"Sweet Madame Blue" by Margaret Solomon Gunn won Best of Show at AQS QuiltWeek - Paducah 2023
Artist Statement: "I started this quilt early in 2020, before the pandemic broke. It is made from over a dozen shades of blues and aquas, coupled with a few stock shades of red, green and champagne. I bought the 8 tatted doilies from an online seller in Istanbul. I stumbled upon them when I was looking for small pieces of lace for a different quilt. I immediately bought them and the quilt's design took off from there. I chose geometric motifs and floral patterns commonly seen in Arabic architecture and Turkish pottery. With this design in mind, I felt forced to make the quilt using semi-traditional colors. Most who know me are aware that I don't tend to work much with blue, but this design kept me away from my more comfortable colors and always thinking on my toes. It is all turned-edge applique. In fact, the entire top is made by hand. I added a good bit of hand embroidery after the quilt was quilted. Go figure - there is always that feeling it is just not quite complete. I also added some crystals as well as beading on many of the flowers.
Though spelled differently, the quilt pays homage to a 1975 Styx song which I really like, and it seemed like a fitting name."
PIQF Sign Statement: "Original design was created around the lace doilies I ordered from Istanbul. The remaining design features many shades of my hand-dyed silks in floral and geometric patterns commonly seen in Turkish pottery."
Techniques: Machine Pieced, Hand Appliquéd, Longarm Machine Quilted
Original Design: Yes
(Detail Photos 5 and 6 by Margaret Solomon Gunn; Sign and Ribbon Photos by Margaret's friend, Lori Allison)
Maker: Margaret Solomon Gunn
Quilter: Margaret Solomon Gunn
Year Made: NA
Owned By: NA
Size: 62 x 78 inches
Shows & Museums: AQS QuiltWeek - Paducah 2023 ; Pacific International Quilt Festival 2022
Awards: Best of Show - AQS QuiltWeek Paducah 2023 ; Best of Show - 2022 Pacific International Quilt Festival
