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
