"Bloom, Becoming, Intrepid, Flourish" by Heidi Parkes won Second Place - Handwork at QuiltCon 2026.
Artist Statement: "An antique handkerchief purchased in Tokyo began disintegrating with my first few stitches. I might've thrown it away, but instead, I saw an opportunity to offer care, compassion, and support - just as I'd seen in the tree crutches ubiquitous throughout Japan. This was an opportunity to "verb" an experience in cloth, and add material meaning with an "artifact." The hours of sewing were easy to source - I stitched the handkerchief in place while on our tour bus."
Techniques Used: Hand Pieced, Improvisational Piecing, Hand Appliqué, Hand Embroidered, Hand Quilted
Materials Used: A handkerchief from Oedo Market, sashiko & Chiku-chiku samplers, a mended cardigan, mixed textiles, and thread
Design Credit: Original Design
(Main Quilt Photo from themodernquiltguild.com; Artist with Quilt Photo, Detail Photo 1, and Ribbon/Sign Photo from heidi.parkes Instagram Page; All Other Photos from heidiparkes.com)
Maker: Heidi Parkes
Quilter: Heidi Parkes
Year Made: NA
Owned By: NA
Size: 70 x 70 inches
Shows & Museums: QuiltCon 2026
Awards: Second Place - Handwork (Sponsored by DuckaDilly) at QuiltCon 2026
