Road to California has a long history of celebrating quilts and veterans.

Road 2014: A Special Exhibit and Presentation

Led by Island Batik, Quilted in Honor was a fund-raising initiative for Operation Homefront, one of the top military fundraising organizations. A special exhibit they sponsored recognized quilts and veterans with a collection from top industry celebrities and quilters. They were asked to incorporate specially designed fabrics created by Island Batik for this initiative in their quilts. The results were truly patriotic!!! After the show, the quilts were donated to support military families and returning veterans whose lives were forever changed because of their service to our country.

Also, at the 2014 Show, Road to California, Island Batik, and Quilted in Honor recognized quilts and veterans when they presented to veteran, Ron Baker, a special quilt to thank him for his patriotic service. Mr. Baker was a former combat photographer who spent 12 years in the military (from 1964 until 1976), serving in Germany, Vietnam, Japan, and California. In 2014, Mr. Baker also worked as an advocate for other veterans.

Road 2016: Southern California Quilts of Valor

The Long Beach Chapter of Quilts of Valor recognized quilts and veterans by collecting donations during the 2016 show ranging from quilt tops to selling raffle tickets for their opportunity quilt. The drawing for their opportunity quilt is held annually on Veterans Day at the Long Beach VA Hospital.

During the years, Long Beach Quilts of Valor has gone to various veteran events around Southern California, telling their story and presenting quilts. In 2015, they gave away 417 quilts to service members and veterans. At the time of Road 2016, they had already given away 134 quilts with 78 more being donated January 26th to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder sufferers affiliated with the West Los Angeles Veteran Hospital.

An interesting fact is that not all veteran recipients request a patriotic themed quilt because it can be a painful reminder of what they went through, especially with POW’s. For those instances, Quilts of Valor volunteers have made quilts in a range of colors and themes such as animals or sports. “You never know what a veteran will request. Whatever type of quilt we make, it always finds its rightful owner,” remarked Chapter leader, Barbara Winkler.

Veterans at Road 2020

Frances attended Road 2020 with his wife, Betty. Both are long time quilters who had only missed one Road to California Show since it moved to the Ontario Convention Center. Frances served as an Electronic Technician in the Navy during the Vietnam War. His ship, the USS Forrestal, was the first of the “super carriers.” While Betty has been quilting for over 20 years, Frances got interested in quilting when attending Road and saw a demonstration on how to use circles in quilts. That was 10 years ago.

David and Elaine are residents of Boise, Idaho. Road 2020 was their second time at the Show. They love the great weather in California in January. David liked seeing all the quilts on display. He too served in the Navy, as a medical captain during the Korean War. His responsibility was to save Marines from their battle wounds.  

It is a privilege for Road to California to honor both quilts and veterans during our shows.

Each year, Road to California offers $5.00 Lectures: one-hour classes presented by vendors featuring their popular quilting techniques, tools, and trade secrets.

At Road 2020, Eric Dressler of Sulky of America, engaged students with thread education tips using Sulky’s needles and threads.

Who is Sulky of America?

Sulky of America sells over 4,000 products that include their popular thread lines and stabilizers. The company was founded by Joyce and Fred Drexler almost 30 years ago. A priority for Sulky of America is thread education. Remarked Fred Drexler, “Educating consumers has always been a top priority and our extremely strong focus on education through the years has caused Sulky to become the most recognized and asked-for name in decorative threads.”

Committed to quality, Sulky of America only uses raw rayon fibers made by ENKA in Obernburg, Germany. They have been tested and proven to be the very highest quality raw goods produced anywhere in the world.

Sulky also has a strong presence with community involvement. Fred has had a 44-year involvement with Rotary International, being involved in hundreds of local community projects. Following Hurricane Andrew in 1992, Sulky invited sewers all over America to “Share their Stash” with Hurricane Andrew victims. Thousands of people ultimately did, which netted two full semi-trailer loads of sewing machines, fabric, patterns and every other imaginable sewing tool and supplies. Their caring ways continue to support community outreach.

Newest Products

Sulky of America introduced two new products at Road 2020:

Filaine, a 12-wt. acrylic thread that comes in 129 colors. Fibers can be brushed out to create a fuzzy look in projects

Sulky recently became a distributor of Organ Needles, a company that was founded 100 years ago in Tokyo, Japan. All Japanese-made sewing machines (like Janome, Juki, Brother and Babylock) are “born” with Organ Needles.

Sulky of America at Road 2020

Sulky’s thread education $5.00 Lecture was given on Friday afternoon by Eric Drexler. Eric has spent 35 years in the sewing industry. The last 13 years he has been working with Sulky as an educator. Besides being a teacher, Eric is also passionate about free motion artistry.

Eric shared that quilters should not be afraid to “mix up their threads in their projects.” The ideal thread weight which Eric says is “good for everything” is 30 weight – a medium weight thread. He also added that whenever you change the thread in a project, you should also change the needle.

During the thread education session, Eric emphasized the following thread rules for quilters:   

1. A spool of thread should be able to turn freely in a machine. This keeps the thread from curling.
2. Loosen the tension two numbers before threading your machine.
3. Use a 90-14 topstitch needle. Should your thread “kink,” it will still be able to pass through the larger eye.
4. Which color thread to use? Have it match the back of your quilt.
5. Thread weight does not have to be the same on top as in the bobbin. Just be sure to adjust the tension.

Thank you Road 2020 Sponsor, Sulky Thread of America, for sharing your thread education.

Georgia Spalding Pierce received $1,500 from Sponsor, Fiberworks, Inc., for Balam (Jaguar)

Meet Georgia Spalding Pierce

Georgia was familiar with quilts before she started making them herself. She grew up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania where quilting and the Amish community is synonymous. Georgia started quilting 1987.  Her first quilts were functional quilts for beds, both pieced and appliqued.

Georgia entered a few quilts in her local guild shows starting in 2005.  About this time, she attended Quilt Odyssey in Hershey, Pennsylvania. She wondered if she could make a quilt that would be accepted into that show.  Her first quilt she entered had a cultural theme, “Baltimore Goes to Japan.” Georgia commented, “Amazingly it was juried into the show and then much to my surprise; it received a Judge’s Choice award.”  Since that time, Georgia has made four quilts exclusively for shows and has “been blessed to win a number of awards. I am now hooked on making show quilts for the challenge they present as well as the feedback that I receive that helps me to become a better quilter.”

Making Balam

This Best Applique quilt is the fourth in a series of quilts based upon the art of various cultures. The first was based on Japanese family crests. The second, on the art of the First Nation People of the Pacific Northwest. And the third quilt was based on Ancient Egyptian art. Balam is based on Mayan art.

Georgia shares that she always researches the art of the culture she chooses before she begins.  For this award-winning Best Applique quilt, Georgia found a book called, “Blood of the Gods,” published in support of an exhibit of Mayan art in Texas.  She became acquainted with the drawings of Linda Schele, an artist and archaeologist, and was fortunate enough to receive permission to base the central portion of this quilt on one of her drawings. 

Georgia surrounded the central panel with Mayan hieroglyphs. The color pallet used on this Best Applique winning design is the same one found on existing Mayan wall paintings.

Because Georgia is also a full-time nurse, work on Balam took 2 years to complete as she had to deal with long interruptions during the quilting.

Winning Best Applique at Road to California 2020

Georgia has had some success at Road to California in the past, but not with the larger awards. She learned about her award for Balam by checking the Road 2020 judging results on the Internet at home. Georgia said she “was quite surprised to have received the Best Applique award.”

With her prize money, Georgia bought herself some more quilting supplies: fabric and embellishments for her next project.  In addition, some of her prize money will fund the future travels of Balam to other shows.  For Georgia, a successful year is one where any prize money covers the cost of shipping to shows.  Georgia shared that “The money is lovely, but the recognition and the judges’ feedback is equally valuable as I hope someday when I retire from nursing to travel to quilt shows as a teacher, not just a contestant and viewer.”

What is instore for Georgia’s quilting future?   She said that she is ready to leave the world of culturally themed quilts. She is planning to combine applique and crazy quilting together for her next project.  So far, work on her new quilt is proving to be “a very steep learning curve” as she incorporates the crazy quilting into a large quilt.  Georgia added, “It has also proven to be costly, since I discovered Etsy and all of those wonderful embellishments that are available out there in the world.

Congratulations Georgia Spalding Pierce on winning Best Applique.

Road to California is a great place for families to meet up. Not just for moms, grandmas, daughters, and aunts. At Road 2020, we also saw lots of dads, grandpas, sons, and uncles who were quilting fans too!!

Hamilton, Missouri Visitor

Craig and Pat have been to Road to California six times together. From Irvine, California, both are quilting fans of the artistry element of quilting. Craig has accompanied Pat to Hamilton, Missouri – home of Jenny Doan and the Missouri Star Quilt Company. Pat makes a lot of Jenny’s patterns and Craig always enjoys seeing the finished quilts. “They are fun to look at,’ remarked Craig. Pat shared that Craig is her “design and color consultant.” She commented that “he is really good at it!”

Multi-talented Artist

During the Show, Jason sat in the main hallway of the Ontario Convention Center, helping his wife, Sue, check in volunteers. Jason shared that he is an artist, tattooist, painter, quilter and longarm quilter. Sue said that she introduced Jason to quilting three years ago and two years ago, encouraged him to start longarm quilting, where he became her “personal longarm quilter.” Soon after, he started a longarm quilting business and has quilted over 300 quilts for clients. These quilting fans belong to the Inland Empire Quilters Guild. Each year for their Quilt Show, Jason contributes opportunity baskets that include hand painted Featherweight machines that Jason makes especially for the show.  

Understanding the Meaning of Quilts

Arcadia, California residents, Luke and Robin, are originally from China and came to the United States in 2002. Robin has been sewing for 8 years and just recently started quilting. This was their second time at Road. The first time they came, they only stayed 30 minutes and quickly found out, that was not enough time. These quilting fans wanted to understand better the meaning behind quilts and quilting by attending Road. Luke added, “I like visiting different artwork and (Road) was interesting.” He especially liked the Special Exhibits, seeing the “ideas from many creative minds.”

Road to California Owner

Matt Reese grew up around quilts and Road to California. From a young age, Matt, his sister, and cousins, helped their Grandmother, Carolyn Reese, put on the show. He spent several years moving equipment around when the vendors moved in and out on the vendor floor. Later, he and a buddy were asked to stay for the entire show, doing “gopher duties,” which gave him a great perspective of all that goes on at Road to California. Matt’s role changed greatly when he became the Manager of Road. In this capacity, he oversaw acquiring teachers and setting up the classrooms. Then, in 2016, when his grandmother retired, Matt became owner of Road to California. While Matt has never finished a quilt, he is one of the HUGE quilting fans. He owns several quilts (his favorites include ones made by the Egyptian Quilters), visits quilt guilds, and enjoys taking in all the Special Exhibits at the show. He especially appreciates the opportunity of choosing the Director’s Choice winning quilt.

At Road 2020, Matt and his wife, Jennifer, had one son, Braden. This Spring, in the middle of Coronavirus, they welcomed twin sons, Owen and Oliver. We are confident that these three sons will be quilting fans too!!!

Road to California was thrilled for the return of Oliso to the show. It had been several years since the company had last visited as a vendor and $5.00 Lecture participant. For Road’s 25^th Anniversary Show, Oliso returned as a vendor and a Sponsor for the event.

Who is Oliso

A San-Francisco based team of inventors, engineers, and researchers, Oliso listens to their customers to design products that simplify everyday life. The goal of Oliso is to “marry aesthetics and function to create ergonomically optimized products.”

Known for its remarkable irons, did you know that Oliso also makes food preparation items such as a vacuum-sealer and their  SMARTHUB™- a stovetop or countertop appliance that seals, cooks sous vide, and sears?

Oliso Irons at Road

Michele Muska, Director of Content and Community Relations for Oliso, brought her team to the show to demonstrate the Oliso Smart Iron and introduce their new, Mini Project Iron.

The Mini Project Iron was developed through “a lot of grassroots work in order to get it in the hands of quilters and garment sewers,” shared Michele. The company listened to customers to come up with a product that features a diamond ceramic plate, a detail point, 120/240 wattage, steam burst, and takes only 25 seconds to heat up. Oliso spent a lot of time reaching out through podcasts like Black Women Stitch as well as Instagrammer, Rachel Daisy of Blue Mountain Daisy, sponsoring contests and giveaways to promote the new small mini project iron. The iron was so popular at Road 2020, that it sold out on the first day!!

Michele said it was great for Oliso to be back at Road. “The customers have been wonderful and super nice,” she said. They were also happy to supply the irons in the classrooms during the show.

15 Smart Ironing Tips from Oliso

1. Determine what you will be using the iron for: ironing or pressing. Ironing is defined as sliding the iron back and forth over fabric. Pressing is lifting the iron up and down over the fabric.
2. Heat and moisture are what is needed for a good crease. Using steam will speed up the ironing process.
3. Features to consider when purchasing an iron include a stainless steel soul plate (a shiny plate or one that has a Teflon coating tends to create a drag when ironing), the length of the cord, a generous water tank and an auto shut off for safety.
4. Just like pre-heating an oven before baking, make sure the iron is heated before using. This will also help prevent leaking.
5. Place the iron near your machine but far enough away so that you have to get up and walk over to it.
6. Press all seams twice. First, press the seam like you sewed it. This sets the seam. Then go back and press open or press to one side – depending on the design and how it will be quilted.

7) Press as you go. Press whenever you join another seam. Press on the back when you finish a block and when you have the top completed. Press lightly again on the right side. Never press after a quilt after it has been quilted because it will mash the batting.

8) Use the highest setting with steam when pressing cottons. Turn down the heat for polyester or synthetics. Test the fabric first from the back side.

9) White Vinegar mixed with a little water both puts a crease in and takes a crease out.

10) Never press over pins, markings, or basting threads.

11) Press long seams going across your ironing board to prevent distorting the grain line.

12) Clean the sole plate using a dryer sheet, a Clean Magic Eraser, or try this: ironing over wet table salt on a brown paper bag.

13) Clean the steam vents by pouring hot water into the chamber, heat up the iron, and quickly press out all the water over the sink.

14) Unplug or turn off electric output after use.

15) Always use regular tap water when filling the water chamber.

Thank you Oliso for your generous support of Road to California.

Women entrepreneurs and owners of Pink Sand Beach Designs, Nancy and Michelle Green, not only sell  patterns, kits, and fabric, but they provide employment opportunities for other women who otherwise might have been shut out of the work force.

Meet Founder Nancy Green

Before Pink Sand Beach Designs, Nancy Green had worked 25 years as an executive for IBM. When she retired from IBM, she knew there was a second career just waiting for her discover.

Nancy had been sewing since childhood. In 2004, after she retired, Nancy started sewing homemade bags. It didn’t take her long to see that her finished handmade bags didn’t end up looking very professional because regular quilt batting was customarily used as a filler. Nancy set to work incorporating her background in construction and engineering to analyze different fusible interfacing that could be used to replace the batting. Not long after her discovery, Nancy approached Luella, a local quilt store owner, and asked if she could teach a bag making class using her own pattern. In a class that traditionally only got a handful of attendees, twenty-four people signed up for Nancy’s first class taught at Luella’s Quilt Basket!! Due to that initial success, Nancy continued to teach as well as sell her original patterns at the Quilt Basket.

Four years later, in 2008, Nancy decided to sell her handbag patterns at Quilt Market. Having never gone to Quilt Market before, and not knowing what to expect, Nancy took 4,000 patterns that she had printed at her local print shop. Those patterns sold out quickly and her original business of making and selling handbag patterns began. Today, Nancy and Pink Sand Beach Designs sells 60-80,000 handbag patterns annually.

Pink Sand Beach Designs

When two of Nancy’s three daughters (Michelle and Kathryn) were in high school, they wanted to sew rag quilts to earn extra money. Nancy helped them buy their fabric, make kits, and sell their quilts at the local Manhattan Beach Old Town Fair. The girls named their business, Pink Sand Beach Designs after the pink sand beaches they had seen on a trip to Bermuda. The girls were in busines for a couple of years and sold over 1,000 quilts. When Michelle and Kathryn moved on to college, they sold their business name to their mom. Six years ago, Michelle joined her mom as a partner in the business.

With a passion to help other women get ahead, Nancy and Michelle hire college students to cut the fabric for their kits and stay-at-home moms to assemble the kits. In addition, they have women from local quilt guilds sell their samples.

Today, Pink Sand Beach Designs not only sells patterns, kits, fabrics, notions, and thread on their website, they also have a retail store located in a business park in Torrance. Their kits are also sold by other retail outlets like Missouri Star Quilt Co. Pink Sand Beach Designs has come to be known by their customers as the “most modern, professional” pattern and kit maker vendor at Road to California.  

Staying Relevant during the “Safer at Home” Order

When maintaining their retail store presence during the “Safer at Home” order in Los Angeles County got difficult, Michelle and Nancy got creative. Masks were their first venture during the Coronavirus shut down, along with selling elastic.  During the first 3 weeks of the lockdown, Pink Sand Beach Designs sold 250,000 mask and elastic kits. “It’s what kept us alive,” shared Nancy.

They also began holding twice weekly Facebook LIVE! selling events, offering special online deals. The store has been turned in to a highly productive, mail order procurement center. “The Facebook LIVE! is really fun. If it’s not fun, I’m not doing it,” said Nancy.

Recently, Pink Sands Beach Designs hosted another Road to California associate, The Traveling Quilters. The Traveling Quilters wanted to celebrate their 30^th Anniversary with a Facebook LIVE! of their own, and Nancy and Michelle were more than willing to provide the venue for the virtual event.

What started out as a way to have a second career, has become not only a successful sewing business but a compassionate business as well– a win-win for everyone!!

To learn more about Pink Sand Beach Designs, please visit their website.

Teri Cherne won Best Longarm Machine Quilting and received $2,500 from Sponsor, Babylock, for Finding Light in the Darkness.

Meet Teri Cherne

Teri Cherne was encouraged by her mother to use her hands to create. Teri feels “fortunate to be given that gift from her to share with others.” A two-time cancer survivor, Teri entered her first quilt contest in 2014 at MQX – Machine Quilters Exposition in New England. Her quilt, “Rays of Hope,” won second place which “thrilled” Teri.

The Story Behind Finding Light in the Darkness

Finding and using colors to capture light and darkness is what inspired Teri to make this award winning Best Longarm Machine Quilting design.  It took several years for Finding Light in the Darkness to become a quilt. First, Teri designs the entire quilt on her computer before she even begins cutting the fabric.

Finding the correct colors of fabric took a couple of years. Teri says she “got lucky” to find that Cherrywood Hand Dyed Fabrics had all the colors that she needed.

Metallic threads were used to allow the quilt to shine bright in the light. Teri used Wonderfil’s Dazzle 8wt thread for all the hand couching to add more color and shimmer.

An important lesson that she learned along the way was to not rush the process especially after spending so much time with the design process.

Naming the quilt came from her experiences with cancer. “Being a two-time Cancer survivor, there were many times I had to look within to find the light,” commented Teri.

A Winning Quilt

Teri found out that she had won Best Longarm Machine Quilting late Thursday evening, the first full day of Road 2020. She got an email from a friend who was at the show congratulating her on her win! “I was so excited, and very honored to receive Best Longarm!” Teri planned to purchase new glasses with her prize money.

Future Quilting Endeavors

At the same time Teri was working on Finding Light in the Darkness, Teri was also working on her next project, an appliqué quilt. Terri says her life is busy, so she has to keep putting her project aside. But she is confident that it will all come together, a bit at a time. For Teri, there is no rush, “it’s about savoring the journey!”

How old were you when you made your first quilt?

What inspired you to start quilting?

It was exciting to see the next generation of quilters actively involved in learning about and expanding their new craft at Road to California 2020.  

Sewing a Quilt and Sew Much More

Manix is 10 years old and came to Road 2020 with her Mom, Eva, and her mom’s friend, Louanna. They all live in Los Angeles. Louanna has been quilting for 50 years, Eva for 15 years, and Manix for the past 5 years. Manix has been coming to Road since she was one years old and loves looking at all the quilts. This next generation quilter designed and picked out all the fabric for her quilt. It still isn’t done though. For the past four years, she has been trying to get to sandwiching it all together. In the meantime, Manix has sewn a phone case for her mom, dog bandannas to raise money for a school trip, a potholder, an apron, a reversible bag and pajama bottoms. Manix really enjoyed going to a summer sewing camp in Camarillo in 2018. She attended every afternoon for a week and completed five sewing projects.  

Next Generation Sister Quilters

Melanie and Ava are sisters who came to Road with their mom and grandmother. Melanie was caught on the Road floor last year and shared her love of quilting. Since Road 2019, she has made another quilt, using Pineapple fabrics (see above). Ava prefers making miniature quilts.   

Quilt Guild Member

Brooke is 12 and came to Road 2020 to help her grandmother, Debra, with their guild’s opportunity quilt display. Brooke and her grandmother are members of the Patchwork Pals mini group of the Simi Valley Quilt Guild. Debra taught Brooke to quilt about a year ago and proudly says, “Brooke is very talented.”  They’ve already attended two quilt retreats together. Brooke has her own Brother sewing machine that she has used to design and sew two quilts: a nail polish quilt for her manicurist and a fox themed quilt. Brooke says quilting is “fun” and “relaxing.”

A Winning Quilter

Jayden is also 12 years old. Road to California 2020 was her first time at Road. She came to the Show with her grandmother, Cheri and aunt, Laurie, who are both quilters. They wanted to show Jayden how Road is “like an art museum” filled with “many inspiring things.”  

This next generation quilter had “beginner’s luck” as she was one of two winners of the Roadie Bucks on Saturday of the Show.  “I just walked in and I won,” said a surprised Jayden.

Jayden has been sewing since she was 3 years old. She was inspired by watching her grandmother quilt and thought “it looked like fun.” So far, Jayden has sewn a dress, pillows, puppets and has helped her grandmother make quilts. She is looking forward to creating her own quilt soon.

Who can you share your love of quilting with and help them become a next generation quilter?

Ever since 2015 when the Tentmakers of Cairo made their first appearance at Road to California, their classes on the ancient art of applique have always sold out. Road 2020 was no different.

Who are the Tentmakers of Cairo

The Tentmakers of Cairo are from Khan Khayamiya—the Market of the Tentmakers — located in the heart of Old Islamic Cairo. It is here that this particular form of applique is taught and preserved.

Anciently, this type of artwork was used to line tents or screens covered in appliqué that would decorate a whole street. Amazing pattern pieces were created and stitched based on geometry, sacred texts, and ancient artwork. The Tentmakers’ brilliantly colored appliqué is still used today for ceremonial purposes at weddings, funerals, henna parties, or Ramadan celebrations. Unfortunately, it is quickly becoming a lost art form due to machines being used to replace the hand-made items. Another problem is unscrupulous businesses are copying and selling off the Tentmakers’ unique designs.

Coming to Road to California

International textile artist and Road to California teacher, Jenny Bowker, learned of the modern-day Tentmaker’s plight with the possibility of losing their ancient art. She helped shed light on the critical situation by curating a Special Exhibit, Stitch Like An Egyptian, which first came to Road in 2015.

In that exhibit, two Egyptian Tentmakers, Hosam Hanafy Ahmed Mahmoud and Tarek Abdelhay Hafez Abouelenin were on hand to demonstrate their method of appliqué. They also assisted Jenny in teaching her classes that year on their methods.  

Because of the popularity of this exhibit, Road invited Hosam and Tarek to return in 2017. That year, they still demonstrated in the special exhibit but they also took a more active role in teaching their ancient art. In addition, they brought many completed quilts to sell with the proceeds being used back in Cairo to promote new artists learning the tentmaker’s skills.

The Tentmakers at Road 2020

For Road 2020, two new tentmakers came to teach the ancient art of tentmaking in Road classes. Ahmad Kamal and Ekramy Hanafy were thrilled to be sharing their ancient art and meeting their fans. Ahmad said of his Road to California experience, “Wow!! {This has been a} pleasant experience for us.”

Diane and Sally are friends from Irvine, California who took the tentmaker’s class. Diane signed up for the class because Sally wanted to learn needle-turn applique. Diane said, “I was so glad I came. I learned a lot.” Sally added, “This was the absolute best instruction. Their technique is very unique. There was no language barrier during the class as we watched everything they did with their hands.”

Pam has been quilting for 18 years and came to Road from Indiana. She had met Ahmad at a previous quilting event the year before. She bought a quilt from him there and decided she wanted to take a class when the opportunity came up. “I loved the class. What an incredible technique!!” And an extra bonus for Pam was learning all the wonderful Egyptian history.

Joe is from San Jose, California. He took the Egyptian Tentmakers’ class because he does a lot of hand applique and wanted to learn this ancient art method. “This was new, different and slow,” said Joe, comparing it the other applique he does.

Cindi has been quilting and coming to Road to California for the past 5 years. She wanted to learn the technique and buy a quilt from the tentmakers. “I’m hooked and my husband is hooked too ever since he read their book, “Tentmakers of Cairo.”

Road to California was pleased to offer this international class focusing on this ancient art.    

Seeing quilts from the perspective of someone who makes quilts or just admires looking at quilts is way different from seeing them as quilt judges. Quilt judges have a big responsibility and view their roles very seriously. A two-time quilt judge for Road to California explained it this way: It can be “intimidating,” “difficult,” and a just plain “hard job” especially “when you think about giving away $10,000.”

After the three quilt judges for Road’s 2020 Quilt Contest made their decision for the top prizes, they each individually chose their own Judge’s Choice Winners.

Pat Harrison

Pat Harrison is a long-arm quilter, lecturer and workshop teacher, quilt designer, and owner of Ocean Waves Quilting Company. She became a certified quilt judge in 2008.  

Pat chose Arches by Caryl Bryer Fallert-Gentry as her Judge’s Choice Winner.

What influenced Pat in her decision? “To begin, I look for a balance between excellent design and excellent workmanship. In addition, I seek to find a quilt that catches my eye and when possible, I strive to award my Judge’s Choice to a quilt that is a completely original design. My selection fulfilled all these criteria as well as appealing to my love of architectural elements.”

John Flynn

John Flynn has been a quilt judge twice for Road to California. John is a hand quilter, Featherweight owner and repair teacher, retreat leader, and along with his wife and daughter, owns Flynn Quilt Frame Company.

John’s Judge’s Choice Winner was Blue Windows by Jennifer Emry.

Why did John pick Blue Windows? “I liked everything about this quilt, the clean lines, the creative fabric choices the precise piecing, and the thoughtful well-done quilting design.”

Pepper Cory

Pepper Cory is a quilt maker, teacher, author, fabric and stencil designer. She owned a quilt shop, Culpepper’s Quilts, in Lansing, Michigan from 1976-1988.

Away by Karen K Stone was Pepper’s Director’s Choice winner.

Pepper shared her reasoning behind her choice: “In choosing my judge’s award it was a visceral response. “That’s it!” I shouted as soon as I saw it. Loved it. Wished I had made it. Admired the workmanship and artistry.”

Quilt Judges Give Advice For Future Quilt Competitors

Road 2020 Quilt Judges were asked what advice they would give to quilters interested in entering their workmanship in a quilt contest like Road to California.

Pepper Cory had a long list of suggestions which included, “Read the show’s description of the categories and make sure you’re entering your quilt in the correct group… A quilt is only judged against what’s in its group. A piece that gets a blue ribbon in one show might totally fall out of contention in another. It’s all about your competition at that event.”

John added, “Be original. Use fabrics that you love not what you expect the judges to love. Be as precise as you are able. Quilt with some feeling. Enjoy the process it will show in the finished quilt.”

And finally, Pat replied, “My advice to quilters wanting to submit a quilt to a quilt contest is to just do it! Don’t doubt your skills but open yourself to having your quilt evaluated by the judges and marveled at by the show attendees. Having a quilt judged should encourage a quilter and help them identify where they might need to improve…After all, who doesn’t like to get better at what they love and in so doing make the whole quilt making process more enjoyable.”

Thank you to Road’s 2020 quilt judges and congratulations to the makers of their winning Judge’s Choice selections.

Will you be entering a quilt in Road to California’s 2021 contest?