As I was reading a recent article in Quilters Newsletter, I realized that my study of squares and rectangles in quilts was incomplete.  Did you notice?  All of the examples that I cited were from traditional patchwork quilts.  But what about appliqué?  What about art quilts?  Are there not examples of quilt designs featuring squares and rectangles in these genres as well?  Of course there are!  And today, I set out to find some.  

The first place I went looking was Quilting Arts Magazine.  Their website features a Photo Gallery where readers can submit their quilt and fiber art.  This is where the first three examples were located.

“Green in the Middle” by Meta Heemskerk

The fuzzy centers are made from thread and embroidery floss stitched on water-soluble stabilizer.  They are set onto squares of painted Lutradur (a 100% polyester spun bond non-woven translucent web) and mounted on a painted canvas.

“Gandhi Fabric Mosiac Strip Quilt” by Diana’s Art Quilts

Isn’t this amazing?  Especially when you consider that this representation of Mahatma Gandhi is made entirely from ¼-inch rectangles!  Diana states that she made this 18″ x 20″ block as a donation to a theme quilt on racism.

“Sunset” by Sue Bleiweiss

This rectangle in a square was made from hand-dyed silk, rolled and made into cord, and glass beads.

“Rectangle Reunion” by Moran Art and Quilts

This rectangular study is for sale!  Check it out on Etsy…

“3D Squares” by Moran Art and Quilts

Also for sale on Etsy, this quilt truly does give the illusion of three-dimensional floating squares.

“Geometrus 2 (Noonday Walk)” by Kay Haerland

I love this quilt!  Kay says she wanted to see if she could create a landscape using geometric shapes, in this case, rectangles.  Definitely!  This quilt was exhibited at the 2005 Pacific International Quilt Festival XIV and won fourth place for Open Art Quilts at the 2005 Sydney Quilt Show.

“Square Dance Quilt” by Marcia Dean

Even though this quilt is contructed with traditional patchwork, it has a very art quilt feel to it.  It is available for sale at the Cambridge Artists Cooperative.

“Kid’s Garden Trellis” by Ann Anderson

What a fun and vibrant use of rectangles!  This quilt is for sale from Ann Anderson Designs.

“Springtime Forever” by Isabelle Wiessler

Isn’t this a beautiful use of squares?  This quilt understandably earned the Judge’s Choice award in the 2006 Husqvarna Viking Quilt Competition “Imagine That!”