Betty Ekern Suiter's Gallery
Floral SymphonyFloral Symphony is a copy of a carpet by Asmara, with permission. All the colors and flowers are different. This quilt depicts the lyrical elegance of the time of Louis XVI. The quiltmaker’s thoughtful design is evident in the appliquéd flowers, which curve and swoop to portray a graceful garden trellis. The fact that the elaborate corners are balanced in design and color, but are not symmetrical, adds a depth of interest to the visual impact. This quilt was selected as one of the 100 Best American Quilts of the 20th Century in the Ultimate quilt Search. This is an incredible honor. This is a historic list, which includes the greatest names in quiltmaking of the past 100 years. Hand appliquéd and hand quilted. |
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Welcome To My DreamsGraceful, whimsical movement is achieved by the flowing swirls and curlicues used in abundance to adorn this quilt. Hand dyed colors feel warm and welcoming – my dreams are exposed. There are eight hues of each of the four colors. Welcome to My Dreams won seven best of show awards including Betty’s second best of show win at the 2002 American Quilters Society in Paducah, KY. Betty is the second person to win best of show more than once in the history of the AQS. It also has won Best Workmanship four times. It took two and one half years to complete. Hand appliquéd and hand quilted. |
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Grace UnfoldingGrace Unfolding is another of Betty’s original designs. The center is like a kaleidoscope gracefully unfolding to reveal the beautiful display of flowers. The feathered swags in the kaleidoscope frame the stylized harps of varying harmonizing colors. A custom trapunto design elaborately graces the space surrounding the center. A garden of 40 different flowers fills the inner border. The final swag border frames this beautiful quilt. This quilt was finished in 2006 and took 3,822 hours to make. It is heavily quilted with 2,400 yards of quilting thread. Hand appliquéd and hand quilted. |
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Rhythmic HuesRhythmic Hues was made in 2004 for the American Quilters Society 20th Anniversary exhibit at MAQS (Museum of the American Quilters Society). The 20 Best of Show quilts were on exhibit along with a “companion” piece by each of the makers. This quilt was exhibited along with Aubusson Jarden Partiere and Welcome To My Dreams. This is another of Betty’s original designs. The quilt is entirely stipple quilted at 1/16”. The stylized meandering trapunto feather and tulip feathers add to the design element to enhance the appliqué. Rhythmic Hues exudes a graceful expression of perfection. Hand Appliquéd and hand quilted |
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Aubusson Jarden PartiereThe inspiration for this quilt came from a picture of a nineteenth century French Aubusson carpet. Carrying within it the elements of classic beauty, this quilt is both delicate and dramatic. It exudes the graceful charm of a French garden and provides excitement with the tapestry of rich burgundies and blues. The balance, color, and scale of this piece are all in harmony, which gives to the work a strong and beautiful visual impact. In addition, the richly textured surface gleams with the skill reminiscent of the old time master quilters. This quilt won three Best Workmanship Awards and nine Best of Show Awards including Betty’s first Best of Show Award at the 1996 American Quilters Society in Paducah, KY. Hand appliquéd and hand quilted. |
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Lilies Of The FieldLillies of the Field is made with 3,697 pieces and was made in 1990 before the rotary cutter so it was cut using templates and scissor. The 24 - 10 ½ " blocks are made from 111 pieces and set on point. The alternate blocks all contain a trapunto design and the entire quilt is quilted with a ¼” grid using 2,500 yards of quilting thread. This quilt is a great example of wonderful trapunto enhanced design. Hand quilted |
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