Handwork featured in 2014 Paint Chip Challenge

Handwork is a featured element in the
2014 Paint Chip Guild Challenge.

Although many of the participants in this year's Choo Choo Quilters Guild Challenge admitted to starting their quilt within the last month (or week!), the long-awaited Challenge quilts were finished (well, most of them, anyway), turned in, and revealed at the November guild meeting.

The requirements for this year's Paint Chip Challenge included a color and size requirement as well as the inclusion of one technique done by hand—reflecting on the year's theme of handwork. The response to the Challenge was extraordinary as well as the diversity of hand techniques that were featured: hand stitching, hand quilting, hand appliqué, embroidery, needle tatting, crochet, and beading. The names of the paint chip colors used for each entry's color scheme (and corresponding to the initials of the quiltmaker) were just as clever and captivating. Who makes up those paint color names, anyway??

Congratulations to all the Challenge participants and winners! Everyone enjoyed seeing the quilts and hearing about your inspiration, choice of colors and your processes. Additional kudos go to those first-time Challenge participants. We are proud of you for embracing a new experience and venturing down uncharted paths.

Enjoy these 2014 Choo Choo Challenge entries. The work this year is stunning!

By Dawn Palmer
Paint Chip Colors: Desert Fortress, Meadow Mist, Promise

Handwork technique: hand embroidery 

By Cristy Clark
Paint Chip Colors: Concert Hall, Spring Moss, Courtyard
First Place Winner (tie)

Handwork techniques: hand stitching, hand quilting,
hand embroidery on binding

By Veronica Hofman-Ortega
Paint Chip Colors: Volcanic Ash, Hang Ten, Oh So Red
First Place Winner (tie)

Handwork techniques: hand applique, needle tatting, crochet 

By Sherry Baldwin
Paint Chip Colors: Saffron Strands, Deep Black, Butter Rum
Second Place Winner

Handwork technique: hand embroidery 

By Martha Griffin
Paint Chip Colors: Montpelier Wedgwood, Delightful Moon, Guacamole

Handwork technique: hand beading 

By Delores Dady
Paint Chip Colors: Day at Jewelers, Regal Purple, Daisy

Handwork technique: hand beading 

By Ginny Minninger
Paint Chip Colors: Vanilla Custard, Juicy Cantaloupe,  Mysterious Ocean Fog

Handwork technique: hand embroidery 

By Vista Mahan
Paint Chip Colors: Violet, Sea breeze, Mexican Chili

Handwork technique: hand embroidery 

Thank you to the Chattanooga quilt shops for their support with our Guild Challenge: Pins and Needles Quilt Shop, Ready Set Sew, Spool. Please support your local quilt shops!

November Show and Tell

Becky introduced a new sewer, Audra Belle, who showed off an apron she made.

Audra Belle (left) shows her apron during Show and Tell.

Becky's disappearing 9-patch.

Joanna's rag quilt.

Plaids make a great rag quilt.