Carrefour Show 2024 : un marché d'inspiration
- 04/09/2025
Par Elizabeth Eastmond
Quilteuse, blogueuse
OPQuilt.com
One of the unique aspects of the Carrefour Show is the variety of ideas not seen in shows in the United States. This is a bit of an understatement, as the premise for the USA shows is a different one from the European Show: those in Ameria gather from one country, with embellishments from other countries, as if they were a spice. But in the Val d’Argent, where the show is held, the variety of contributions from all these different countries in Europe is the main dish — the main event IS the variety of quilts, of viewpoints, of technique, of shopping, and of the way their heritage shapes their quilt making.
This show always has a main competition, announced well in advance. The size is uniform in these entries, and as the rules state, only 30 of the many entries will be accepted. They must be in keeping with the announced theme and not exhibited anywhere else. This makes this show unique, and something to anticipate. The contest quilts I saw in an earlier show, I later saw in several shows in the USA and at art museums around the United States. But I first saw them at Carrefour. This is one of my favorite parts of the meeting. But not my only favorite!
I love going to the Guild Presentations in the various villages that host Carrefour, where I encounter a meeting of the patchwork minds of the world. I have several pins from these guilds (which I have worn to my own guild here in the United States), and have had many interesting conversations with their representatives, who kindly answer my questions and give me perspective on quilting in their own country.
This past year, in 2024, the exhibits that really stayed with me were:
- Connected in Red (Quiltersgilde),
- The Power of Quilts(Quilt en Rêve ),
- and the Round Bobbin Invitational Challenge(PatCHquilt), among others.
The organizers of Carrefour really bring a banquet of ideas for the attendees to enjoy, and it’s really hard to choose a favorite.
This variety is not only in the quilt exhibits, but also in the Vendor Mall. Several years ago, the first year I was there, I purchased a small bracelet, a colorful scarf, buttons and other small items from France, Spain, and Germany. This past year, I purchased more treasures, again from all over Europe and including France. I would not see any of these things in the States (and happily they all fit in the suitcase to go home). I am always struck by the international offerings, which allow me to see another side of this quilt world.
I appreciate the time and efforts the organizers go to in bringing different well-known quilters from around the world and setting up a venue to see them and their quilts. This past year (2024), I was amazed by the intricate small quilts from Sarah Luise Kaminski’s art quilts and Carmen Netto’s quilts, both artists from Brazil. Victoria Findlay Wolfe was also there with her recent artworks, but the exhibit from 2017, where I was first introduced to Gabrielle Paquin’s creations still stands out in my memory.
I have other international quilt shows that I am interested in, and certainly, every time you can leave what is familiar and encounter the new, it enhances and enlivens your creativity. I will be there this fall at the Thirtieth Show and hope to see you there!
If you enjoyed this article, feel free to read more about Carrefour in Elizabeth’s dedicated blog posts.
Behind this article :
Elizabeth Eastmond
Quilter, designer & blogger
Elizabeth Eastmond, once a professor at a small local college, is now a full-time quilter and sewist. She and her husband like to travel, and have visited Europe many times. She graduated with college degrees in Clothing and Construction, and an Undergraduate (BS) and a Graduate degree (MFA) in Creative Writing.
Since she has been quilting for several decades — making over 300 quilts — she has mastered many skills: appliqué, embroidery, wool work, piecing, free-motion quilting, mid-size machine quilting, hand-stitching, English Paper-Piecing, modern quilting, and foundation and freezer paper-piecing. In other words, she has a multi-skill approach to quilts. She designs and sells her own patterns online.
She has four children, twelve grandchildren, and an amazing husband who will hold her quilts for photos. She loves to design patterns, making some available for free on her blog, as well as selling them online. Elizabeth loves going to quilt shows, and likes to laugh. Her popular blog OPQuilt.com, has been online for 18 years and she writes every post herself on what is current, what is new and old, as well as presenting some perspectives on life and creativity.
But most of all, she hopes to write something you’d like to read.