"A Calm Day At Sea" by Linda Neal received the Rowenta Viewers' Choice Award - Large Quilt award and Second Place - Wall Quilts - Movable Machine Quilted at AQS QuiltWeek Paducah 2026.
American Quilter Artist Statement: "I have made several Baltimore Album-style quilts. I really liked the Octopuses Garden pattern but decided to change the position of the elements for my quilt. The center block is in a different location. I rounded the edges of eleven blocks, and the pelican block is on the pier above the water. For fun, I added the humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa fish (the state fish of Hawaii) in honor of my Hawaiian friend, Sharon. The original borders are now inside the quilt. I added a scalloped-edge border to represent the peaks and waves of the ocean."
Road to California 2026 Artist Statement: "The original pattern is a Baltimore Album-style quilt. I deconstructed the pattern, placing the center block in the lower right-hand corner. Eleven blocks were constructed round. The border elements were placed between the round blocks. the 12th block is the pelican. I added a triggerfish - the state fist of Hawaii - and several schools of black neon fish. The edge treatment is original. It consists of peaks and waves. It was lots of fun to create."
Initial Artist Statement: "This is a deconstructed Baltimore album quilt from P3Designs. The center block is on the bottom right. 11 Blocks were made round. The borders are placed on the background surrounding the blocks. Block #12 is the pelican on the pier."
Quilting Method: Movable Machine
Quilting Technique: Appliqué (Hand), Binding (Custom Edge of Peaks & Waves), Embroidery (Hand), Fabric Dyeing, Quilting (Free-Motion)
Design Source: Octopuses Garden pattern by Pearl P. Pereira, P3 Designs, with Maker's Original Set
Maker: Linda Neal
Quilter: Jackie Brown
Year Made: 2025
Size: 74" x 83"
Shows & Museums: AQS QuiltWeek - Paducah 2026; Road to California 2026
Awards: Rowenta Viewers' Choice Award - Large Quilt at AQS QuiltWeek - Paducah 2026; Second Place - Wall Quilts - Movable Machine Quilted (Sponsored by Juki America, Inc.) at AQS QuiltWeek - Paducah 2026; First Place - Appliqué at Road to California 2026
