It’s a Good Day When a Letter Arrives from Germany
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
