Truly Hand-made Quilts
75For the love of the old fashioned quilts!
Over the years I've dabbled in most types of art-forms from watercolor painting to pottery to silver-smithing. I'm the kind who has a project on the go for all occasions. While watching TV downstairs I'm just finishing a knitted sweater, upstairs in my work room beside the audio books shelf a crochet throw is only half done. But I find that none of my handy-work seems to be as versatile as quilting. You see while traveling you can hand-piece quilt patches by the dozens with only a spool of thread, a couple of needles, a thimble and a small pair of snips as equipment. The whole shah-bang fits into a small tote bag that even on a crowded train is not bulky and won't skewer anyone like my knitting needles could and have done. On my last two hour train trip to my daughters I started to hand-piece crazy quilt 8X8 patches for a queen size quilt that I'm naming symphony in blue. If the pieces are cut and pinned onto the background base the hand sewing goes really easy and fast. Once the squares are sewn you can then work on the embroidery along each seam. I like to only use one type of embroidery stitch per seam, per square.That makes for a nice variety on each quilt.
Let's get down to making an old-fashioned truly hand made quilt. To do that we need to determine what type of quilt we want to build. There are just so many patterns and methods.
Some quilters design and make their quilts the easy flowy way... Using their imagination to bring out free-form movement from pieces of flat fabric and sometimes let the texture of the fabric do most of the talking. Example: crazy quilting in three of the above pictures.
1)The blue crazy quilt is hand pieced from a big slew of fabrics that the customers collected from different occassions and phases in her life.
2) The crazy quilted close up in green is a table cover that the customer has asked to incorporate embroidered and crochet embellishments and ivory colored seed beads.
3) Is a evening bag in a monochromatic black where all the individual chunks of fabrics have interesting texture. (that is by far my favorite way of crazy quilting)
Then there are the quilts that need to be accurate in their design, their cutting and their sewing...exact to the fraction of a millimeter to bring out their beauty.
You could call it an exact science.
Every piece has to fit in just so, one way, one position only. (sounds like a jigsaw puzzle doesn't it)
When making this type of quilt there is no room for playful disregard of the rules. Accuracy rules. Example: Lone Star.
There is an exebition in the planning for the end of May 2010 in Toronto that will only accept 'One-of-a-kind-truly-hand-made-articles'. All items submitted have to be made using pre-machine methodology.
Quilts are going to be one of the heavier attended categories. There will be some of the top names in quilt-making in attendense.
Comments
what a beautiful art works. zuzsy you are great.
sukkran
I learned a lot from this hub! Wish I could make a quilt. Maybe someday...I do collect them, though, and love having them on all the beds in my house. Happy holidays!
I have just made the squares in quiltting. I am making a quilt for my daughter's newborn son. I am still in the process of devising it. I wanted to make quares, but then again I would like to make it a scene of a sailboat on the ocean. I am hand-embroidering his birth information and name on his quilt. This wil be the first time that I make a quilt with a scene and am kind of overwhelemd at starting it. I am making it from all the peices that I have left over from all the flannel and non-flannel ctrib sheets and bassinette cover that I made for her at her babyshower.
I quilt also and go to classes but I never seem to get anything finished. Love your quilts..Went on a quilt outing in July with 10 ladies it was fun. Stayed the week-end in an old farm house.
Reminds me of the quilt m grandma made me as a kid, I still have it around somewhere. Memories...
something weird happened here there is an extra comment capsule...Oh well better two then none I guess.
Your quilts are AMAZING! That is one skill I definitely haven't mastered yet :)
foodstarage! Thanks for taking a look and for commenting. Some times a full sized quilt can feel everwhelming so I always suggest to my students to start off with a small project and by the time that that is finished, lo-and behold the quilting bug had time to really sink its teeth in. From then on in it will be more a problem to get the quilter away from the quilt then the other way around.
kindest regards Zsuzsy
Hey Zsuzsy! I love your quilts and admire them from afar, sadly. I have the desire to have made a quilt but not to do the work involved in actually MAKING one, haha. We have this quilt museum in Golden, Colorado that has monthly displays of unique themed quilts, from modern art quilts like the one you have above, to historic quilts like slave code quilts- which are disputed in this book, Facts & Fabrications: Unraveling the History of Quilts & SlaverY: : 9 Projects, 20 Blocks, First-person Accounts, by Barbara Brackman. I admire anyone who takes time to play with color in fabric. Me, I play with color in photographs patched together with copy in my self published books, lol!
Story, it's all a creative form of art. Your are indeed a bonafide artiste. I've always been into photography... or ANYTHING artistic, for that matter. When looking at (or listening to, or reading) the art, one can see much of the artiste.
This is so weird that there are two trains of comments going... the hub-gremlins must have been boozing it up... probably having their Christmas party
Storyteller as far as I'm concerned art is art. It really doesn't matter how you put your talents to use. If it's painting, drawing, quilting or creating beautiful photogaphs for books it's all artistic expression.
Glad you had a chance to visit regards Zsuzsy
Zsuzsy, it's not nice to blame boozing it up at a Christmas party on those sweet, innocent Hub Gremlins. The poor misunderstood darlings... ;-)
C.W. well who else can I blame? I forgot to go to the liquor store last time I was in town. Those "cute little darlins" as you call them have nothing better to do them play havoc... if you don't believe me, their actions are well documented in the movie called 'Gremlins' mind you the hubgremlins are more sophisticated and much more computer savvy.zs
Yes BUT, it is near Christmas and everybody knows they are not "Gremlin-ish" (just made that up!) during the holidays... Except for Saint Paddy's Day, the little bastards can't hold their Irish whiskey!
Besides, if you've got a good bottle stashed I'm going to have to insist on some for the awesome latte I just made...
Unfortunatelly my house is dry at the moment. Friends were over a couple of days ago and we cleared up all the partial bottles. You know "housecleaning" the bar. It's good to get rid of bottles that only have a couple of ounces in them and start with a new set. ( The Zombies we mixed were nothing short of gross. Let's put it this way we have not found a new specialty drink amongst the twelve of us. What we did find though was a few headaches.)
Irish is on the shopping list, so come by next week and we'll have a latte or two then.zs
You're on! My place is dry, too! Well... except for a little cabernet sauvignon. Enough to for a few of good pasta sauces... that's it.
Sigh!
Ah Zsuzsy you have excellent handywork, a job well done. Your quilts are truly awesome.
Voltsrage! Thanks for taking a look and for commenting. Unfortunately it seems my best work always has gone for customers and I haven't been able to keep them for myself. regards Zsuzsy
I have a historic handsewn quilt - I have been making it for around 40 years! Its handpieced hexagons and the fabric was from my mother's and later mine sewing. I only have one side of 1/2 hexagons to go - maybe I'll finish it before it turns 50 !
Lissie! Just think of how fantastic you'll feel when the quilt is done. It will be filled with pure memories, how lovely to hold on to.
Always glad when you pop in for a quick visit.
Seasons greetings to you and your pal Zsuzsy
I dont know what it is, but there is something really special with anything thats been hand made!,,,, unless there not good at making, then a machine will have to do! :D
Happy Holidays ZsuzsyBee:)
Compu-Smart! I agree with you. Hand made only looks good if made well. Thanks for taking a look. I hope you're having good holidays too.
Greeting to you from far off cold Canada.
Kindest regards Zsuzsy
Thanks you!
Greetings 2u2 from from far off cold London.
:)
Zsuzsy, wow that's nice you have so many talents. They look awesome, I hope you participate in the exhibition. Thanks.
CGull! Thanks for taking a look. And yes I was invited to be at the exhibition and I hope I will be able to make many picture which I then can share here in a hub.
Kindest regards Zsuzsy
This Hub sure brings back some old memories Zuzsy. As a youth I didn't hang out much with the kids my own age, I was drawn by my quest for wisdom, to the elders around me. One of the things I would do is go to an elderly womens home, (I called her Aunt Bee) and she and others would spend the day making hand made quilts. I could sense the love that went in to each cut and each stitch as their old withering hands moved this way and that. Each work was a piece of art that could not be copied by another. Later in life I learned that Aunt Bee and the others had never sold a single quilt that they had labored so hard on, they were giving them all away. They gave these quilts to family, friends, close neighbors and the less fortunate, who no doubt knew no love until one of these hand made quilts full of these womens love came their way. Memories...........
Sinnersystem.com! Thanks for taking a look and for commenting.
kindest regards Zsuzsy
Your Hub brought back memories for me too, Zsuzsy. My grandmother taught me how to quilt by hand starting when I was about 6 or 7. She also gave me quilts that her grandmother had made, and I have them carefully stored away.
Somehow, although I love hand-stitching, I never mastered the patience to complete a bed-sized quilt. And so, I collected quilts, tried my hand at small pieces (also never finished), and what I've come up with is that I love the art of quilting, but it's not for me to do.
My daughter went to school in West Virginia, a state that is a keeper of traditional home arts. A local museum there sponsored a quilting bee society. Once or twice a year, the ladies of the bee would complete a fabulous hand-stitched quilt and put it up for auction to benefit the museum. I was lucky to meet some of the ladies and hear about their art. They used only locally woven fabrics, needles made in the colonial methods, and antique quilting frames from the area.
At the local Apple Butter festival there one year, my daughter and I went to a quilt show in the Baptist church and bought a small, beautifully made sampler. To make the exchange of quilt for money, we had to go outside the church and into the street, since the exchange of money is forbidden in the church.
I remember all these things with great warmth, and feel sorry about my inability to carry on the tradition given to me by my grandmother and my wonderful experiences in West Virginia. Quilting just wasn't for me to do, although it is for me to admire.
I so admire your ability and your dedication to this time-honored art. You inspire me to write about the quilts in my life. I think I will.
Happy New Year, Zsuzsy.
Sally, how are you? A full size quilt does take a bit of time. But have you heard of miniature quilt? They can be used as wall hangings or you can make a table runner... I always suggested to my student to start with a smaller project because the feeling of accomplishment usually is enough to get the quilting bug to grab on good. Maybe a smaller project is the right way for you too. And please write about all of your quilts, I'll be looking for them.
Always glad when you come over for a visit, kindest regards Zsuzsy
Gosh, I had no idea that quilting could be so creative and, to my eyes, painstakingly involved. Your Hubs are so interesting and the number of thm you have created is awesome. Congratulations, Zsuzsy Bee. Your fan, Richard Rich Simpson, newbie Hubber.
Rich! Glad you came by. Quilting is a time consuming hobby but sooooo much fun and well worth the effort as far as I'm concerned.
Thanks for taking a look and for commenting
regards Zsuzsy
Really beautiful work it is! Thanks for sharing :-)
Clara thanks for taking a look and for commenting.
regards Zsuzsy
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Comments
B.T. Thank you. I'm always glad when you hop over for a visit.
Kindest regards Zsuzsy
Sukkran! Thanks for taking a look and for commenting.
regards Zsuzsy
NYLady! How are you? Glad you came for a visit. This past year I've made 7 quilts and none were for me or my gang. I hate to see them go. I only have 4 more orders for now so maybe I'll get enough time in between to make one for my youngey granddaughter as she just graduated to a real size bed from the junior one.
greetings Zsuzsy
Lady Guinevere! Congrats on your grandson and happy quilting. There is nothing like a hand made treasure as far as I'm concerned.
regards Zsuzsy
I made one for my sister whhen she had her first son and she never used it. She put it up in a closet somewhere so it wouldn't ge ruined. Now she doesn't know where it is.
Moonlake! I would love to go on one of those retreats where everyone is just eating, talking and breathing Quilting. One of these years maybe I'll get to do that too.
thanks for taking a look
kindest regards Zsuzsy
mdvaldosta! Hang onto the quilt because I bet your Grandma put every stitch into it with love for you. Thanks for coming by
greetings from Canada Zsuzsy
Zsuzsy, nothing like a quilt, is there? This a timely hub for me because I've been "window-shopping" (on the net) for a quilt and finally found the one I'm getting. I couldn't swear that it's hand-made, but man, it's incredibly!
Check it out: http://houseofquilts.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEW
They are beautiful, I wish I had the patience and talent to do somethig like that. In my town we have a Museé de la Chemiserie (something like a shirt museum) You would love it. Last year they had an exhibition of Amish quilts, they were absolutely georgeous.
C.W. Gorgeous just gorgeous. That quilt looks absolutely perfect. (Sorry please do not misunderstand me here but I can't say it any other way, but that quilt is an invitation to jump into bed, it looks cozy and warm) I can see that thats just the kind of quilt you would need in an Oregon winter and a perfect manly choice (if you ask me).
Thanks for the visit regards Zsuzsy
Princessa! We have a Mennonite town (similar to Amish) called Elora not far from here. They have markets set up for their hand made quilts and furniture. I went there last summer and I developed a severe drooling problem there. On my life I've never seen so many pieces of art in one place. The quilts are all hand stitched from start to finish... some can cost thousand plus dollars... (as far as I'm concerned worth every dime) Wow what a bunch of eye-candy that visit was for me.
Thanks for taking a look greetings to you and your family from Canada, Zsuzsy
I know!! And when I was looking for a quilt I had something specific in mind - I'd seen it before and wanted one like it for years, but when I saw this.... well, you said it best.
...And I'm big on textures, and this one is very textured!
C.W. I always love to build my monochromatic crazy quilts on the different textures in the fabric, so know exactly what you mean. regards Zsuzsy
I love your quilting ability and you are very handy with it I must say. There is a lady on Pitcairn Island by the name of Nadine who I have talked to a few times through the Pitcairn Group on Yahoo, I am interested in Pitcairn culture and history, and this lady makes some amazing quilts all by hand. She posted some pictures of her quilts on Flickr and I must say these are simply beautiful. Thanks for sharing your many adventures in the world of quilting.
Here I come chasing after SweetiePie but then she does go to the best hubs. I learned so much about quilts. I guess I have to spend more time in crafts besides my full time job.
Hello Sweetie Pie! Thanks for coming by. Whenever I think that handiwork is getting to be a thing of the past I find somebody who does some type that's new to me. I was at an art show not long ago where I saw jewelery made out of tiny bits of cloth it was fascinating stuff. Once I have explored all the ins and outs I will hub it.
Seasons greetings Zsuzsy
Countrywomen! With most women working full time now and not having a chance to sew anymore I consider myself lucky that I was able to sew for a living. I've been a self supporting single Mom for more years then not. So between keeping the tailor shop going 60-70 hours a week I had to hunt for hours to be able to dedicate them to quilting and handywork. As I said I've been lucky that I could work at something that I love. And also that some people still appreciate hand made beauties as an art and not just a hobby.
Thanks for taking a look seasons greetings Zsuzsy
Zsuzsy- I certainly appreciate hand made gifts their is so much love that has gone into it. Yes you are really lucky to be able to do what you enjoy the most. My mother is still pretty active with stitching clothes, knitting sweaters and so on. When I was in India I wanted to study and have a career but now I guess I would love to have that time to do those things. I guess once I get married and settle down with more leisure time I can appreciate all this better.
Zsuzsy, I featured in my latest hub!...
Hi Zuz! I wanted to say sorry I havent popped over, I got your email and I meant to send one in kind but forgot! I hope you had a Happy Christmas and New Year! Also, are you aware that there are 2 comment boxes on this hub?? And none on your latest?? Anyywa, great hub, someday when I have my own garden I am going to use all of your tips!
Isabella! I was wondering where you had gotten to. Thanks, my family and I had a fantastic holiday season but as always I'm glad to get back to the regular hubab of life. I noticed the second comment box... it just appeared out of the blue but by then there were a few comments in both so I couldn't delete it. I guess two are better then none... I better check on the other hub I really am not sure why there isn't one there. Glad you're okay I missed chatting with you, how were your holidays?
Take it easy, kindest regards and best wishes Zsuzsy
Mine were good, thanks! It's absolutely freezing over here, the coldest winter I have ever seen. Global warming, my arse! ;-)
Isabella! I just stated that same thing just an hour ago to my son. It's been so much colder so far this winter even here in my neck of the woods.
Stay warm my dear young friend zs
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B.T. Evilpants says:
12 months ago
You certainly are possessed of many talents, Zuzsy! I love your crafty spirit!