quiltersmuse.com Blog

Letter to the Editor

Ma’am–

I found your article, “The Value of your Quilt,” to be of interest. However, I could not help but notice that it had a decided leaning toward women as quilters. You did make a few references to the masculine pronoun, and I was happy for that as a male quilter.

My question is why aren’t male quilters featured equally with female quilters? Granted there is the sheer historical weight of quilting being part of a woman’s domestic duty, but this is the 21st century and the times have changed.

I quilt simply because it allows me to sit quietly and work creatively without needing a lot of specialty equipment or dedicated space. I also quilt to make a contribution to my world, explore the past, and leave something behind that will potentially outlive me.

As a new quilter, I have yet to develop my own style–my first quilt being an art piece fueled by a trip to Ireland and my second quilt (in progress) of being a chance to develop traditional technique and skill–which was somewhat lacking from my first attempt at quilting. I have one more planned for a gift and I figure that by then, I should have a handle on my technique and skill set enough to develop my own artistry with the medium.

It’s hard for me to relate to other quilters because of the great gender divide. I am sure I could learn from them and I do need help with some things, but its extremely awkward because to some extent, I really am the odd man out–literally. Surely there has to be more male quilters out there than just me.

I am a male. And I quilter.

Rick Danner
Pensacola, FL

PS–I am attaching some pictures of my work in case you are interested as to what male quilters can do.

Dear Rick,

You are definitely not alone. You just have not been around the quilt world long enough to realize that many men quilt. Some are quilt artists. Others are involved in a more general way with various aspects of the quilt industry. Some are museum professionals, show organizers, quilt appraisers, book or magazine writers and editors, television producers, fabric designers, long-arm quilters and quilt judges, or who own companies that manufacture fabrics …

Names that come to mind, off the top of my head, are men such as Joe Cunningham, Ricky Tims, John Flynn, Donald Beld, Alan Kelchner, Tristan Blakeman, Shawn Quinlan, Mark Lipinski, Gerald Roy, Richard Cleveland, Jack Braunstein, Kevin Key, Matt Sparrow, Robert Shaw, Rod Kiracofe, the Mancuso Brothers, Russell Moline, Douglas Eagleson, Alex Veronelli, and many other men who continue to make significant contributions to the world of quilting.

Welcome! There is room for quilters of both genders, as well as all nationalities and colors. Creativity is a wonderful thing and is not located just within the circles of women who traditionally, as you say, have taken on family “sewing” as a responsibility. Quilting as a creative outlet goes far beyond “patchwork,” as your own work proves.

You are off to a great start! If you’d like the support of other male quilters, think about joining the Quilt Art list online, or connecting with other quilters on Facebook. Your work is obviously meaningful to you and is very relaxing, as well as expressive.

Thank you for your note and for sharing photos of your beautiful quilts. I will be more careful with my pronouns in the future, because quilting is truly an all-encompassing pursuit that I am happy to see enjoyed by both men and women. I hope you will share more quilt photos with us, in the future. By the way, if you can spare any photos of Ireland, I’d love to feature those, too. Doesn’t look like I will ever be able to go to the land of my ancestors.

Best,

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

This morning, a letter arrived from Germany from a friend I have never met, yet have known since the early 1990s. I have Quilter’s Newsletter magazine to thank for that connection. You see, they used to run a column by which quilters could write to others who were seeking penpals. I wrote to Tamara Shpolyanska, who has since been awarded the title of “Master Quilter” by the International Quilters Association (IQA). In the meantime, I was also awarded the title of “Master Craftsman in Quilting” by the Embroiderers Guild of America.

Tamara, now a grandmother as am I, is a prolific quilt artist. Her letters often contain photos of her latest quilt and today’s letter was no exception. She is from Ukraine originally, and has lived in Germany for some years now, instructing a group of women in quilting, at a local church. She reports having had the chance to be a tour leader to Paris in June. She is working on a book that she will illustrate and it includes photos and information about her friends and family, she reports.

“Der Herbst,” a colorful wall quilt that measures 49″ x 51″ was made for her son’s birthday. He turned 33 this year, and so, is close in age to my own son. The title of the quilt means “The Autumn,” in German.

I have kept all of her letters, and her work is included in my book, Redwork Embroidery and Needlework Traditions in Europe and America, a popular book that is out of print, at the moment.

All of these years we have kept in touch and I have felt blessed by her friendship, in spite of being miles and cultures apart. I thought you would enjoy knowing a little about her.

Best,

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

Your opinion is needed as to whether or not the guide I wrote for eBay users is helpful. To vote, visit “Buying A Quilt Online.”

Alternately, copy and paste this link into your browser:

http://reviews.ebay.com/Buying-a-Quilt-online_W0QQugidZ10000000013287059

Thanks for your feedback.

Patricia Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications

For those who rely on my blog to announce what is new on our website, let me tell you that I posted an article about “Hankies: A Photo Essay,” today.

I just finished writing a guide for eBay. The topic is about what to think about when purchasing textiles and quilts online. After it is reviewed, the essay will be published (in a few hours, they said). It is now 9:52 p.m., Sunday evening, August 30, 2009.

Currently, we are the sole purveyors (and creators) of the CD that details the life and times of Ellen Emeline Hardy Webster, a Franklin, NH quilt historian of the 1930s who constructed more than 200 images on what she called quilt charts. The e-book that I wrote is based on research and oral interviews with people who knew her, meetings with family members, family photos, her diary and letters, and photos and transcriptions I did of the charts. It is an amazing compilation of materials in a comprehensive biography that provides information about her writings, her associates, and her many activities. See ordering details on the Products Available page, a link that is also available from the front page of our website, in several places.

Ronald Collins, an historian who lives in Ellen Webster’s home town, has given a few brief mentions of her in his latest book, A History of Hebron, New Hampshire: The First Two Hundred Years. He based his book on her 1920s writing called, “Recollections.” That small but detailed work was revisited and parts of it reprinted in Hebron’s Bicentennial year. Ron has added in new photos, such as the beautiful one on the book’s cover.

Ellen Webster was very active in her hometown and its people held a special place in her heart. She was invited to give a speech in Hebron on Old Home Day, as detailed in my book that is published as a pdf on CD, and plays on any computer.

Although I have seen “page proofs” of my next “Pieces of the Past” column for The Quilter magazine, I can’t wait to see the next issue (November cover) due to be distributed very soon. My article, with Jim’s photos, is titled, “Three Centuries of Decorative Pillow Making.” I feel it is a charming article and that the images are very colorful and attractive.

Finally, I am waiting to see if any photos arrive this week with examples of Adult Bibs. I have created a pattern to make one for myself, having given away another that I made. I hope that someone else has put their creative juices to work and has come up with a design or two. Please send any photos to: pat@quiltersmuse.com

Have a great week!

Patricia Cummings

Yesterday, I watched the ceremonies that surrounded the creation of closure for the life of Senator Edward “Teddy” Moore Kennedy. In thinking about his life and its importance to others, the fact that he was a “Dad” stands out above others. Anyone can be a “father,” but it takes a real man, with values and substance, to be a “Dad.”

His sons, Ted Jr. and Patrick, gave speeches testifying that their father was there for them, when they were young, supporting them and teaching them life’s lessons, even when the going got rough. Ted lost a leg to cancer and Patrick had chronic asthma. Their “Dad” was there at the times that counted the most: when they were ill, struggling, or when they needed reassurance. He was there at Mission Church in Roxbury, to pray daily, when his daughter was recovering from lung cancer. She was present at the service and was looking well.

Their stories remind me of a book for children that I have always enjoyed:

Coincidentally, yesterday was August 29, the same day that my own father died, in 1974. He had been there for me, all of my life. Just like Ted Kennedy, John Edward Grace instilled in me the thought that I could do anything. A frail, undernourished and sickly child, I went on to ride horses, learn to swim and teach swimming, graduate from the university, study in Spain, and be the certified school teacher that my “Dad” always had encouraged me to be.

In a sense, watching the funeral proceedings on television yesterday was a sort of homecoming. The Catholic Mass inculcates the root values with which I was brought up. Even the lingering Irish accent on the lips of one of the priests created joy in my heart. As an extension of my own Irish heritage, the “Celebration of Life” ceremony was very much in keeping with my own thoughts about life and the hereafter.

Few people will get as much attention, in death, as “Ted,” nor the sincere good wishes of an appreciative public, all witnesses to his life. Any secrets of his misbehavior surrounding have now gone to the grave. Perhaps, this goes to prove the Senator’s thought that “Redemption” is possible, after all, and not just with God, but with the public at large. Good things were remembered and shared: how he went out of his way to help others, how he loved to sing and joke and sail, and what a loving family man he truly had become.

We, by nature, are an imperfect people. Good thing that none of us have to be perfect to be loved. Senator Kennedy was loved by many, as witnessed by yesterday’s turnout and tributes. Now, he is placed at rest, with honor. The person who attempts to fill his shoes in the Senate shall have a mighty task at hand. The sacrifices of the Kennedy family have been incalculable. On the “hill,” I suspect that it will not be “business as usual,” … for a very long time. I only wish he’d have been present to hear the accolades.

Be sure to view an extraordinary edition of “Meet the Press” in which David Gregory interview Maria Shriver and others important to Senator Kennedy. Taped on August 30, 2009.

Patricia L. Grace Cummings
Quilter’s Muse Publications