{"id":1618926,"date":"2025-07-07T14:09:29","date_gmt":"2025-07-07T21:09:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/?p=1618926"},"modified":"2025-07-07T18:22:38","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T01:22:38","slug":"an-alliance-without-rules","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/journal\/an-alliance-without-rules\/","title":{"rendered":"An Alliance Without Rules"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

The Roanoke FiberArts Alliance likes to play fast and loose, shirking rules its members say they would only ignore.<\/span><\/p>

When the group decided in 2024 to organize its first pop-up quilt show, they did so in their own free-spirited way: a free event that piggybacked on a community yard sale. Their members\u2019 quilts hung from chain link fencing that surrounds tennis courts at Roanoke\u2019s Shrine Hill Park in the Grandin Village neighborhood.<\/span><\/p>

It was a blisteringly hot day in August that ended like many summer days in Virginia do: with a thunderstorm that had members packing their quilts up with minutes to spare. It was also a huge success for the Alliance. About 200 people turned out to view the group\u2019s art quilts, many of which incorporate raw-edge appliqu\u00e9 and mixed media\u2014and draw on folk art and abstract styles.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cI heard people walking around, \u2018Did you do this? And you did this, and somebody made that?\u2019\u201d Bonnie Scott, an Alliance member, recalled.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
(L-R) Kyoko Yamamura, Deborah Shealy, Judy Coffman, Donna J. Campbell, and Bonnie K. Scott.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

That\u2019s exactly the sort of response the Alliance was thrilled to hear. Founded in 2014 as a small group within Roanoke\u2019s Star Quilt Guild\u2014called “Starry Eyed” by Susan Kraterfield\u2014the Alliance struck out on their own around 2023 to form a small community of quilters who learn and build on their experiences and shared knowledge in a variety of fiber arts.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cI started the Alliance because I just wanted to get more inspiration from people and learn about other techniques,\u201d Susan said.<\/span><\/p>

The Alliance\u2019s members bring experiences in a laundry list of arts, crafts, and hobbies that influence their creativity. That list ranges from heirloom sewing, upholstering, fabric dyeing, glass making, knitting, crocheting, painting, organic gardening, and beyond. Each member complements the Alliance in their own way, and with the independent streak that runs through the group, everyone is free to explore.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Judy Coffman with her quilt entitled \"Matisse as an Art Quilter,\" inspired by Henri Matisse's 1907 painting, \"Bouquet.\"<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Kyoko Yamamura with her quilt inspired by a tree that grew in her parents yard, \"Camellia.\"<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\"Dog House Roof Reimagined\" by Bonnie K. Scott features folded schott cotton sewn to give the impression of a flower with greenery.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\u201cIt has changed the way I look at the world because you see something strange-looking\u2014a leaf\u2014and you go, \u2018I wonder what happens if you take that shape, and then, you make five of them,’\u201d Alliance member Judy Coffman said. And she continued, \u201cArchitecture has all of a sudden been really forefront in my mind, all the angles and the shapes. How would you make that angle if you were making a quilt?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The group charges no dues, has no officers or budget, and meets four times annually, with gatherings sprinkled throughout for events like fabric dyeing. Membership hovers around 12 people, with some more active than others, and is welcoming to all skill levels.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cWe are such a harmonious group,\u201d said member Arlene Blackburn, an art quilter, educator, and hand-dyed fabric maker whose works have been displayed across the globe. \u201cWe work well together. Everyone kind of plays off of each other.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Deborah Shealy, a relatively new quilter (she has been an heirloom sewist and has made memory quilts for friends and family), joined the group after moving to Roanoke from Georgia in 2016. She appreciates the encouragement she\u2019s found and has begun to dabble beyond patterns.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cThe women in the group are so creative and so willing to share what they know and their ideas and their work and teach,\u201d she said.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

That\u2019s a sentiment member Kyoko Yamamura shares. After about two years away from the group focusing on charity quilts, she was lured back by members who let her know how much she was missed. \u201cI\u2019m going to stick with this group forever,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>

Last year\u2019s pop-up featured dozens of quilts, showing off members\u2019 range of styles, interests, and quilting personalities.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Deborah Shealy with her quilt, \"Deaf Dogs Hear With Their Hearts,\" which was made as a blessing quilt for her dog, Maggie.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

A garlic bulb quilted by Kyoko\u00a0 was influenced by her huge backyard organic garden, her inspiration for \u201ceverything,\u201d she said. Turquoise Mason and Ball jars quilted over a background of hundreds of tiny squares made by Bonnie were inspired by her background making flamework jewelry out of the glass. Donna Campbell displayed her favorite quilt, which was inspired by a photo of her father, Spencer Smith, cradling her baby granddaughter, Alice Leftwich, and reading from a book of first words. <\/span>\u201cIt was just this compelling photograph of Dad. Old, wise, all that, and she’s just entranced by the end of the book,\u201d Donna said.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\"Forgotton Treasure\" by Bonnie K. Scott highlights the recycled antique blue mason jars which she uses in her one-of-a-kind jewelry.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Often inspired by her garden, Kyoko Yamamura's quilt, \"This is What I Hoped to Have This Summer\" portrays the perfect garlic bulb.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\"Teachable Moment\" by Donna J. Campbell was inspired by a photograph of Donna\u2019s 95-year-old father reading \u201cOne Hundred First Words\u201d to his 10-month old great-granddaughter.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

The Alliance is building on the success of last year\u2019s show with another planned for October 4, 2025, again at Roanoke\u2019s Shrine Hill Park. The group received $500 from the Roanoke Arts Commission to help with promotion.<\/span><\/p>

Leaning into this year\u2019s show, members planned a new challenge called Destination Virginia. It turns members\u2019 unique interpretations of the region, known for its mountains and outdoor recreation, into art quilts connected by a winding road that runs through and connects each. They will be displayed in October.<\/span><\/p>

Locations in the quilts, some of which hold special meaning for the maker, include Roanoke\u2019s Taubman Museum of Art, Black Dog Salvage (an antiques and architectural salvage shop), and Lake Spring Park, better known as the Salem Duck Pond.<\/span><\/p>

Susan quilted a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway, incorporating twine, paint, and other appliqu\u00e9 elements to make trees, a well-known mill, and other landmarks. As a student studying at the College of William and Mary\u2014more than 200 miles away in Williamsburg\u2014she visited the mountains, and her family vacationed at Shenandoah National Park, where the quilt series will end. \u201cThe Blue Ridge Parkway has always been sort of a symbol to me of Virginia,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Members of the Roanoke FiberArts Alliance.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Judy immediately gravitated to the neon Roanoke Star, a 75-year-old landmark that sits atop Mill Mountain\u2014more than 1,000 feet above the city\u2014and has become an icon for the region. She remembered her visits to the park as a little girl as \u201cmagical\u201d and has taken her grandchildren there. Judy\u2019s quilt, which includes animated appliqu\u00e9 animals, flowers, and a serpentine road all the way to the star, telegraphs its childhood wonder. <\/span>\u201cIt\u2019s just had so many memories to me,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>

Douglas Jackson, arts and culture coordinator for the city of Roanoke, attended the Alliance\u2019s pop-up last summer. He said he hopes this year\u2019s event inspires new and old quilters alike. <\/span>\u201cWe see the work they’re doing collectively as a great way, at a really accessible scale, to engage more people in quilting,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>

Alliance members said they want to expose the public to the idea that quilting doesn\u2019t have to mean perfect seams, while showing off what can be done with fabric and imagination.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

About the Author<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Courtney Mabeus-Brown has been a journalist for more than two decades and a quilter for about two years. She bought her first sewing machine during the COVID-19 pandemic, making bags and small home accessories before a friend got her hooked on quilting; she\u2019s now made three quilts, and there is no end in sight. Courtney lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and cat in an old 1880s home. Her award-winning journalism has appeared in The New York Times<\/i>, The Washington Post<\/i>, The Virginian-Pilot<\/i>, and many others, and her sewing work can be found on Instagram at @SundrySouthKing<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

About the Photographer<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Azuree Holloway has been photographing for Quiltfolk<\/em> since 2019 and has contributed to many other projects. Check out more of her work on her\u00a0website<\/a>\u00a0and her\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Click the image to preview or purchase Issue 35: Virginia! <\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Roanoke FiberArts Alliance is an eclectic group of art quilters who are unbounded by rules. The group uses their freedom to explore and learn together as well as from each member\u2019s experiences in a variety of arts, crafts and interests, and finding inspiration all around. The Alliance\u2019s first pop-up was such a success that they\u2019ve planned another, and they hope to show the public that quilting can be done without boundaries.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42273,"featured_media":1618929,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[232,235,85],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-1618926","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-interviews","category-off-the-pages","category-quilters"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nAn Alliance Without Rules - Quiltfolk<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/journal\/an-alliance-without-rules\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"An Alliance Without Rules - Quiltfolk\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Roanoke FiberArts Alliance is an eclectic group of art quilters who are unbounded by rules. The group uses their freedom to explore and learn together as well as from each member\u2019s experiences in a variety of arts, crafts and interests, and finding inspiration all around. The Alliance\u2019s first pop-up was such a success that they\u2019ve planned another, and they hope to show the public that quilting can be done without boundaries.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/journal\/an-alliance-without-rules\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Quiltfolk\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/quiltfolk\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-07-07T21:09:29+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-07-08T01:22:38+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/quiltfolk.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20250703114600\/8157_QF-35-VIRGINIA-ROANOKE-FIBER-ART-ALLIANCE-BY-AZUREE-HOLLOWAY.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1281\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Courtney Mabeus-Brown\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/journal\/an-alliance-without-rules\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/journal\/an-alliance-without-rules\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Courtney Mabeus-Brown\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/#\/schema\/person\/c68967bd59c833d859053eeb8dc817a5\"},\"headline\":\"An Alliance Without Rules\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-07-07T21:09:29+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-07-08T01:22:38+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/journal\/an-alliance-without-rules\/\"},\"wordCount\":1386,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/journal\/an-alliance-without-rules\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/quiltfolk.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20250703114600\/8157_QF-35-VIRGINIA-ROANOKE-FIBER-ART-ALLIANCE-BY-AZUREE-HOLLOWAY.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Interviews\",\"Off The Pages\",\"Quilters\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/journal\/an-alliance-without-rules\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/journal\/an-alliance-without-rules\/\",\"name\":\"An Alliance Without Rules - Quiltfolk\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/journal\/an-alliance-without-rules\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/journal\/an-alliance-without-rules\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/quiltfolk.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20250703114600\/8157_QF-35-VIRGINIA-ROANOKE-FIBER-ART-ALLIANCE-BY-AZUREE-HOLLOWAY.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-07-07T21:09:29+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-07-08T01:22:38+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/journal\/an-alliance-without-rules\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/journal\/an-alliance-without-rules\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/journal\/an-alliance-without-rules\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/quiltfolk.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20250703114600\/8157_QF-35-VIRGINIA-ROANOKE-FIBER-ART-ALLIANCE-BY-AZUREE-HOLLOWAY.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/quiltfolk.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20250703114600\/8157_QF-35-VIRGINIA-ROANOKE-FIBER-ART-ALLIANCE-BY-AZUREE-HOLLOWAY.jpg\",\"width\":1920,\"height\":1281,\"caption\":\"From left to right: Donna Campbell holding \u201cSister Act\u201d, Bonnie K. Scott holding \u201cE.A.C. \u2026Go With the Flow\u201d (2020), Kyoko Yamamura holding \u201cNew Year\u201d (2021), Judy Coffman holding \\\"Black Dog Salvage Architectural Challenge\\\" Quilt (2021), Deborah Shealy holding an untitled baby quilt (2000)\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/journal\/an-alliance-without-rules\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"An Alliance Without Rules\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/\",\"name\":\"Quiltfolk\",\"description\":\"Quilting Lifestyle Magazine\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Quiltfolk\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Qf-icon-1000x1000-1.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Qf-icon-1000x1000-1.png\",\"width\":1000,\"height\":1000,\"caption\":\"Quiltfolk\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/quiltfolk\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/quiltfolk\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/Quiltfolk\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/#\/schema\/person\/c68967bd59c833d859053eeb8dc817a5\",\"name\":\"Courtney Mabeus-Brown\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ef757658ea15dad1787dc5861c11453dd27df67c7e1c0605067bedd2da3d87d7?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ef757658ea15dad1787dc5861c11453dd27df67c7e1c0605067bedd2da3d87d7?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Courtney Mabeus-Brown\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"An Alliance Without Rules - Quiltfolk","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/journal\/an-alliance-without-rules\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"An Alliance Without Rules - Quiltfolk","og_description":"The Roanoke FiberArts Alliance is an eclectic group of art quilters who are unbounded by rules. The group uses their freedom to explore and learn together as well as from each member\u2019s experiences in a variety of arts, crafts and interests, and finding inspiration all around. The Alliance\u2019s first pop-up was such a success that they\u2019ve planned another, and they hope to show the public that quilting can be done without boundaries.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/journal\/an-alliance-without-rules\/","og_site_name":"Quiltfolk","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/quiltfolk","article_published_time":"2025-07-07T21:09:29+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-07-08T01:22:38+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1920,"height":1281,"url":"https:\/\/quiltfolk.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20250703114600\/8157_QF-35-VIRGINIA-ROANOKE-FIBER-ART-ALLIANCE-BY-AZUREE-HOLLOWAY.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Courtney Mabeus-Brown","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/journal\/an-alliance-without-rules\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/journal\/an-alliance-without-rules\/"},"author":{"name":"Courtney Mabeus-Brown","@id":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/#\/schema\/person\/c68967bd59c833d859053eeb8dc817a5"},"headline":"An Alliance Without Rules","datePublished":"2025-07-07T21:09:29+00:00","dateModified":"2025-07-08T01:22:38+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/journal\/an-alliance-without-rules\/"},"wordCount":1386,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/journal\/an-alliance-without-rules\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/quiltfolk.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20250703114600\/8157_QF-35-VIRGINIA-ROANOKE-FIBER-ART-ALLIANCE-BY-AZUREE-HOLLOWAY.jpg","articleSection":["Interviews","Off The Pages","Quilters"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/journal\/an-alliance-without-rules\/","url":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/journal\/an-alliance-without-rules\/","name":"An Alliance Without Rules - Quiltfolk","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/journal\/an-alliance-without-rules\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/journal\/an-alliance-without-rules\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/quiltfolk.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20250703114600\/8157_QF-35-VIRGINIA-ROANOKE-FIBER-ART-ALLIANCE-BY-AZUREE-HOLLOWAY.jpg","datePublished":"2025-07-07T21:09:29+00:00","dateModified":"2025-07-08T01:22:38+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/journal\/an-alliance-without-rules\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/journal\/an-alliance-without-rules\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/journal\/an-alliance-without-rules\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/quiltfolk.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20250703114600\/8157_QF-35-VIRGINIA-ROANOKE-FIBER-ART-ALLIANCE-BY-AZUREE-HOLLOWAY.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/quiltfolk.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/20250703114600\/8157_QF-35-VIRGINIA-ROANOKE-FIBER-ART-ALLIANCE-BY-AZUREE-HOLLOWAY.jpg","width":1920,"height":1281,"caption":"From left to right: Donna Campbell holding \u201cSister Act\u201d, Bonnie K. Scott holding \u201cE.A.C. \u2026Go With the Flow\u201d (2020), Kyoko Yamamura holding \u201cNew Year\u201d (2021), Judy Coffman holding \"Black Dog Salvage Architectural Challenge\" Quilt (2021), Deborah Shealy holding an untitled baby quilt (2000)"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/journal\/an-alliance-without-rules\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"An Alliance Without Rules"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/","name":"Quiltfolk","description":"Quilting Lifestyle Magazine","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/#organization","name":"Quiltfolk","url":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Qf-icon-1000x1000-1.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Qf-icon-1000x1000-1.png","width":1000,"height":1000,"caption":"Quiltfolk"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/quiltfolk","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/quiltfolk","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/Quiltfolk"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/#\/schema\/person\/c68967bd59c833d859053eeb8dc817a5","name":"Courtney Mabeus-Brown","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ef757658ea15dad1787dc5861c11453dd27df67c7e1c0605067bedd2da3d87d7?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ef757658ea15dad1787dc5861c11453dd27df67c7e1c0605067bedd2da3d87d7?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Courtney Mabeus-Brown"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1618926","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/42273"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1618926"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1618926\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1618929"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1618926"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1618926"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1618926"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quiltfolk.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=1618926"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}