Marcia Eygabroat (above) is an internationally recognized quilt artist. Discovering quilting in 1996, years after receiving her art degree, she found her passion. 

She created only three “traditional” quilts early in her career, choosing to pursue art quilting. They hang on a wall, to be viewed, as if a painting.  Her quilts are all original.  Each is made with commercial cotton quilt fabric.  Each one starts with a photograph that the artist herself took. The photo is then recreated with tiny bits of fabric that are “puzzle pieced” onto a base fabric.  There are many steps necessary to turn this into a quilt. .  A quilt by definition is “three layers held together by stitches”.  Once the top is completed, the batting and back are added.  Then it is usually several weeks to quilt the layers together.  Using a sewing machine, she pushes the fabric under the needle, making the thread draw a design. Threads are changed constantly to match the fabric in the quilt top.

When people first see Marcia’s work, from a distance they appear to be paintings, upon closer inspection they look like tapestries.  It is only when viewed close up, they realize it is a quilt.

Marcia has made many architectural pieces over the years. She has recently been creating portraits and still life quilts.   

Her quilts have been in many national shows.  She has been published in magazines and books.  Marcia has won several prestigious awards and had her quilts travel for years at a time to major venues. Art collectors throughout the country have purchased her unique creations. 

Marcia and her family lived in North Carolina for nineteen years, returning to her roots in upstate New York almost two years ago.  She belongs to numerous art organizations, both internationally and locally.

Marcia working in her studio.  

Locally Grown

44.75” x 32” 

I wanted a departure from my normal subject matter.

After leafing through many art quilt publications for some inspiration, I took some vegetables from the fridge to create a still life. Finding a red pepper, some Brussels sprouts and two strange looking squash, I put them on a pretty platter. I photographed them from all angles.  After finding the perfect photo, I tweaked it in the computer to make it “quilt able”.

This quilt is made from commercial cottons using my puzzle piecing method and heavily quilted. 

Beyond the Gate

41.5 “ x 55” 

This piece was inspired by a scene in Wilmington, North Carolina.  This is the last quilt I made from a photo in my former hometown.  The wrought iron and it’s scene beyond just had to be made into a quilt.

I love the way the lights and shadows play across the front of this stately home and the brick stairway.

Using commercial quilting cottons, I “puzzle piece” appliqued the entire creation. 

Blooming in Terracotta

18” x 22”

I must love flowers!  This small detailed quilt was inspired by a potted plant on my front porch.

Although it is a little quilt, it is intricately “puzzle pieced” and heavily quilted.

It is bordered to recreate the look of a mat and frame. 

Mom and Dad

34” x 26.5” 

I wanted to do a quilt of my father. It was a way for me to find some sort of closure after he passed away in January 2008.  I found there was no way to do a quilt of my dad without my mother in it also.  Together for almost 58 years, I could not separate them in fabric.

I used a snapshot I had taken of the two of them a few years ago at the Rochester airport as the basis for this quilt.  I wanted it to be a casual scene of the two of them. 

This piece is constructed of commercial cottons, using my puzzle piecing method.  It is heavily quilted with rayon and polyester threads.

Getting Ready

12.5 “ x 15”

Since moving back to the Finger Lakes region of New York State, I have been inspired by the surrounding area.  One of the famous inspirations nearby many wineries.

This small quilt is of a bunch of grapes almost ready to be harvested for wine.

Getting Ready is as intricate as my larger pieces with “puzzle piecing” and heavy quilting. 

Up-Close

13” x 15.5”

I love getting extremely close to an object for great detail.  This time, I focused in on the center of a flower.

Although a small quilt, it is intricately “puzzle pieced” and heavily quilted.

It is bordered to mimic a mat and frame. 

Darryl Abraham, Kathleen Armitage, David Barnet, Ben Bennett (Blue Heron Glassworks), Kurt & Lynda Carlson (Carlson Glassworks),  Becky Congdon, John Dodd Studio,  Bob Fladd,  Paul & Suzanne Frazer (Frazer Studios), Geroux Studios, Brent Gillette,  Albie Alliet (Grape Moments Studio),   Pat Halpen (Sky Path Design), Dottie Harrison,   Charlie Kingsley, Jeannette Klute, Jo Krajci (Me & My Shadows),  Stephanie Marshall,  Anne Schliffer,  Mark Stash,  Kala Stein,   Adam & Sarah Spector,  Carole Battle (The Studio at Falling Waters), 

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