I had the great opportunity to attend AQS Phoenix last week and check out all of the awesome modern quilts. Click here for the list of all AQS winners.
Unraveling #2 by Judy Tescher, Pendleton, IN
3rd Place
It’s inspiring to get up close and personal with so many bold and graphic quilts, something that’s hard to do by just looking at pictures online, or in books and magazines.
Thoroughly Modern Millie by Karolyn Jensen, Tucson AZ
Honorable Mention
Throughout this post, I’m sharing modern quilts from the show that really spoke to me and engaged my attention.
Bookcases by Jane Bromberg, Kansas City, MO
Whether they were awarded ribbons or not, they are certainly winners in my eyes.
Cycles 2 by Leanne Chahley, Alberta, Canada
1st Place
I’m loving that fact that more and more people are taking the plunge and entering their modern quilts into shows because I think it’s having a huge impact on the quilting community.
Fissures by Debra Jeske, Lynnwood, WA
2nd Place
Modern quilters are proving to the world that functional, “made it myself” quilts can be just as beautiful as over-the-top bedazzled pieces.
Be Yourself – Everyone Else is Taken by Meg Cowey, Western Australia
As quilters embrace the organic beauty of crafting their own quilts rather than opting to pay for computerized perfection, I believe this movement will continue to explode.
Quilterly Realism by Amanda Ruden, Albuquerque, NM
I like to compare quilts show to fashion shows – you can see an amazing amount of diverse talent all in one spot.
Moons Over Bars by Susan Garrity, Wilson, WY
Modern Quilt Challenge
Depending on your own personal aesthetic, the quilts can be soul-inspiring and engaging, or they can be overwhelming and perhaps a little outrageous.
Quilts from the Modern Quilt Challenge Exhibit
Whatever the case or your opinion, large national shows certainly generate excitement for the craft and help shape the conversation of quilting.
Quilts from the Modern Quilt Challenge Exhibit
Over time, ongoing trends seen at quilt shows trickle down and permeate throughout the entire quilting community.
Quilts from the Modern Quilt Challenge Exhibit
I for one am glad for the proliferation of quilting events and shows – and I can’t wait for the next one!
Keep it Simple by Jodi Robinson, Enon Valley, PA
Best Modern Quilt
Christa Quilts 
I just came across this blog post, thank you for sharing!
thank-you from Canada, quite the insperation, might have to put some away and start new
I’m really thrilled you posted so many pictures. Fascinating.
Beautiful quilts, I am impressed with the workmanship in the modern quilts.
Christa, We were at the show on the same day; I recognized you but you were busy in conversation. I was amazed at all the wonderful modern quilts. Even ones considered traditional seemed to be moving toward modern. Your pictures turned out great.
How cool! It would have been fun to meet you in person 🙂
All of these quilts are prime examples of the idea that the quilting makes the quilt. Thank-you for posting these.
Thanks for sharing. It made me homesick, because I really miss my Sonoran Desert. I loved the Be Yourself quilt – the quilting is so unique.
My husband usually goes with me to quilt shows and he’s, very much, a traditional quilt fan but I’ve noticed in the last couple of shows that he is warming up to modern quilts (as am I). We both voted for “Moons Over Bars” in the Phoenix modern quilt challenge even though there were so many we really liked.
wow made a circle quilt didn’t know it was modern but now I can say I do modern quilts with my old
Thanks for enabling me to enjoy the show from home. Amanda Ruden is a dear friend of mine. I’ll be sure to let her know you’ve featured her.
wow – thanks. Lots of impressive work there.
Thanks for sharing these! The one b Amanda Ruden, Quilterly Realism, won best of show at the NM state fair last year, it is neat to see it somewhere else!
Oh I love the Bookcases one! And the Be Yourself! So pretty, thanks for sharing!
Moons over Bars and Keep It Simple are my favorites from the quilts you have in this post. I guess I am a little too geometrically oriented to be a real modern quilter, although 53 years with a design engineer does make you think in even balance terms. I do love bold colors and the obvious talent displayed by those with deeper insight than I have. I loved your Modern Chevrons and Pearl Bracelets.
“Be Yourself…….” and “Moons over Bars” are speaking to me……..they’re all fab, though!!! Thank you so much for sharing your experience!!!!!! I, too, am glad for the mod movement!!!!! Hugs…….
Thanks for taking us with you for this virtual tour, Christa!
Congrats! Beautiful quilt!
I totally misread that… I thought one of the winners was yours! That is what happens when you are trying to read a blog with a 7mo on your lap and a 3yo running around…
Beautiful quilts all around though, thank you for sharing!
Loved seeing your quilt show from afar. Thanks for posting about it.
All beautiful. HARD to pick a favorite. …Well said Christa. .You are so intuitive..
Thanks for sharing… so wonderful to see all the pictures!!
So glad you went and took your camera!
Love the photos……….some real beauties………
Thank you for sharing these absolutely fabulous quilts!!!
oh this is just delightful, Christa! Thanks so much for sharing so many of the modern quilts, and I appreciate your thoughtful narrative as well.
Thank you for sharing so much of the exhibit with us. I totally agree that we need to enter more and more modern quilts in these shows.