Above: the inspiration piece: “Sea of Japan in Winter,” 1983 by Shizuko Kuroha
I have not yet titled my latest quilt in process (inspired by the Kuroha quilt above). Rather, I’ve had a series of title possibilities: Arab Spring > Blackout > Revolution > Juneteenth > Portmanteau. Almost done with the top, I’ll have to make a final choice soon! I’m leaning strongly towards “Revolution.”
This piece began when I bought a quilt book at a used book store here in Iowa City. So focused on the images, I didn’t pay much attention to the written content. I later realized it was the catalog for the premiere exhibit at the
I planned to make my own iteration with some of the Japanese daiwabo fabrics in my collection, but wasn’t quite sure of the exact angle to cut the pieces for the block construction. Later, a co-worker gave me a book that chronicled quilt blocks from the 1930’s. There I stumbled upon the block design; it was called Arabic Lattice. The name seemed particularly timely with events in the Middle East this spring, 2011. More quilt sychronicity.
Composition with Theme & Variation Join me 12-4pm on Saturday July 23 & Sunday July 24 for a quilt design class at Home Ec Workshop. Together we’ll explore working from a basic block idea, then making that block your own either through color choices and/or design modifications. There are no expectations of finished projects, rather this class is meant to provide a healthy start to a project of your own design, increasing comfort levels with breaking away from patterns and making meaningful color choices. Selection from Home Ec’s marvelous array of fabric is encouraged, but also ok to bring a variety of small cuts of fabric from your home stash as well. This is about play and exploration to see where it leads you…
This class was really enjoyable – thanks to my great students – Amber, Gerri, Kirsten and Nancy! They all produced totally original ideas based on an inspiration. It was so exciting to see how each student’s project was a reflection of her own individuailty.
This is a post from one of my four students in my Home Ec Workshop class on July 23 & 24. I love Kirsten’s post, especially her photography! Good work, Kirsten!!
Kirsten’s Creations: Quilt Inspiration: “I’ve been wanting to post about an inspiring experience I had a couple weekends ago. I took a class at Home Ec Workshop with Erik Wolfmeye…”
John O’Donohue is one of my new favorite writers. Sadly, he is no longer with us, but his beautiful, thought-provoking work lives on. Here is a piece from his book Beauty I find very meaningful, particularly in my relationship with quilting.
But beauty interrupts restrictions in every place and thing. – Stephen David Ross
This is one of the sacred duties of imagination: honourably to imagine your self. The shortest distance in the world is the one between you and yourself. The space in question is tiny. Yet what goes on in this little space determines nearly everything about the kind of person you are and about the kind of life you are living. Normally, the priority in our culture is to function and do what is expected of us. So many people feel deep dissatisfaction and an acute longing for a more real life, a life that allows their souls to come to expression and to awaken; a life where they could discover a different resonance, one which echoes their heartfelt dreams and longing. For their short while on earth, most people long to have the fullest life they can. No-one wants to remain a prisoner in an unlived life. This was the intention of Jesus: ‘I have come that you may have life and have it to the full.’ Of the many callings in the world, the invitation to the adventure of an awakened and full life is the most exhilarating. This is the dream of every heart. Yet most of us are lost or caught in forms of life that exile us from the life we dream of. Most people long to step onto the path of creative change that would awaken their lives to beauty and passion, deepen their contentment and allow their lives to make a difference.
Thanks to all who attended! Another full house! Special surprise guest – my cousin Randy Wolfmeyer (Platteville, Wisconsin). Was also thrilled to meet Patti Zwick, celebrated Iowa City quilter and fellow former Quincy, Illinois resident. Also met the parents of one of my favorite (formerly local) artists, Meera Gessner. I was very honored when another audience member showed me the quilt her late daughter made, stitched together and quilted with dental floss. An all-around wonderful night – only wish I’d had more time to visit personally with everyone.
7:00PM – “The Road Home” (debut!) presentation with Q&A session/trunk show
Park United Methodist Churh, 2335 Palmyra Rd, Hannibal, MO
With my cousin, Susan Scholz holding a quilt I made as a wedding gift for my neice, Jeny Fausset. The fabric is all hand-dyed and printed in West Branch, Iowa by artist Susan Shinnick. Native Iowa flora and fauna are featured in the designs. Shinnick mostly makes women’s clothing with the fabric. The hand-quilting was done by one of the last remaining Amana (Iowa) quilters, Caroline Trumpold. Traditional Amana quilting uses embroidery thread, and quilts are typically whole cloth (no piecing, other than perhaps one or two seams to bind panels of the same fabric into one).
photos courtesy of Ellen O’Bryan
I was honored for the Hannibal, Missouri Piecemakers Quilt Guild to be my first official launch site for “The Road Home”. About 70 members were in attendance, including extra special guests: Hallye Bone (St. Louis, MO), Susan Scholz (Quincy, IL), and her mother/my aunt Alice Lee Solter (LaGrange, MO).
Above: the inspiration piece: “Sea of Japan in Winter,” 1983 by Shizuko Kuroha
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