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Art Quilts

Category: <span>Art Quilts</span>

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 materials, quilt artists 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, abstract art or address social justice issues – any image they can conceive.

Art quilters are also referred to as fiber artists or textile artists. They use a wide variety of materials to make a visual impact with their work. Works can include surface design with paints or dyes, raw edge appliqué and a variety of media.

They work with traditional quilting methods or works in an improvisational style. Most of all, they are lifting fiber arts as a visual arts medium.

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

Applique Art Quilts

Flirting

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...

All You Need is Love by Kathy McNeil

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...

Lush Summer

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

Touch of Color fiber art by Sherri McCauley

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...

Kibun Mood by David Owen Hastings

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...

American Album

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

Compassion

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 Alice

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...

The Long Goodbye by Lea McComas

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

Rocky Mountain Poison quilt

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...

Slot Canyon by Vicki Conley

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...

Cactus quilt at sunset

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

Homage by Jacquie Gering

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,...

Peel and Patch quilt by Sylvia Schaefer

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?"...

Flow by Geraldine Warner

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,...

More Art Quilts

That Than Which fiber art by Sonja Lee-Austin

Spotlight: Sonja Lee-Austin, Creative Experimenter

For Sonja Lee-Austin, making art has never been optional—it’s simply who she is. Her layered textile pieces weave together memory, symbolism, and curiosity. Photo credit: Elizabeth Collado Photography Can you…
The WEF Extras #115 fiber art by Regula Affolter

Spotlight: Regula Affolter, Art Quilter

Swiss textile artist Regula Affolter has spent decades turning fabric into layered stories, blending printing, stitching, and dyeing into her unique visual language. From reusing family heirloom linens to founding…
Summer Reading art quilt by Kathy Ford

Spotlight: Kathy Ford, Quilt Artist

Kathy Ford creates quilts that are layered with story, structure, and heart. With roots in architecture and a deep commitment to reuse and care, she creates textile art that holds…
Color Play by Maryte Collard

Spotlight: Maryte Collard, Quilt Artist

Maryte Collard’s creative journey began in a small Lithuanian town where sewing, knitting, and embroidery were part of everyday life. Now an accomplished quilter, she blends tradition, bold colors, and…
Fabric collage by Drew Steinbrecher

Spotlight: Drew Steinbrecher, Collage, Printmaking and Fiber Artist

For Drew Steinbrecher, becoming an artist wasn’t one big “aha” moment—it was a series of small steps, experiments, and discoveries. Inspired by the beauty and chaos of urban life, Drew…
Misty #1 by Katriina Flensburg

Spotlight: Katriina Flensburg, Fiber Artist

Guided by her Finnish roots and a love for Nordic simplicity, Katriina Flensburg finds inspiration in nature, color, and form. Her work blends tradition with modern expression, always chasing the…
Eruption fiber art by Lee McLean

Spotlight: Lee McLean, Textile Artist

From her first stitches with a neighborhood quilting group to studying visual art full-time, Lee McLean has built a vibrant practice as a textile artist. She combines improv piecing, hand-dyed…
Ann in the Yellow Hat fiber art by Tasha Owen

Spotlight: Tasha Owen, Photographer and Quilt Artist

Tasha Owen transforms her photographic eye into striking textile art, blending light, fabric, and story. Her quilts invite us into a world where images come alive through texture and thread.…
Detail of Torrential Rain by Lynn Woll

Letters Home: Torrential Rain

In this letter, Weezie chats about the rain, report cards, and afternoon parties. Torrential Rain, 2025, 14-1/2 x 31-1/2, Hand-painted fabric, Hand embroidery and stitching with metallic threads, beading. May…

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