Fractured Puzzle was a totally experimental quilt design, pushing the boundaries of “What if…”
It’s my modern/artistic take on a more traditional/contemporary design that I offer as a free PDF download for newsletter subscribers, called Puzzle Box:
Imagine my surprise when I found out it took 2nd place in the Modern Category at MQX Quilt Festival New England this week! After all, it was originally made for the Michael Miller Modern Quilt Guild fabric challenge and was a proud QuiltCon reject.
It just goes to show that’s it’s so worth it to enter more than one show. You just never know which judges/juries it will appeal to!
I love the pink ribbon – it is so cute!! Thanks to Jolene on Instagram for getting these pics!!
They hung the quilt so everyone can see the backside, too – clever!!
Here’s more detail of the quilting. I pieced and quilted it entirely on my BERNINA 770 QE. I matchstick quilted each of the fractured sections in a different direction using my favorite Aurifil 50 weight #2615 Aluminium.
Then I quilted the red sashing in a fun geometric free-motion design with Aurifil #2250 Red.
This meant I had about a bazillion knots to tie off in each section, but I found it very relaxing to do while watching TV!!
I love entering quilt shows, especially those with modern categories and am always shocked, yet humbled when I get a ribbon. Sharing them in public is so fun; getting an award is like icing on the cake!
Here’s what I had to say about Fractured Puzzle:
I was so happy when Gotham Quilts on Instagram snapped a photo with the ribbon on it. Yippee!!
Click this link for more about the making of Fractured puzzle.
Christa Quilts 
Congratulations! You continue to inspire me to try something new.
Congrats! This was a well deserved ribbon, beautiful quilt! I am so glad you had the bravery to chop up the quilt top to make the fractured version.
Congratulations ! You deserve it ! You work very hard !
Congratulations!!! I remember when you cut it up!!! It really IS worth entering different shows. You’ve given me the courage to do that!!!
Your talent and love of making something so unique pays off again! Christa, I am so very happy for you! And what fun to be surprised and have a friend send you the pictures. Keep up the great things you are doing outside your comfort zone. You are inspiring!
congratulations!!! just goes to show. just do it. you never know. big congrats.
Congratulations!
Rita
Congratulations! It also shows how subjective the judging is. What some judges like in one show, others barely notice in another show. Thus “rejection” in one show, doesn’t mean more than that your quilt didn’t happen to ring the bell of whomever was jury in or judging that particular show. And when you look at a show, it’s clear that if would be awfully difficult to pick out the best from what’s always a bunch of really great quilts. Likewise, I’m sure there were tons of great submissions which didn’t make it. At least that’s how I feel. It is almost a lottery, really, once you pass some level of proficiency.
Well done, Christa! I’m always amazed by the originality in your quilts–and this one really ups your game into a whole new direction 🙂
Congratulations! A daring approach that paid off quite well.
Congratulations. Love your creativity. It blew me away when I read that all the quilting was hand guided. The straight lines I understand but the the triangles are so precise that I though they might be long armed. Beautiful
Congratulations, Christa! I’m delighted for you! 🙂
I love the backing as much as the front! You are truly amazing.
Congratulations! Very adventurous with great results! “Hand-guided” quilting, I like that term!
CONGRATULATIONS CHRISTA!!!!!
That quilting and all those knots…shew! Great talent and patience. I love the backside as well. Congratulations! Well deserved!
congratulations. this is really cool. i love the colors you put together
Huge ‘congrats’ to you!!!!!! So deserving and you are so correct about the advice to enter a quilt in more than one show. Quilting is ‘art’ and is very subjective in its appeal (beyond the obvious technical level) and each of us are impacted so differently by the same piece!!!!!!
That is a creative way to make a new modern design. I especially love the quilting and can’t wait to purchase your recently released book with Angela W.
I’m going to MQX with my BFF”s tomorrow and will enjoy seeing one of your quilts in person!
Congratulations! You’re really putting your unique quilting ideas out there and are getting the attention they deserve.
Awesome Christa. Congrats!
Congratulations!!! You are so right about enter lots of different quilt shows…rejected by one, ribbon in another!!! I love the chances you took with this quilt and the quilting…just goes to show what you can create when you go with “what if?”!!!