06.09.07
The Art of the Needle
As announced on the home page of our website, at this very moment, everyone has the opportunity to view 35 antique quilts in a traveling exhibit generated by the Shelburne Museum in Vermont. An exhibit called, “The Art of the Needle: Masterpiece Quilts from the Shelburne Museum,” will be featured at the National Heritage Museum in Lexington, MA from now until September 9, 2007.
At the time that this show of masterpiece quilts premiered in Vermont, a few years ago, we had the opportunity to visit the 100 Masterpiece Quilts on display. Subsequently, Henry Joyce, (the museum’s curator), put together a book titled, Art of the Needle: 100 Masterpiece Quilts from the Shelburne Museum, published by the Shelburne Museum in 2003.
If you cannot attend the exhibit in Lexington, and if you missed the one in Vermont, the book is the next best thing to being there. The photo images of the book are a virtual feast for the eyes. There are Chintz quilts, Crazy Quilts, Amish quilts, Chinoserie designs, pictorial quilts, wholecloth quilts, folk art style quilts and more…in other words, something to please everyone.
I remember standing in front of some of the quilts and barely being able to tear myself away. They are just riveting. So, if you love antique quilts, I urge you to attend the exhibit (admission and parking are free), or buy the book, or do both! You’ll be so glad you did!
By the way, the book has a photo of a “Childhood Scenes” quilt that is on the cover of Sandi Fox’s book, Small Endearments. I have purchased fabric to re-create this quilt, as I think it is simply adorable. Froncie Quinn of Hoopla Designs has facilitated that process by creating a pattern. Can’t wait to start!
Have a great day! See Quilter’s Muse Publications for more details.
Pat
