Art Quilts

Art quilts, at first a curiosity in both the quilt and art worlds, are now a contemporary genre of their own. They reflect the artmakers’ vision and creativity as much as paintings do. Beginning with fabric or other fiber-based material, art quilters conceive abstract or representational art. Fiber is their palette. Piecing, appliqué, thread painting, collage and more all play a role. Fiber artists create landscapes, portraits – any image they can conceive.

Browse through the art quilts and quilters for your own inspiration, then make your own.

Applique Art Quilts

Spotlight: Karol Kusmaul, Fiber Artist

Karol Kusmaul made her first quilt as a project with her class of third grade students for a school fair. Now she makes graphic art quilts - portraits, landscapes and...

Spotlight: Kathy McNeil, Appliqué Quilt Artist

Meet award-winning appliqué quilt artist Kathy McNeil! She began her creative journey as a young child, then later discovered the possibilities of making pictures from fabric. Her most challenging piece...

Spotlight: Lucy Levenson, Folk Art Designer

Her brave use of color when combining fabric, stitch and paint sets Lucy Levenson apart from the crowd. With intricate details, her fanciful work invites an up close and personal...

Abstract Art Quilts

Spotlight: Sherri Lipman McCauley, Fiber Artist

A paint flinger. Sherri Lipman McCauley's description of her process does more than hint at her improvisational style. Sherri's art cloth begins with plain white fabric that she transforms into...

Spotlight: David Owen Hastings, Textile Artist

David Owen Hastings is a textile artist whose work appeals to those who love organic processes and the beauty of nature, color and texture. David combines his monotype-printed paper with...

Spotlight: Alexis Deise, Contemporary Quilter

As a contemporary quilter, Alexis Deise works in series to focus and dig deeper into ideas that are important to her, all while honoring the women who built an enduring...

Thread Painted Art Quilts

Spotlight: Hollis Chatelain, Textile Artist

Inspired by her humanitarian work in Africa, Hollis Chatelain creates art quilts that raise awareness of the human condition in the third world. Back in the States, she wanted to...

Thread Painting

Thread painting is a type of free motion embroidery where the thread "paints" images your quilt top - the quilt top is your canvas and the thread is your paint. I...

Spotlight: Lea McComas, Thread Painter & Fiber Artist

As Lea McComas travels the world and immerses herself in rich and vibrant cultures, her art reflects the human experience. With fabric and thread, she captures moments that highlight the...

Landscape Art Quilts

Spotlight: Luana Rubin, Artist and Creative Entrepreneur

How do you spot Luana Rubin? She's the one with a gazillion balls in the air! Painter, photographer, art quilter, color forecaster, philanthropist, world traveler and fabric industry entrepreneur, Luana's...

Spotlight: Vicki Conley, Potter and Art Quilter

As a scientist, Vicki Conley loved doing research. It was while "researching" for a new job that she took a pottery class and never looked back. But she kept looking...

Spotlight: Susie Monday, Fiber Artist and Teacher

Raised in a creative home, at the age of 9 with the gift of a "real" artist box, Susie Monday became an Artist-with-a-Capital-A. She believed it, and so it was...

Modern Art Quilts

Spotlight: Jacquie Gering, Modern Art Quilter

Jacquie Gering begins each quilt with an idea, but lets inspiration lead throughout her process, sometimes taking the work on unexpected, but welcome, turns. Known for her use of clean,...

Spotlight: Sylvia Schaefer, Modern Quilter

Can art and science get along? Of course they can! With a Ph.D. in marine science, Sylvia Schaefer approaches quilting from a scientist's point of view, always asking, "What if?"...

Spotlight: Geraldine Warner, Fiber Artist

Fiber artist Geraldine Warner had never quilted, but knew she wanted to somehow paint with fabric. Working mostly with silk, she immerses herself in every part of the creative process,...