Vermont Pine, State Historical Society of Iowa/The Quilt Index, c. 1901-1929. Made by Anna Hartley Kirk
This quilt is a vivid example of visual movement! When I look at it my eyes leap between the “spinning circle” with the small square centre and the “sailboats” balancing on the large square (“four corners of the world” maybe!!). Imagine this quilt without the borders to tame it!
There is a great variation on this design on Shelly Zegart’s website.
In the quilt above, “one of these things is not like the other!” But it still so belongs! Do you see it?
Happy Stitching!
Pine Tree, c. 1880-1890. Ardis and Robert James Collection, IQSC. Maker unknown.
The name of this one says it all … about the time of year and the season of celebration! Simply lovely!
We like short needle Christmas trees in our house. What about you? Do you prefer short or long needles on your Christmas tree?
Happy Stitching!
The past 45 years have seen 3 seminal moments in quilting:
The 1971 Whitney Museum exhibit “Abstract Design in American Quilts”:
“Nine Patch”, c. 1900-1920, Possibly made in New Jersey. Maker unknown. Jonathan Holstein Collection, International Quilt Study Center.
The first major quilt documentation undertaking in 1980, the Kentucky Quilt Project and subsequent show:
“Kentucky Sun” (family name for the quilt) c. 1880. Made by Nancy Miller Grider, Russell County, Kentucky. From: Kentucky Quilts: 1800-1900, The Kentucky Quilt Project, page 2. Photo courtesy The Kentucky Quilt Project.
And the 2002 Gee’s Bend Quilt exhibit at the Museum of Fine Art, Houston:
“Workcothes” Quilt with center medallion of strips. Made by Annie Mae Young, Gees’s Bend, Alabama, 1976. Photo courtesy The Kentucky Quilt Project.
Each of these moments changed how people viewed and what they thought about quilts.
“Why Quilts Matter: History, Art & Politics,” a nine part documentary, is another seminal moment.
This 2 dvd set, of all nine episodes, is available for you to view at home!
Stacy Hollander, Chief Curator and Director of Exhibitions at the American Folk Art Museum, comments in “Why Quilts Matter” that quiltmaking is an art form that is “one of the only absolutely unbroken chains of creative expression from the colonial period through the present … it is important to think about it, learn about it and understand it.”
“Why Quilts Matter” facilitates that process. Thought provoking, this documentary enriches our understanding of quilts, recognizes their important historical cultural role in America and lays the foundation for a continuing discourse about the significant cultural role of quilts today. Engaging quilters, collectors and scholars, of all ages and quilt genres, in an inclusive and compelling conversation, “Why Quilts Matter” will resonate with viewers from all countries. Most importantly I think it challenges us to think differently again about quilts. And as we reframe how we see quilts we will enrich our own creative path whether we are expressing ourselves by creating a quilt to share with others as a gift of love, a work that expresses a passion for a cause or a more political piece.
The medium of “Why Quilts Matter” and the internet’s power to disseminate information, means this discourse will inevitably be international in scope and impact, taking the conversation out of classrooms, conference halls and museums, and putting it in our homes, quilt groups and guilds as it validates our own passion for quilts. I am looking forward to the dialogue!
Quilts matter! Be part of the conversation!
Here’s how:
– Put the video on your must have gift list! A special holiday promotion, for FREE shipping (US and Canada) for the two-DVD set, a newly published companion Discussion Guide, and a DVD/Guide package, is available only through orders placed on the WQM website. Hurry, order by December 15th for Christmas delivery.
– Engage your guild! Tell them about the website special 40% discount on orders of four or more DVDs to quilt guilds.
– Read the blog! There’s a new post every Monday. Be sure to subscribe to it so you don’t miss a thing!
– Check out the “Why Quilts Matter” website, for lots of info about the documentary, trailers for each of the nine episodes, an image resource guide that identifies every image shown in the documentary, and much, much more.
– Spread the word about “Why Quilts Matter: History, Art & Politics” on your blog, with your friends, at your quilt shop. “Like” “Why Quilts Matter” and share it on Facebook. The more people talking about it, the better for all of us!
The profits from sales of the DVD, Discussion Guide, and DVD/Guide package are returned to The Kentucky Quilt Project to fund new educational resources for quilters and quilt scholars.
Here’s a preview from episode 1 of this nine-part documentary:
See you Thursday with another fabulous installment to the Twelve Quilts of Christmas!
Happy Stitching!
Indian Summer Variation, c. 1852, Kentucky Quilt Project/Quilt Index. Top made by Emerson, I.W.
I must be getting into the winter spirit, despite the name of this quilt, because I think these blocks look like snowflakes! This lovely light and airy design is like those big fluffy snowflakes you can catch on your tongue!
So far the snow that has fallen here has not stayed on the ground. What about where you are? Have you had a white winter wonderland yet?
Happy Stitching!
Crown of Thorns, c. 1850-1875. Made by Mrs. L.E. Borin. Winedale Quilt Collection, Briscoe Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin/The Quilt Index.
Even with two borders removed and rebound, this one is still a beauty! It sparkles and shines. Not clearly evident in this photo, there is some spectacular quilting and trapunto in the open areas.
What quilt design would like to make in green and white?
Happy Stitching!
