The National Quilt Museum is pleased to host the 18 winning quilts of the 2009 Burgoyne Surrounded-themed New Quilts from an Old Favorite contest. These innovative quilts represent quilters from 10 different U.S. states as well as Germany.


Sponsored by Clover Needlecraft Inc., Fairfield Processing Corporation and Janome America, Inc., this international contest challenges quiltmakers to create original quilts based on a specific quilt pattern. Inspired by the traditional Burgoyne Surrounded pattern, the quiltmakers have modified the design in imaginative ways, providing a wonderful look at the skills, techniques and creativity of today's quiltmakers. All quilt finalists will be on exhibit at the Museum March 13 – May 19, 2009 and then travel to various museums through December 2010.


The Burgoyne Surrounded block derives from a key event in American history, the Battle of Saratoga. General John Burgoyne of the British Army devised the plan to march on Albany, NY, from Canada only to be surrounded and defeated by American militia. This battle proved to the world that the young American army was an effective fighting force, resulting in more interest in and support of the American cause.
First place was awarded to Cathryn Zeleny of Napa, CA, for her quilt titled Inevitable. Zeleny used hand-dyed fabric to create her interpretation of a valley surrounded by hills, as it might be seen from above. It is a visual metaphor for the surrender of Burgoyne and his troops at Saratoga.


The second place quilt, Prayers of My People, by Ann Horton of Redwood Valley, CA, contains 17 prayers embroidered into the body of the pieced Burgoyne Surrounded blocks. Using fabrics from India, Japan, Africa, Australia, Europe, North and South America and Bali, the quilt speaks of human’s sacred connection to their Creator. Karen Watts of Houston, TX, hand-appliquéd 380 circles to produce the third place winner, Mandala. Since the Burgoyne Surrounded block has circular movement, Watts took it one step further by using circles and ovals instead of squares and rectangles.


Fourth place winner was Elemental Changes: Color Play by Nadine Ruggles of Angelbachtal, Germany. Ruggles used the unique concept of Inchies, 1” x 1” embellished fabric art squares. More than 500 Inchies are attached to the quilt with Velcro® so that they can be arranged and rearranged in infinite displays of beautifully blended color. The fifth place winner was Bubbled Burgoyne by Julia Graber of Brooksville, MS. Graber achieved a bubbled look by using an irregular grid layout and by turning and flipping the blocks.

Thirteen Colonies- Stars of the Revolution by Mae Adkins, Rawson, OH


Saratoga Sunshine by Jean Biddick, Tucson, AZ


Shimmering Sight by Mary Kay Davis, Sunnyvale, CA


Batiks Beguile Burgoyne by Ann Feitelson, Montague, MA


Turning Point by  Joan Ferguson, Warrensburg, MO


Rose Trellis by Sandi Fruehling, Aurora, CO


Puzzled About History by Robin Gausebeck, Rockford, IL


Gentleman Johnny by Patricia Hobbs, Macomb, IL


Wildflowers by Barbara Holtzman, Holyoke, CO


Goyne Round In Circles by Chris Lynn Kirsch and Sharon Rotz, Watertown, WI


Saratoga Campfires by Ann L. Petersen, Aurora, CO


The Happiness in My Hands by Cathy Pilcher Sperry, West Chester, OH


Brilliant Blizzard by Mary Sue Suit and Judy Woodworth, Sidney, NE

A book featuring full-color photos of the 18 finalists and their award winning quilts, biographical information about each quilter in addition to tips, techniques and patterns will be published by the American Quilter’s Society and available for purchase at the Museum in March 2009. 


A book signing by the quilters will be held at the Museum on Friday, April 24, 1-3 p.m.


Quilters wishing to enter the 2010 New Quilts from an Old Favorite: Sunflower contest can request an entry form by sending an SASE to NQM, PO Box 1540, Paducah, KY 42002-1540 or visit the museum’s website at www.quiltmuseum.org. Upcoming themes are Orange Peel in 2011, Baskets in 2012 and Jacob’s Ladder in 2013.