Pacific International Quilt Festival

Went to the PIQF in Santa Clara yesterday...what a wonderful place! So many gorgeous quilts. I took some photos and am posting a few I thought were especially interesting here. Sadly, there were so many people and it was so crowded at some places, I didn't get the names of all the quilters, but I'll post those I did get.

Here was a lovely pink and yellow sampler that I really enjoyed. The quilting was nice, too. Wish I'd gotten the quilter's name on this one. And here's one especially for Tonya. Dance-Life Love Laugh Dream, by D. Wright of Eagle, ID. It is so full of life and color, and as an ex-dancer, it somehow spoke to me.
I couldn't get a really good photo of the entire quilt on this next one, but the detail shot gives you an idea -- called The Purple Red and Orange One, by Carol Stapleton of San Mateo, CA. Interesting colors, lively feel, beautifully pieced and quilted.
This one, Garden Kaleidoscope, by Vicky Crow of Strafford MO, was striking for its vibrant colors, and also for the interesting offset arrangement. I've often seen this done with individual blocks, but not so usual for the entire quilt...I LIKE it...
And I saw this one, On The Road Again, by Linda Schmidt of Dublin CA just as I arrived at the show and was boggled. The detail on this is fantastic -- almost a photorealism piece. The block on the bottom right with the huge anchor in the foreground has the San Francisco skyline in the background. and each Porsche was so finely detailed, with a little metallic thread in the quilting...just stunning. For an applique-phobe like myself, it seems like an impossible feat to create something like this.
And that's all the pics Blogger will let me add for the moment...grrrrr.

One of the vendors was offering the Bernina 440QE (with the new Bernina Stitch Regulator) as a show special at $2500. Haven't priced these before, so I don't know if that's a good price or not. The lady told me their regular retail price was $3600! Calling all Aussie bloggers...how much does the 440QE cost in Australia, any idea? The lady I spoke to told me this machine will work just fine in Australia, as the voltage is adaptable to U.S. and other countries...I'd only need to order a new power cord. Hmmmm....I may have to go back to the show today and order one. It's a lot of money, though. Probably even MORE expensive if I wait and buy one in Oz --decisions, decisions.

Comments

Hedgehog said…
Beautiful pictures - thanks for sharing!! I love the pink and yellow. Not sure about the price, but it's true that the machine will work - they are all dual voltage. I didn't even buy a new cord, just use a small plug adapter. The Bernettas aren't due voltage, though. A friend found that out the hard way.
The quilts are outstanding! Hum buy a new machine? Go for it.
Sweet P said…
Those quilts are great. I really like the pink one, very bright, colorful and definitely eye-catching. Did you decide to buy the sewing machine?
Wow what really fun quilts! I can't wait to go to a show again, it seems like forever! But I"m going to one in November near Chicago, so we will see what it is like. It is the first year for this show in Chicago so I have no idea how many quilts there will be.
Tonya Ricucci said…
I am so into yellows and pinks these days (along with orange and red) so that top quilt is really drawing my eye. The difference is that this quilter did a marvelous job making this light and lively. I'm more likely to end up with it looking dark.
Anonymous said…
Thanks for sharing! (I love the pink & yellow one - I have a project or two in mind for that exact color scheme - so glad to see it works!)
kirsten said…
Wow! Love the pink/yellow sampler.
Seems like the Bernina is cheaper over here - the price at the moment ( quilt show price but the same price I paid back in April) is A$2695. I think the list price is just under $3000 but you can usually do a deal. So if you convert it is just over $2000 us. If you haven't bought one already then I would wait for Australia and you will have the 240V part right as well. Less excess baggage too lol.
Dianne said…
What great information, Bettsy, and just what I was interested in finding out...thank you so much for posting! I will certainly wait till I'm in Exeter and then try to get to a local Bernina reseller and try to make a deal. Looking at the dealer locater, it looks like my nearest dealer would be in Goulburn, about 40 minutes away...not too bad.

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