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LaConner Quilt Museum |
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703 South Second Street |
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LaConner, WA 98257 |
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(360) 466-4288 |
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March 21 thru May 20, 2001 |
TRADITION AND BEYOND
Curated by Ellen Koehn
When quilting was done to keep body and soul warm, make good use of scraps and leftovers, and the concept of "idle hands are the devil's workshop" was common, women still found a way to turn the work into art, community, and legacy. They may not have thought about quilting in those terms, but the results are obvious to anyone who reads the journals, reviews the work, and recognizes the historical value of these "humble bedcovers".
Quilters today are still taken with the patterns passed down from their grandmothers. Today's women rarely have to worry about idle hands, but they still take satisfaction in fine needlework, creative expression, and warm covers. They have also taken advantage of new tools, everything from the rotary cutter - no more templates - to sewing machines that do everything from embroidery to blind hemstitching, and more. Lest we forget however, in the diaries and journals of pioneer women, reference is made to "trying out the new sewing machine at the church" and vows "I never mean to sew by hand any more if I can help it". Those women were interested in new tools to make their work easier and faster too.
Names for quilt blocks came from the experience of the times, Texas Lone Star, Churn Dash, Arkansas Traveler, and Rail Fence, to name a few. While still seen at today's quilt shows, the viewer will also see quilts of quite a different flavor, Floral Phantasma, Rain Forest, Mullein, and Ascension to Pleiades. These quilts may not be made with blocks; as original pieces, their design/pattern are not usually "passed on". Not all quilts are made for the bed any more. They are seen on walls, in frames, and in corporate offices.
It is true, today's quilter often goes beyond the traditional. We believe, however, that she is creating new traditions, even as she makes good use of those scraps, and keeps body and soul warm.
This group of seven artists all started their careers as traditional quilters. The things they have in common with previous generations of quilters are their love of fabric, dexterity with needle and thread, and a creative soul. An important aspect of quilting is that it provides us a lifetime passion, an opportunity to continually explore new ideas, techniques, and skills
Our featured artists are, in alphabetical order:
Debi Harney-Bommersbach - Puyallup, WA
For more
information, please email: ellen@ellenkoehn.com