The Language of American Quilts
Little Gallery #3
I’ve always thought of quilting as a way to make something pleasing out of the fabrics you have. My first quilt was my best. I was in my 30’s and had a small stash of old clothes, a few patterned skirts, scraps from napkins and cotton curtains, everything in earth tones. I sold it for $60 at my first craft fair. Artists and crafters usually don’t earn much per hour of work! I still long for that quilt.
Later, with pen and watercolor, I explored American quilt patterns. I imagined women thinking and talking about their lives as they put together geometric designs that pleased them. For me, the traditional names of their quilt blocks easily fit into short sayings, like the patchworks they describe. Patchwords! Here are some of my favorites.
Finally, in case you’ve heard of the Bachelor’s Puzzle traditional American quilt block, here’s my interpretation!
Happy sewing!
My admiration for quilters is huge! My grandmother made quilts from silk ties--they are beautiful, but of course, delicate.
Quilts to me mean warmth and love. Like sitting on the front porch swing with a warm quilt wrapped around you for coziness on a cool mountain night.
When I visited my grandmother on weekends, we would have to get out of bed to turn over because she covered us with so many quilts. Haha