quiltersmuse.com Blog

Today, I was very pleased to receive the Renee Award from Gayle Pritchard, artist, book author, and curator, from Ohio. I am honored at this attention.

Be sure to read Gayle’s blog, “Uncommon Threads,” at: http://gaylepritchard.blogspot.com/ and visit her website:
http://www.gaylepritchardart.com

Gayle is currently working on a book about the gifted fiber artist, Susan Shie.

I am pleased that Gayle is a regular reader of the offerings on this blog, as well as our website. Thank you, Gayle.

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

On Facebook, there is an amusing application called, “Fling Monkey Pooh.” When I first heard of this, I thought that the person had gone to a zoo nearby, in order to collect the real stuff. Flinging that might be a little more satisfying than a mere computer exercise.

We all have people in our lives to whom we would like to throw bird droppings, meadow muffins, or other toxic waste. I will not bother to name the possible categories of disliked individuals. We all have a few folks whom we know, or have known in the past, who just plain irritate us, no matter how sweet a disposition we may strive to have.

Take stupid people. I mean, TAKE them! …

However, every time I get frustrated with a truly “limited” person, I just have to say, “God forgive him or her.” He made folks who are dumber than dumb, and He must have known what he was doing.

Holy Smoke, without stupid people, the gifted individuals of the world could not shine, or set an example, or contribute to known information by way of new discoveries.

Yes, on a continuum of intelligence ratings, society needs a few “challenged” people. They keep some of us humble, when our attempts to reason with them, or explain to them, are met with stubborn ignorance.

So, here’s a toast to all the really dumb clods of the world. It would not be nice to fling monkey pooh at them, although it sometimes is a temptation.

Yours,

Patricia Cummings in New Hampshire, pondering the world, as usual.
Quilter’s Muse Publications

When I was teaching quilting at Community Education, one student brought in a 1930s Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilt top. She was taking my Hand Quilting class for beginners, with the idea of making her late grandmother’s quilt top into a quilt. I thought that was a capital idea and encouraged her to do so. A year or two later, I saw the quilt hanging in a local show, and was proud to know that I had encouraged her to finish her grandmother’s work.

However, I have a few other theories that may surprise you. Some collectors collect only quilt tops. There are good reasons. For one thing, they are less bulky to store (although they are more easily wrinkled). Usually, they are clean because they have never been used. They are often less expensive to purchase.

If you are a quilter, you are probably finding more joy in creating your own new quilts, with new fabrics. At the same time, I fully understand how wonderful it must have felt for my student to have completed her grandmother’s quilt.

Having a finished quilt has its merits. It may be less likely to be discarded by the unknowing or uncaring people who clean out your home, when you are gone. Sorry for the dreary thought, but we can’t keep custody of our quilts, forever.

Some old quilt tops in my collection, that were made in other centuries are so wonky, they could never be finished into anything. The edges are uneven, nothing squares up, there is a bulge in the center, etc., or in the meantime, it has been visited by excreting insects or animals, or has been chewed. We keep items for various reasons. Sometimes, I will buy a quilt because I want to re-create its design. I don’t care about the batting sticking out of it, or blood stains. It is totally an exercise in recycling the best of what was, or could have been.

I would have been so happy to have had a grandmother who left unfinished work from any of the NeedleArts. It would be a pleasure to finish that work.

We humans are a motley bunch. We never know when or where Inspiration will find us. With so many quilt tops showing up on eBay, they would probably make good practice pieces for people who are learning to do long arm quilting. I leave you with these thoughts, as well as an advertisement for a new book that looks interesting.

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publication

Kit quilts were quite popular during the twentieth century. Here is an example of an unfinished kit quilt.

This is “Quilt No. 7352.” I do not know the kit maker. This one came with printed pieces of fabric to cut out to appliqué. Here is a close-up:

A friend sent me this kit awhile ago, and after working on it some, I decided that I have so many other things to do in this lifetime, I would never finish it. I decided to pass it along to someone who would appreciate it.

A kit with Quadriga cloth is responsible for the wonderful green and white quilts of which I have seen several finished examples. The story of this quilt is told in this file on my website.

Not too long ago, Rosie Werner wrote a lengthy article, about kit quilts, for Blanket Statements, a publication of the American Quilt Study Group. I have not yet had time to sit down and totally read the article, but plan to do so in the near future.

Was this made from a kit? This quilt shows up at many quilt shows! Here an appreciative gentleman examines the hand quilting.

I can bet that a lot of quilters began quilting by buying a quilt kit. There is one remarkable appliqué quilt that represents “The Tree of Life.” I believe that was sold as a kit, and it has shown up in a number of quilt shows I have attended, particularly in the Vermont area.

If you have worked on a kit quilt or finished one, or know of someone who has, we’d love to hear your story. Write to: pat@quiltersmuse.com

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

For some time now, I have been fascinated with the history and ways of the Hmong people, many of whom have relocated to places within the United States since the end of the Vietnam War. In May 2009, the July issue of The Quilter magazine will feature the first of a series of articles I have written about the Hmong and their needlework. (Remember, the “H” in Hmong is silent, so please say, “mung.”) I have read a number of books about these people who are described as “fiercely independent.” I love their textiles and I am intrigued by their belief systems, faith manifestations, and folk legends.

I fell in love with this antique Hmong baby carrier made in Thailand. The bright colors attracted me, and the needlework, in person, is even more enchanting than any photo. The other side of the baby carrier is very drab in color, well-worn, and was washed often. Before selling a baby carrier, the straps are cut, according to custom. One can truly believe that Hmong women do embroider during every free moment. How else would someone get that much embroidery done?

Hmong people think that children are precious gifts and act accordingly. Mothers want their babies close to them, at all times, so they carry them on their backs. This particular baby carrier is not included in the articles I have prepared for The Quilter, mainly because it did not arrive in time, from Thailand, to be photographed. I hope this photo is a bit of a teaser for you, and that you will want to read the articles when they come out in the July and September issues (available in May and July, respectively).

I love to learn and am always seeking new venues, whether it is through taking a course, reading a book, watching a video, chatting with others, or visiting a museum. There are so many learning opportunities out there. Some of them cost almost nothing, or nothing … like my website and blog! See my current article, “Hmong Textile Art.” Enjoy!

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications