Happy Surprises

While wondering around the streets of Paducah during Quilt Week we found many nice surprises tucked here and there, but one of the most delightful was Caryl Bryer Fallert's Bryerpatch Studio.  I wasn't previously familiar with Caryl's work, but we saw in one of the show booklets that her studio was open to tour sooo... not knowing what we would find, we sought it out and were totally wowed!  ~ Don't you love it when that happens :)

Now I'm a more traditional quilter at heart and I love my cozy reproduction fabrics, but I also love color and texture, and the way that Caryl uses both just blew me away.  We had found ourselves a wonderful Creative Excursion :)

In her spacious classroom there was a gallery of quilts set up, and around every corner there was another happy surprise. 

We were permitted to snap photos, and Caryl has graciously given me permission to share some of them here.  You can click on these pictures to get a little better view of the quilts, they were just awesome in person, and my humble pictures don't really do them justice.

Caryl hand dyes some of her own fabrics, and has designed some beautiful fabric lines for Benartex Fabrics.

And her quilting is amazing.  I love how she quilts secondary shadow figures on many of her quilts.

The secondary shadows along with the curves and movement in her pieces add so much interest.  

 

Along with the Gallery/Classroom and the Dying Studio, Bryerpatch Studio has a store in the front and an entire upstairs where Caryl lives, creates, and hosts Workshop and Retreat guests.   All were open to tour along with the gardens and lovely little courtyard complete with water feature.  If you visit Paducah, make Bryerpatch Studio a "Must See" on your list.  

Whether you make it to Paducah or not, check out the Bryerpatch Studios website for many more wonderful pictures (Make sure you click on the Articles Button for information, how-tos, and free pattern!).

Enjoy the day!

~ Dawn