A scrappy good time at Maine Quilts
Last week I traveled northeast for Maine Quilts and it did not disappoint.
Mainers remind me of Nebraskans: friendly, down-to-earth, truly good-hearted people. I loved them all.
Today I want to share my favorite quilts from the show, which had both judged and non-judged categories. One quilt that captured my attention was “Magic Pocean’s Salty Dogs.”
The collection of sea-themed fabrics boggled my mind. Ships and boats of all kinds, sea creatures, sailors and sweethearts, waves and shells, pirates and treasure, you name it, if it’s related to the ocean in any way, this quilt had it.
The maker was Jennifer Smith, and I must tell you that Jennifer passed away about a year ago. According to the info placard, her friends are “lovingly finishing her work for her family and husband Pete.” This piece was quilted by Meliss Swanson and it’s based on a sampler design called Kinship by Angie Wilson of Gnome Angel. The idea of fitting and fussy cutting so many fabrics into an existing design is a tall order.
It was hard to miss this mermaid and her “Lost at Sea” caption.
I like the light blue sashing because it carries out the water theme but doesn’t detract from the blocks.
There was an abundance of good-looking women on the quilt.
Plenty of crabs and lobsters, too.
The whole effect was whimsical and fun and I loved it. Through a bit of serendipity, I happened to meet Jennifer’s husband Pete, who was at the show specifically to see this quilt. I wonder how it felt for him to see the quilt. I can only imagine.
Another favorite was this Bitcoin by Sue Rapalus, a design by Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville fame. There are 3330 rectangles in the quilt. It is spectacular. Here’s a link to Bonnie’s pattern.
This is one of those magical designs where alllll the fabrics can be used together because they’re quite small and everything just works. A little like my Framework quilt:
Find instructions for the Baby Windmill blocks and get started!
Remember to think about value as you build. Here’s a post to help you: The Value of Value
And finally I want to share the Best of Show quilt. It was unbelievably detailed and gorgeous.
Best of Show at Maine Quilts 2025.
To Philly with Priscilla was made by Barbara Korengold. It’s one of those pieces that could hold your attention for hours, as there is a lot to discover.
Ruching is an old-time technique where you gather up a strip of fabric and applique this “ruffle” to the quilt. I think it’s really beautiful and I wish it was used more often in modern quilts. (Hmm.)
This piece was hand quilted with tiny stitches and dark thread in a clamshell design. What a labor of love.
Broderie perse is another old technique that originally referred to Persian embroidery. It uses printed motifs for applique as seen above and below.
The maker also embroidered many details by hand on top of the broderie perse.
The entry card said this piece was was inspired by a quilt in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this small taste of what Maine Quilts had to offer. Until next time, quilt on.
Tags: hand quilting, maine quilts, quilt show, ruching, sampler quilt, scrap quilts
Sue Crane
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I was at Maine Quilts too. Enjoyed seeing your quilts. Friends and I usually go every year from Massachusetts…a four hour trip. (Rhododendron Needlers Quilt Guild member, Walpole, MA).
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Meliss Swanson
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Hello Diane, it was such a pleasure to meet you and a big thank you for sharing some love for my dear friend Jennifer’s Salty Dogs quilt. I’m glad you were able to meet her husband Pete as well. I really enjoyed being your teacher assistant during your strange bedfellows class though was a bit sad I wasn’t able to tag along for the class “field trip” of your exhibit. Fondly, I hope our paths cross again in the future.
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Jan Fitch
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Thanks for sharing these pictures
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Lil Koster
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I saw Barbara Korengold’s quilt at the 2022 Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza, where it was awarded 1st Place -Traditional. Yes, it is a most exceptional piece! And I think it might have been Best in Show at that show, had it not been for Cheryl See’s Selvages à la Rococo, which was Best in Show there. That one is a must-see quilt, with stunning embroidery and embellishments, hand quilting, and, on the back, many phrases such as “Use it up!” “Waste not, want not” and “One man’s trash is another man”s treasure” inked between the quilting lines!
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Jan Wirsing
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The Maine quilt show you provided was amazing! Beautiful quilting on eye-catching blocks. Thanks for sharing!
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