makes it. The three dimensional one is so pretty in it's simplicity and I LOVE everything about the rabbit quilt! I agree that it's so easy to be overwhelmed at that kind of a quilt show. The possibility to go back another day, or at least after a break is great. I spent two days at a french show last year and I enjoyed it so much more than previous years when I had to rush through everything in one day. Thanks for sharing.

[June]

I have to agree as I'd be terribly overwhelmed, too. I do like the choices you made as which quilts appealed to your heart and soul.

And I want you to know how very appreciative I am for sharing this quilt exhibit with us. It has been inspiring and a wonderful journey to discovery.

[June]

I have to agree as I'd be terribly overwhelmed, too. I do like the choices you made as which quilts appealed to your heart and soul.

And I want you to know how very appreciative I am for sharing this quilt exhibit with us. It has been inspiring and a wonderful journey to discovery.

[Steph]

I've been looking through a lot of (more traditional) quilt books lately and was really excited when you posted your photos from the quilt show. These amazing quilts just astound me and make me realize I need to reach much deeper into that murky pool of creativity. I've been accumulating some particular fabrics for over a year now and I think I'll start my first big quilt soon, hopefully to be finished this year. Thank you for sharing!

[teresa]

i love the second one pictured - I loved it when you first posted it on you blog and i still love it with the close ups today.

thanks for visiting with me at maggiegracecreates.

[dorkyquilts]

Quilt shows always make me feel overwhelmed. I've decided that it's because I like the process of MAKING quilts, not just looking at someone else's finished product. That's why I like the vendor part of the show the best!! TOOLS!!

[Tirlittan_knits]

Oh, I think I would have been overwhelmed too. I have looked at your pictures of the show several times and they really have inspired me. I got new quilting tools for Christmas and have just been waiting for that big idea. My favorite was no.11 Colorful days of life. So fresh!

[Tirlittan_knits]

I forgot to say, I have been reading some of your old posts and your stories and photos of Japan have really made me miss Japan! Especially Tokyo and Osaka, where I had the chance to live for a while. To leviate my longing, I am waiting for two big parcels from Japan next week: craft books and some kimono accessories...!

[Cami]

I also loved the Moon in Autumn. It was one of my favorites.

[kirsten]

love the abstract minimalist quilts you took some flickr pics of - divine. thank you for sharing it with us on the other side of the world. :)

[tiennie]

I'm always amazed by the creativity of people - especially the ones that have their projects make it into the shows!

[Kate]

They are some lovely quilts - the moon one is really sweet.

The diversity of quilts is also terrific - at all the quilt shows I have been to, they have been dominated by traditional quilts [not that they aren't superb - just that a little diversity is nice.]

[BrigetRose]

Those were really lovely quilts! I liked the Handicraft best!

Great blog here!