My last article was about “Inspiration”. This is the logical follow-up.
A lot of inspiration is coming from Art and Quilt books. And not only the pattern books we see the most in quilt or book stores (which I am also fond of) but also catalogues of Quilt and Art exhibitions are worth watching.
Last September, in Ste.-Marie-aux-Mines, there was a selection of the travelling exhibition of “Quilt National 2009” – a lot of beautiful and inspiring quilts from leading artists, especially from American quilters/textile artists. I’ve made a lot of pictures, it’s so nice when you may take photos, and later I had the opportunity to buy the catalogue of the exhibition and that’s even nicer. A book – you can put aside on the table, you can pick it up to watch the pictures and to read how a project is made and much much more. And all that you wouldn’t know if you had only taken pictures.
When you will see the book in your quilt store – look into it – maybe it will inspire you too? (I have also at the same time bought the “Quilt National 2011” book).
I would like especially to mention in the 2009 edition the judges' comments provided by Sue Benner and Katie Pasquini Masopust. Both had a wonderful exhibition last September in France. I am sure you have read something about it in previous SEWN-blogs.
A lot of traditional quilts are made with a patchwork top. Europe as well has a long history of quilts. Textile historian An Moonen has written two beautiful books about it, her last book “Geschiedenis van de Nederlandse Quilt” is a great review book and also a fine source of information. You may find more information on her website www.antiquetextile.info
Books, books, books………, the quilt store I visit the most has thankfully often the latest books.
Books, books, books…they are maybe, next to patchwork and quilting on my favourite sewing machine, my biggest passion - and still I never copy anything.
At the moment I am finishing a “green” quilt. Green because it’s the main colour, green also because of the source of inspiration, the wonderful Alsatian nature. But green as well because it’s made of and with pieces of a different and older work. I used special commercial batiks and hand dyed fabrics. The green fabric as well as the batting are new. The backing was waiting in my closet to be used.
Now let's talk about the backing: it is always my concern that a beautiful quilt should have a nice and fitting backing. If possible an assorted colour but most of all of good quality. Frequently, a wonderful top made with beautiful and often expensive fabrics has a backing made with an old sheet, but maybe that’s a typical Dutch habit! If you don’t want to make the backing “too expensive”, you can use the remain fabrics of the front mixing them with an “ugly” fabric you have in your private stock as long as it's of good quality
One day I read or heard that many quilters are using mainly– “to try” or at workshops – not very beautiful fabrics because they keep the best ones for later, for whenever they will make “the” quilt/technic/design or …………..the “heirloom” quilt!
What will be the subject next time? I really don’t know yet, but from now on I’m going to think about it.
See you in a few weeks!
Ina Klugt Berghuis