October 1999, 24" wide by 24" high, © 1999, Maria Elkins, All Rights Reserved.

Beautiful Treasures by Maria Elkins
Beautiful Treasures
This quilt was made for a quilt guild challenge where I was given four "ugly" fabrics to use. Made in 1999, this quilt measures 24" by 24". This original design won second place in the applique division of the Miami Valley Quilt Guild Challenge Show. Doors, window shutters and one roof open to reveal animal friends. Motifs are fused and appliqued using machine buttonhole stitch. Free-motion, machine quilted.

The title, "Beautiful Treasures," has a dual meaning. First, it points to our friends as being beautiful treasures. In the quilt these treasured friends are hidden behind the doors, windows and, for the upper left house, under the roof. In addition, each house is connected to another in some way so the friends can visit each other. The second indirect meaning of the title is the fact that "ugly" fabrics can be used in beautiful ways.