Monday, September 27, 2021

New England Visit--Part 3A

Part 3A? What does that mean?!? Well, it means that my visit to The New England Quilt Museum cannot be summed up in one post, so there will be a Part 3B coming up--probably in October, because my next post will be my September Monthly Mini. I have a little surprise planned for that post, so that is why I will save the rest of my museum post for early October.

If you have been to The New England Quilt Museum in Lowell, Massachusetts, these are familiar sights to you. We parked on the back side and this sight let us know we were parked in the right place.

Since we arrived a few minutes before opening, we walked around to the other side of the building, past the front entrance, and waited in this pleasant little area for the minutes until opening to pass.

There were two featured exhibits and I think each one deserves their own post. I will begin with "Quilts Japan".

The quilts were incredible. I had such a hard time choosing which ones to share, but finally narrowed it down to my top 10 favorites. They are in no particular order. Blogger does not cooperate anymore on photo placement, so we will have to take what we get here. The documentation, and any close-ups I may have taken, will follow each quilt.





This one was so vibrant. It really took my breath away! I can't believe I didn't get any close-up shots.


When you look at the close-up of this below, the stitching doesn't seem complicated. But the way it was put together just radiates movement and flow.


I loved this--a traditional design (Pickle Dish) used in different ways. And I hope you caught the lovely appliqued butterflies flitting across the surface. Again, no close-ups. What was I thinking?

 

              A wonderful Baltimore Album in Japanese fabrics. Meticulous work!

               This has a very playful feel, and the name seems to back that up.


I've always loved a good Mariner's Compass, so this really caught my eye. Wish I had centered the photo better.




 

The last line of the description fits this quilt perfectly. Maybe that was why I was so drawn to it.


If you can't tell from the photo, the energy practically vibrated from this quilt. I almost expected to be able to hear it.

This show had so much variety, and was very beautifully displayed. I only had a little over an hour to see everything the museum had to offer. I solved that problem by taking a photo of everything that caught my eye, and also a photo of the documentation. And sometimes, when I thought of it, I took a close-up or two of a quilt. That way when I came home I could study the photos and read the documentation closely. 

I had been "warned" that The New England Quilt Museum wasn't large, but I have to say, it did NOT disappoint! The quilts were well hung and lighted. The documentation was easy to read. The flow through the museum was well-planned, and the Museum Store was very tastefully stocked. I couldn't have been more pleased. The exhibit I've shared here is no longer available there, but the current exhibit is of "Quarantine Quilts." Yes, it includes Wendy Reed's wonderful "Community Supper." Wish I could go back and see that hanging in the museum! And the incredible quilts of Kathy Cray are still there. I'll share those with you in part 3B. :)

Stay tuned for the next post on Thursday (hopefully), where I will have my Monthly Mini, and also invite you to participate in a challenge with me.

Until next time, be kind, gentle and understanding, in a world where those qualities are too often forgotten.

Janet O.


p.s. You should be able to click on any photo to get a closer look!



28 comments:

  1. oooh such lovely quilts...blue impulse is definitely wow over the top....you did the museum proud janet..i was a member there while i lived in new england...and was there in its embryonic stage...glad to see it has evolved into such a lovely venue...

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  2. What a wonderful trip!! Your photos are gorgeous; those quilts amazing!

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  3. Thanks for sharing. What a wonderful exhibit of exquisite craftmanship!

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  4. I'm so glad you went to NEQM to share that breathtaking exhibition of Japan Quilts with us! I don't know how you could possibly choose a favorite. The hand quilting in that Log Cabin quilt looks like 1/2" squares throughout. I wonder how long that took :) Thanks for your great photos, Janet!

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  5. I have long admired the precision and artistry of Japanese quilts...what a treat to get to see some! Love it...so glad you had fun!!!

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  6. WOW! Lovely quilts and that red and white one is my fave! I've never been to that museum. Oh my! I think I need to go to Massachusetts! Thanks for sharing these wonderful quilts!

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  7. Janet precioso edredones. Gracias por compartir
    Saludos

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  8. Remarkable! Cyndi and I went to see the Japanese quilts a few years ago and they are beyond sensational. Your photos are sensational! I can't wait to see your mini and hear about the new challenge!!

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  9. Talk about sensory overload, I could have spent a half day easily studying these exquisite quilts! Can't imagine how you got through the museum in the hour you had. Looking forward to your latest mini and the next NEQM posts.

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  10. Beautiful quilts, Japanese Quilts always are very detailed. Love the Floating in Time. Peaceful, but comtemporary, not my normal to be attracted to. Glad you could go! Can't wait for the next part.

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  11. I was lucky enough to see this fabulous exhibit in person, but that was 3 months ago so I really enjoyed seeing your photos . Thanks for sharing!!

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  12. What fabulous quilts, thank you for sharing. The Energy quilt makes me think of an under water anenome and Floating in time is stunning, they are all stunning!

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  13. Thank YOU for the incredible quilt show!! Eager for 3-b!!!

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  14. This takes me right back! I loved seeing the photos of the exterior of the museum. I used to live 20 minutes away from it! The Japanese quilts are always just beyond amazing! Interesting that there's one French quilter in the mix. I love her quilt. I'm so curious about your challenge.... that will be fun to hear about!

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  15. Merci pour ton reportage qui m'a permis de voir de magnifiques réalisations. Ce sont des courtepointes qui ont demandé de nombreuses heures de travail et énormément de patience.

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  16. Four Elements and Floating in Time... Wow!! Thanks for sharing those with the others in your Top Ten list, Janet.

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  17. thanks for sharing the beautiful quilts that you shared with us.......how lucky to get to see them in real life........

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  18. Absolutely Amazing. I'm so glad you were able to see these incredible quilts in person.

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  19. What a fun place to visit! And I love that beautiful sunset picture in your header.

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  20. Oh my Janet, what I wouldn't give to visit a place like that and take in all that quilty goodness. I will return to this post again as I find it inspirational. Thanks so much for sharing.

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  21. I always find the Japanese quilts to be so inspiring and filled with such talents. Thanks for sharing.
    I thoroughly enjoyed the museum when we went in May.
    Wish I could get back now!

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  22. Gosh Janet - my mouth is hanging open !!! All that stunning work & tiny minute details in those quilts ... just amazing! Words fail me but I am so pleased you shared some of this with us - thank You !

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  23. WOW (x10!)...amazing...thanks for the virtual show...

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  24. Oh lucky you! I so wanted to get up there to see that exhibit but I didn't make it.
    Thank you for sharing these beautiful quilts. I'll be spending some time studying them.
    Incredible quilts and so much diversity. The Album quilt is a stunner

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  25. A beautiful exhibition. Japanese quilters seem to do such intricate work. They are evidently very patient.

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  26. And to think, this is just a taste of what was in the whole show! All of them are so beautiful. The Pickle Dish one reminds me of the old AQS book series "New Quilts From An Old Favorite".

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  27. Wow, wow, wow! This is a museum I would enjoy visiting. I'm blown out of the water by the select quilts you shared! Fabulous! :)

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