We’re vending at the Maine Quilts quilt show in Augusta, Maine this weekend and there are some real “wow” quilts here. With quilts ranging from traditional to modern, machine to hand quilted, traditionally pieced to applique, and everything in between, there is something for everyone at this show. Here are some that caught my eye, and at the end, of the post, our favorite picks from the show.

During the Maine Quilt Shop Hope they had a quilt challenge. All of the shops used the same fabric and created different quilts. I loved seeing these quilts displayed together. While they had so many different quilts, I picked a few that showed how different quilts fabric can present depending on the quilt pattern and the quilting. These quilts are from

I tend to be a more modern girl, but this hand-quilted applique quilt is a real stunner. The detail in the flowers is stunning and the quilting, DONE BY HAND, is phenomenal. The scalloped border is super interesting with different shapes, and the pretty beadwork is a subtle embellishment that supports the centerpiece. Well done Christine Wickert, and congratulations on your ribbon.

And the third, Off with Her Head by Lisa Davis is based on Tula’s Bloomers using Tula’s Curiouser fabric. While a very modern quilt, English Paper Piecing is believed to have originated in England in the 1700’s. This quilt is a great combo of old and new with a fantastic colorful result!

These five quilts merge modern sensibilities with phenomenal quilting, and several have ribbons to show for it. L-R: Every Which Way by Jen Sorenson, Little Miss Sawtooth by Pauline McGrath, Double Helix, also by Jen Sorenson, Windsweep by Diane Vasile and Crumby Paws by Rebecca Rogers. I love matchstick quilting as it offers great texture. And the quilter on the second quilt did a great choice picking motifs that truly support her piecing. Diane’s quilt is exceptional custom quilting that supports the motif of the piecing. I also really enjoyed the improv piecing of Rebecca’s quilt. Great work ladies!

These two quilts are a fun take on leaves. The first is Monstera and Friends by Renee Arbisi. She was inspired by a botanical-related Instagram account. Inspiration comes from anywhere! The second is Autumn Snowflakes by Sharon Mossy. Sharon designed each leaf individually and composed the quilt to look like snowflakes falling. It is an awesome unique composition.

Of course the Kaffe Fassett Collective was represented in the show. Above, Harlequin by Susan Michaels is her original design that uses 30 different Kaffe Fassett fabrics and was inspired by tiles in Venice. I loved this given my love of all things Kaffe! And below, Stormy Weather by Stephanie Schiller, “is the antithesis of smooth sailing.”

This next bunch of quilts are ideas that I have wanted to make or techniques I am interested in.

The show did a Mariner’s Compass theme challenge titled “All Points Lead to Maine.” Here are some of the highlights for me!

These all brought the theme to life and were especially interesting to me. L-R they are: My Nautical Daydreams by Linda Mangum, Mariner’s Compass Rolling Island by Mary Pat Leger, Challenge Was the Operative Word by Linda Dranchak and Big Top by Victoria Pariyar.

These three quilts all have exceptional quilting, although the quilts themselves are dramatically different – and all three have ribbons!

Clockwise they are: No Home Owner’s Association by Judith Yorke, The Long Road to Baltimore by Rainy Stevens and Golden Feathers 2 by Katherine Collins.

Tarnished Star by Robin Long includes lots of other design elements beyond her Lone Star block. I love her color palette and use of Tim Holtz as a background fabric. It is soft, but vibrant at the same time. That is not easy to do!

Here are a few other quilts that caught my eye! They are Coming Into Light (gradient yellow to purple) by Marge Tucker. This is a string quilt with some improv piecing and the color play is fantastic. Next up is September by Barbara Rouse, featuring a Southwest landscape in cotton and silk. I thought the palette was great and liked the piecing techniques used to create the landscape. The quilt with the lime green background is A Single Ingredient by Wendy Reed. I love the Kaffe appliques and applaud the hand quilting. And the quilt with the tiny squares is Colorwashed by Judy Babbidge. It is a fun effect, and great to look at it in person. The batik quilt is Lakeside by Kimberly Mims, which was a Wilmington Block of the Month. It came out great.

There are so many other great quilts, but I have to get back to work! Katy and I each picked a show favorite and here they are….

Katy went gaga for the tiny piecing while I was captivated by the gradient in the petals. There were so many choices, but if we each had to pick one, here they are.

If you get a chance to visit Maine Quilts in the future, I say go for it. It was a great show in a fun area!