Discover the inspiration behind these amazing pieces of textile art!

1. FRIDA KAHLO by Phyllis Petrillo

Frida Kahlo has always been my hero. She is an artist of unbreakable spirit, fierce honesty, and raw emotion. Through her pain, she transformed suffering into beauty and truth. In this quilted portrait, I celebrate her strength, her colors, and her courage to live authentically. Each fabric piece reflects her complexity, vulnerability, and resilience woven together. Frida reminds me that art can heal, empower, and declare identity with unapologetic pride and passion. 

FB: Phyllis Petrillo

2. I'm Moving to Australia by Heidi August

A few years ago I took an online class with a teacher who lives in Australia. I finally was able to meet her in person and we became quick friends. Quilters are the friendliest people. This quilt is done entirely by hand: I “fussy” cut each piece and sewed the quilt by hand. If you look closely, you will see many little pictures and themes.

IG:  monthady      FB: facebook.com/Heidiaugust 

3. Perfectly Imperfect 50 by Dianne McCarthy

This is a "Temperature Quilt". I recorded the high and low temperatures of every day in 2024 corresponding to our specific location. Temperatures were grouped and designated a color. I translated these colors into a large square as the "low" temperature and the slash as the "high" temperature. This was completed March of 2025 in time to celebrate our 50th Wedding Anniversary. We are perfectly imperfect together.

4. Vital Circulation by Catherine Parker 

In a world that often overlooks the subtle, this work invites viewers to reflect on the intricate beauty surrounding us. The detailed study of leaf veins reveals their essential role as living pathways, transporting nutrients vital to the plant' survival. The overlapping forms suggest unity and interdependence within natural systems, while the vivid color palette draws attention to the quiet complexity of life's design.

5. Wonky Logs 3 - Heat Waves and Lightening Bolt by Janet Porter

This piece was designed for an artist’s call, “Endless Summer” to depict how fall is different in a tropical climate. The three log blocks represent the three hot fall months in South Florida. The hand quilted lightning bolt in big stitch represents the frequent brief thunderstorms with simultaneous blue skies. It’s further quilted with red thread to represent heat waves.

6. Sentinel 1 by Susan Skatoff

Inspired by American sculptor David Smith (1906-1965). Smith said : "My concept of an artist is a revolt against the well-worn beauties in the form of a statue. Rather I would prefer my assemblages to be the savage idols of basic patterns." My series of work honoring David Smith explores the dichotomy between metal and fabric. Sentinel 1 is a totem, a guardian saluting Smith's iconic art and enduring legacy.

Website: susanskatoff.com

7. Stormy Night by Susan Skatoff

Storms are forming in the Atlantic. You wake up at 2am to read the latest update from NOAA. The swirling image on your phone...a digital display of violent conditions, slowly spinning on your screen, quiet and colorful, like galaxies in the nighttime sky.

Website: susanskatoff.com

8. Groovin by Dianne McCarthy

pieced & quilted by Dianne McCarthy 

“Color is like music. The palette is an instrument that can be orchestrated to build form.” ~ John French Sloan 

What does music look like? What does color feel like? 

In this piece, I explored a physical interpretation of the energy, rhythm, and emotion that music evokes within us. Using improvisational design and piecing techniques, I allowed curved shapes and color to guide the piece's evolution within a set structure, like a melody flowing into the soul.

Machine stitching is used not just to bind the layers, but as a decorative element adding texture and a layer of energy across the surface. 

About the artist: Dianne McCarthy’s work has been exhibited in galleries as well as regional and national quilt shows. She is on the Board of the Palm Beach Modern Quilt Guild, presenting lectures, designing quilts, organizing and leading their production for both exhibition and charitable giving. 

Personally, fabric is a tactile and familiar medium for her; a connection to her mother and grandmothers who introduced her to the art of making. She is inspired by color, shape, light, shadow, and movement. Fabric begs her imagination to transform it into something that’s representational, abstract, fun, artful, cheerful, and sometimes difficult.

9. MAYA by Phyllis Petrillo

This piece celebrates my most beloved poet, champion, and woman. The amazing Maya Angelou. Her strength, wisdom, and unshakable grace have inspired generations to rise above struggle and embrace their own power. I portrayed her radiant smile and joyful spirit as a symbol of resilience and triumph. The text behind her echoes her words-- courage, love, and hope -- woven into fabric just as her voice is woven into our hearts and history.

FB: Phyllis Petrillo

10. Circle VI by Susan Skatoff

Part of a series based on the work of David Smith (1906-1965) where I am interpreting the artists metal sculpture through textile. Painted in unnatural colours but constructed to relate with the dramatic landscape of upstate NY, Smith’s sculptures confront and challenge the viewer with scale and form. Smith titled works Circle I – Circle V. Circle VI is my tribute to this pivotal artist of the Abstract Expressionist period of American Art.

Website: susanskatoff.com

11. Rewrite by Marya Amig

This modern wall quilt is a celebration of reuse, recycling, and making do. Stitched with fabric gleaned from all parts of linen garments, Rewrite was improvisationally pieced into blocks that were assembled on my design wall. The quilt was big-stitched by hand using perle cotton thread from my stash.

IG: maryaamig   FB: facebook.com/marya.amig/

12. Rainbow Clouds by Kristin Beck

As a multidisciplinary artist my studio practice is fueled by the color and rhythm of the subtropics combined with making functional pieces, like handmade books or quilts. I am fascinated by how things are made, and the storytelling derived from learning a process, particularly ones that are passed down through generations. I create pieces using multiple mediums to broaden the visual texture of a body of work.

IG: kristinmbeck   Website: www.artbuzzstudio.com

13. Cone of Uncertainty by Deborah Krajkowski

Completed in 2018, this machine pieced, original design was machine quilted on a frame (longarm). For more information about the artist, visit her Instagram page and website.

IG: deborahkrajkowski   FB: www.facebook.com/deborahkrajkowski

14. Improv Sampler by Melissa King

Improv Sampler was my first improvisational quilt. I wanted to explore putting a spin on traditional quilt blocks. Several artist such as Victoria Findlay Wolfe, Cindy Grisdela, Maria Shell, and Sherri Lynn Wood gave me inspiration to explore this type of quilting. 

In the quilt one sees circles, wedges, curves, triangles, and squares. The quilting was done by free motion and straight-line using rulers. 

There is a preconceived notion with some quilters that a quilt should be perfect. Improvisational quilting allowed me the freedom to create and play without perfection.

FB: Facebook.com/MelissaGibbsKing

15. Coastal Canopy by Sherry Pasquariello

This quilt reminds me of looking up at the sky through a forest of Coastal redwoods when we lived in Northern California. Pattern is 'Introspection' by Eudaimonia Studio.

IG: otterbeequilting   FB: facebook.com/SherryWullkottePasquariello

For more information about the Palm Beach Modern Quilt Guild, visit:

palmbeachmqg.com