"Amish Abstractions: Quilts From The Collection of Faith & Steven Brown" Published by Pomegranate Communications

Some of you who have read my blog for awhile may realize that I have been enamored with Amish Quilts for more years than I care to admit to! My obsession with them began with an exhibit of Amish Quilts at the Whitney Museum in New York City in the 1970’s. I have always thought that Amish quilts represent the height of quilt artistry and I’ve collected books on Amish quilts for many years. I was, therefore, thoroughly delighted when I was asked to review this new book from Pomegranate Communications!

“Amish Abstractions: Quilts From The Collection of Faith &  Steven Brown” is a lush, beautifully printed, book presented by the San Francisco Fine Arts Museums and is, as mentioned above, published by Pomegranate Communications . I have known about Pomegranate as a purveyor of fine cards, book marks and wonderful calendars, but I was not aware of their extensive, very beautiful, line of art books. Their catalog is impressive!

 "Tumbling Blocks", circa 1925  Ohio or Indiana  72 X 70 "

 

The forward to “Amish Abstractions” is written by John E. Buchanan, Jr. Director of Museums/ Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. Faith & Steven Brown have written an excellent ‘Collector’s Note’ about their superb collection and the book contains essays ,written by noted quilt historians,that are both interesting and very informative.

Janneken Smucker, quilt historian, presents an excellent, very enjoyable, essay entitled ‘Quilts In Amish Contexts : Traditions and Adaptations’ in which she explains a bit about the history of the Amish, the Amish aesthetic, and how the tradition of Amish quilt making began. This essay offers a compact history of how the Amish began making quilts, initially large scale patterns made from fabrics left over from clothes making - progressing to how the Amish ultimately used more mainstream patterns in their quilt making.

The eminent quilt historian Robert Shaw has contributed an essay entitled “Fundamentally Abstract: The Aesthetic Achievement of Amish Quiltmakers”. This is a well written essay that describes the evolution of Amish design work and the historical differences between the quilt styles of various Amish sects. From the Lancaster Amish and their brilliant central diamond designs that feature large open spaces filled with beautiful feathered quilting patterns to the Midwestern Amish quilt makers who favored blue & black, used pieced patterns, and used more main stream cottons and other fabrics as opposed to the wools used by Lancaster County quilters – this essay is an excellent preview to the history of Amish quilt patterns.

An essay contributed by Joe Cunningham, another noted quilt historian, is entitled “All In The Details: The Making of Amish Quilts”. It’s a concise, well presented introduction to the history of the quilt patterns that were most often used by the Amish.

Above: "Unnamed Pattern" circa 1930, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania  70 X 70 "

Above: "Railroad Crossing" circa 1888, Melinda Miller, Walnut Creek, Ohio  89 X 69"

What I enjoyed the most about this book is that the Brown’s collection of Amish quilts contains some amazing examples of quilts- some of which I have not seen. The plates in this book offer some prime examples of the large, beautifully quilted, wool quilts of the Lancaster Amish, but there are also some spectacular examples of quilts made from more main stream patterns: Amish crazy quilts, abstracts, nine-patch and variations, ocean waves, hole in the barn door, broken dishes – all ‘main stream’ patterns that, in the hands of the Amish, become works of art. The Amish aesthetic and their utilization of colors make the patterns sing and their use of juxtaposed colors raise the patterns from traditional patch work to artistic masterpiece. I think that the artistry in Amish quilts is what has always fascinated me about them – they are brilliant, bold, aesthetically pleasing and, to my eye, they always represent the epitome of quilt artistry.

I highly recommend this book for quilt enthusiasts in general but most certainly quilt historians and those who admire Amish design will be especially pleased with the Faith & Steven Brown Amish quilt collection presented in this book. The color plates are very well done and the text portions of the book are excellent reading. I could go on and on about the patterns and color plates in this book – but it is probably best if you just buy the book! All in all, although I seldom provide the rating, I believe that this book deserves five stars!

Below: "Ocean Waves" circa 1925, Holmes County, Ohio   89 X 76"

Below: "Unnamed Pattern" Circa 1930, Crib Quilt 30 X 25"

"Crazy Quilt" circa 1930, Arthur, Illinois  78 X 63 " 

Could anything be more modern, abstract or awesome as this Amish 'Crazy Quilt'?!

" Quilts, Baby!" By Linda Kopp : A Refreshing Take On Quilts!

remember that you can double click on the photos for a better view!

I could use many words as descriptors about this book. Delightful, refreshing, enchanting , appealing -  and, simply, one of the best little quilt books I have come across in a long while.  I was not sure that I would be the best reviewer for this book because I don't make a lot of baby quilts any more. Boy! Am I ever glad I decided to have a look! This is one of those books that screams originality.  The patterns are simple - and simple is a favorite with me - but each quilt also features the addition of something that makes the quilt special, endearing and enchanting.

Just look at some of the names of the quilts in the 'contents' section! Just plain fun! The beginning of the book focuses on a very well thought out 'quilting basics' section. The book is also peppered with great short-cut ideas. A combination of captivating hand drawn images as well as photographs makes reading the directions, for the 'basics' as well as for the quilts totally enjoyable. Quilt directions are beautifully done - exemplars of the quilts are shown  in sketches as well as photographs and you glean information about the special talents of each of the quilt designers featured in the book.

The books contains 12 simple quilt designs - each of which has an added, endearing, element. Folk artsy, colorful, embroidered and unique additions to each design makes these simple quilts stand out. The ideas are, of course, great for a child - but also for the adults in the crowd who look for a touch of whimsy in their lives! The designs are great for beginner's, especially with the wonderful 'basics' chapter to guide them, but also would be winner's for adults as well.

 There are also lots of tips and tricks for applique, embroidery, quilting, bindings and how to add fun elements like small pockets.

 

There are also lots of tips and tricks for applique, embroidery, quilting, bindings and how to add fun elements like small pockets.

This book makes me smile. It makes me want to put more fun back into my quilting. I have always thought that rules are made to be fiddled with (once you know the basics anyway) and this book , I think, proves me right. This is one book that will please quilters of all ages - and I am certain that if you buy it - you will find yourself smiling too!

"Many Blessings" Quilt Pattern From Darlene Zimmerman a/k/a FeedSack Lady

Darlene Zimmerman has created a series of new quilt patterns called "Amalie's Story: Quilts & Letters From The Civil War complete with a look into Amalie's life. Each pattern comes with multiple quilt sizes as well as Amalie's life story and letters from the time of her life when she made the quilt". I have always had a very soft spot in my heart for traditional quilts & I like sleeping under them the best! When I saw this pattern advertised in a magazine I fell in love with it and contacted Darlene immediately. She had not even had the patterns listed on her web-site yet. I have a very large stash of reproduction prints that I have saved and I culled many of the the pinks & browns to use for this quilt. My friend Janet picked up off white on off white background fabric for me in her jaunt to the mainland this week. I was going to just use lights from my stash but decided that a unified background was important to this design.

It must be the cooler nights that are already settling in (yes, I do sleep well in this weather)! that have made me yearn to make bed quilts right now. A friend and I are also planning to make a log cabin over this coming winter - that's always been a favorite pattern of mine because it is so amazingly versatile. My other favorite is nine patch quilts & all of their many great variations. I am also still plotting out my next art quilt and doing experiments to get the right technique/techniques that I want to use - makes my pens and inks real handy for drawing it out too!

I am still in shock that September is so close at hand. How did the full heat of summer go by so fast? This time warping speed causes me some tears and frustrations at times - so much that I want to do and I feel like time is closing in. Fibro holds me back at times that I want to be speeding forward. I want more time dang it! Don't you think that retirement should start at 30??? I sure as heck do - though when I was 30 I am sure that retirement was far from mind as I climbed that foolish career ladder! Odd that when I achieved what I wanted I realized that it felt hollow - art and color were where all of my time should have been spent. Then again, being a starving artist held/holds very little appeal! So - I better get to work now cutting up some of my lovely reproduction fabrics. Ahhhhh -- the hum of my machine is soothing!

Time For Winter Flannels

It was time to change to a warmer quilt this week and I pulled this one out. It was an anniversary quilt that I made for a present to my husband in 1999 - and gave it to him 2000. It's called 'Buzzwheel' among other names. We both like using it a lot. It's made from flannels and has a super warm backing of triple weight fleece. We think that it is about as warm as our down comforter - which I generally don't pull out until January - or when it first snows around here! I think that "Lily" agrees - she like this quilt on the bed!

The Start of A New "Qui-Felt" Piece

"Qui-Felt" is my newly coined name for the process I love to do - quilting on felts. This is the beginning of a new project. Last summer at the County Fair I happily acquired three fleece. One of the fleece was cream colored - shorn before my eyes in the 'sheep to shawl' demonstration. The other two were a dreamy mocha color & a nearly black brown - both thanks to "Our Lady Of The Rock" monastery. The fleece were truly 'off the sheep' & needed cleaning. Since I did not feel qualified to do the job, I sent them off to 13 Mile Lamb & Wool Complany in Montana. Some weeks later a box arrived containing clean, beautiful, soft, rovings - all ready to spin or felt. 13 Mile Lamb & Wool does such a good job , plus they're wonderful to work with. They conduct their business the way it used to be (and should be) done. They sent back my fleece with a bill - trusting that it would be paid. I just sent off another fleece that was given to me last week!

I challenged myself to make something to enter in the Fair this year that was made from the fleece that I acquired last year. I decided that a large knitting bag would be appropriate. Since these very neutral colors are not what I am used to working with , I decided to give myself a bit of leeway to add a bit of color here & there - but any additional colors also had to be 'natural' looking rather than bright & clear. These photos are the beginning of my new knitting bag. Once it is fully needle felted I will wash it, add a lining ,and then free motion quilt it...... I love the entire process - no one part is more enjoyable than another - a perfect project! The photo below shows some of the roving in place to begin needle felting

Another Trip Down Quilt Memory Lane

Join me in another trip down memory lane! Above is a LeMoyne Star quilt. When i made it I thought it was so dang good. I didn't know that there was a much better way to join the inner points so that they would lay flat. My machine quilting was truly awful - and I thought everyone used muslin as a quilt back ! It looked good enough on a wall - but I keep it now to remind myself to never be too pride-full. There is always a lot to learn no matter where you are in your quilting life!

Everyone, it seemed, had to do a Maple Leaf design. This one is just when I had laid out the blocks prior to putting them together. I didn't usually take photos of much of work back then. It's also odd to look at my quilts - not nearly as much color as I seem to always use now!

I have always love Log Cabin blocks - and I still do. This is the first quilt I made using Log Cabin blocks. I made it during a particularly stressful time in my life - and called it "The Rocky Road of Life" - though I suppose "Streak of Lightening" would not have been a bad title either! It's the first quilt that I used polar fleece as a backing - with no batting. Now I still use polar fleece but I think that using a batting layer works best. It adds some stability and looks much better - and prevents shadowing too. Come to think of it - it feels like time to do another Log Cabin block quilt sometime soon! At least this one showed some lively colors - despite the rocky road I was on !

Early Quilt Experiments

After reading my post about the quilt 'talk' I gave, cyber friend, Karoda asked if I had ever posted any of the pages from my quilting memory book on my blog. Of course I never had, but her comment made me think that it might not be a bad idea.

I have no photos of the early quilts I made in 1976 – and if I did I suspect that I would cringe. I had fallen in love with the richness and simplicity of Amish quilts. These quilts became powerful images in my mind. Those first quilts were Amish knock offs. During that time I also made quilts to sell. A twin sized quilt was $50. I thought I had hit the jack pot. I wonder how long they lasted? Most of the solid colored fabrics that were available then were a poly/cotton blend – can you imagine? There were no rotary cutters. I am not sure if I had decent scissors and I would not have recognized a template if one was tossed to me. I was so young and naive at this point. My quilting then was also questionable - sketchy at best – I can’t imagine what I thought I was doing using a puffy polyester batting either! Maybe that’s all I could get at the time. I remember Mountain Mist being available– I used to love the packaging and free patterns that came in the roll. I think, if I were to see any of these first quilts I would think they were just plain horrid – and be even more shocked that someone bought them. One person, I remember, bought a set of 4 quilts – WoW $200! That was a lot of money at the time ! Horrid quilts perhaps but they were the beginning of my love affair with quilts and quilting.

These photos represent the beginning of my "return" to quilting after being on hiatus when I thought, for some insane reason, that I needed to climb the a career ladder. The photo of the little hearts baby quilt is an old Polaroid - and, as such ,it's not a great photo. The hearts were, at least, all hand appliqued and the quilting - what there was of it - was all done by hand. The fabrics were relatively boring - pinks and creams. There is also a scary photo of what I looked like at the time! Yikes !

I find that having a 'quilting memory book' is really valuable thing. I like looking at where I have been in order to see to where I am. Does that make any sense?! I keep my ribbons and acceptance notices in the book too (funny thing though - I seem to not have kept too many of the rejection notices !). Hope you have enjoyed this peek at my past !

It Was A Wonderful, "Sewcial" Day!

This is the wonderful room at the Senior Center that we rent for our get-togethers.

Today was a "Sewcial" day for our quilting group. It was the day for the annual Mystery Quilt - though all are welcome to come, socialize and work on whatever we want to. I had wanted to do the mystery quilt this year - for a service project, but I had fallen too far behind on other deadline projects - so I had to put the mystery aside for another day. I got the instructions! I think that we have "Sewcials" scheduled for June and July as well - looking forward to them! The "Sewcials" are my favorite's since I don't often get to go and play with my quilting friends The weekly meetings are held on one of my busiest work days, so I am generally ready to go home at the end of the day. These fun days are that much more important and special to me. These are the friends I will be growing older with. That's important !

Here is Linda working on cutting out a pattern and Janet sitting by her trusty Janome trying to figure how how in the heck these mysterious clues go together!

We like to hold our meetings in the Senior Center - look the gorgeous, clean, light filled room! It's the best ! There is a full professional kitchen too and we have some of the best cooks ever in our group - so the luncheon pot lucks are always absolutely awesome!

We get to enjoy our lunch outside where we can enjoy the amazing gardens.

It is such a nice break to sit, chat and relax a bit before going back to the sewing machines. It was the hottest day that we have had this year so far - int he 80's and becoming a bit muggy.

Maude and Linda were hard at work on their projects.

This is Kris's drop dead gorgeous quilt that she recently finished! Isn't it wonderful? She had also finished not one bt TWO other great projects. She's been the ultimate power sewer lately.

It was a lovely day filled with creativity and friendship - what a great combination. I am very grateful to be a part of such an all around fabulous group of women - and it will be an honor to age gracefully with them!

Simple, Scrappy Bed Quilts

I like very simple quilts a lot & I am inordinately fond of scrap quilts - probably because they are always so much fun to construct. I have a good supply of 5 inch "sample"squares & I love using them for making the simplest of scrap quilts. For this quilt I used some of my stash of oriental fabric squares with a simple set & borders. I staggered the borders a bit to add a bit of visual interest. This is the quilt I am currently sleeping under. The back is fabulous too - I should take a photo of it - it's Asian floral fleece in red & white with a wide border of coordinated solid red. Yummy! I have used these wonderful little "sample" squares to make several quilts. They are colorful and so much fun to work with. Oddly enough - one of these scrap quilts is one that sold very quickly....and I even got a nice note from the new owner telling me how much they enjoy the quilt! Simple is such a good thing ! Sometimes I get so engrossed in thinking that I need to show off more quilting / pieceing skills that I forget that I generally prefer simple patterns over complicated - well except for my hand applique - and with that I seem to like to stitch fantasy, complicated, time consuming pieces!

Have a great day - and, as always, thanks for taking the time to have a look at my ramblings !

Aunt Doe's Quilt

I'm trying not to wallow in sadness. Trying to force myself to do the things that need doing. Yesterday, with all of it's sorrow, also marked the day I finished the quilt top for our Aunt Doe. Today, one of the things that needs to be done is sewing (seaming) the backing for this quilt. I am using a cream colored ,double micro velour, fleece from my favorite Malden Mills. It's Aunt Doe's 90th birthday in August and I know that she will like this quilt! Some years ago I gave her a small quilt & she always mentions how cozy it is and how much she uses it. This quilt is 88" X 109 ". Betsy Sauther of Nautilus Quilting is going to grace the top with her beautiful longarm artistry.

I have a passion for reproduction fabrics - both 19th century & early 20th, so my collection is rather embarrassingly rich. With the exception of the background white on cream fabric, this was made using stash fabrics. It's a very small part of my stash reduction plan. I think that the pattern is the most traditional of traditional, and some years ago I had cut it out of issue #99
( Sept/Oct 2004) of Quiltmaker magazine. They call the pattern "Chimney Sweep" - though I know it has many other names. I just call it traditional comfort! The finished blocks are 11.25". I like it well enough that I think I will make another for our bed. I seem to bounce back and forth between making traditional & art quilts. I love the balance it gives me. Next up is the fast approaching dead line for the Grab Bag challenge. I will really be pressing the deadline on this one so please wish me luck and energy to get it done in time!

The Comfort Of Tradition: 32 Blocks Done; More Work To Do

Finally! I have finished all 32 quilt blocks for this xtra long queen sized, ultra traditional quilt. I am ready to begin adding the sashings, cornerstones, and setting triangles. It's going to be a beautiful quilt & I like it well enough that I want to make another one for our bed. All of these blocks were made using Judy Rothermel's fabrics from Marcus Brothers. DH has been kind enough to continue my subscriptions to both of her reproduction lines for some years now- mid eighteenth century types & 30's. It's always great fun to open these packages - and it's a gift that continues to bring me much enjoyment. As I worked on each block I thought it was the prettiest one yet! Scrappy traditional quilts ares still my favorites & I think they prove that all colors can, in fact, work together.

Oddly enough I am doing a lecture in May that is about what we call our quilts and what we call ourselves in relation to our quilts. Is there a difference? Is quilt art for the bed as well as for the wall - or is a quilt for the bed and textile art for the wall? An interesting dilemma at times. I am most fond of traditional patterns. They calm me down and comfort me. I LOVE having a hand made quilt on my bed. I am also, however, a person who makes "art quilts" that are meant solely for display on a wall (or maybe in a cat bed!) - so am I a quilter, an artistic quilter, an art quilter, or a tectile artist? Am I an artist at all? What do you call yourself? What do you think of this "naming" issue? I would love to hear your comments - I need information for this upcoming lecture ! I still have not started my notes for it !

Surprise In The Mail

I got a fabulous surprise in the mail yesterday from Wanda over at exuberant color. It was a "finder's fee" of sorts- although I told her I did not need a "fee'! I knew the person who was her 25,000th visitor - and got them hooked up. I am in love with the colors - how can you miss with the wonderful orange ?! 25,000 visitors in 7 months (I think it was) is incredible! I am hoping for 20,000 in a year !! Good going Wanda and thanks so very much !

More Appliqued Bits'n'Pieces

Happy Chinese New Year. The year of the Rat. I was going to write about this holiday,but in reviewing some of my other daily blog reads I think it has been cited enough. Suffice it to say that the year of the Rat begins a new 10 year cyle through the animals. I find Chinese astrology fascinating - and quite accurate. I'm a Rabbit. Tell me what animal you are!

In lieu of more rat facts - here are a few more pieces of applique. These had originally been made with the thought of a full quilt in mind but then I got started on my Baltimore - and these have become orphans without a cause. 'Course if I don't get cracking again the Baltimore blocks will be orphans too!

Saturday With Friends

I had a lovely relaxing sew day with friends yesterday. Sometimes you just need to talk and get caught up- and that's what we did a lot of ! It's good to be with people who have known you for quite awhile - it ups the comfort level in sharing news of our lives. Our hostess with the mostest made a delectable cauliflower-cheese soup for lunch; complete with sour dough rolls and ooey gooey brownies (complements of her DH). I want the soup recipe ! Her DH and I talked about cameras & lenses & then he most generously lent me my favorite lens to play with. I seriously NEED this lens! It's perfect for what I like to photograph the most! It's on my birthday list now ! Look at all of that light in the workroom ... and space! J worked on a fabulous knitted cowl in some Oh ! So Soft ! Mountain Colors yarn. MJ worked on a vexing pillow case form. LP was sewing on a Christmas piece that highlights the spitting image of her DH. I did some FMQ on my tree study for the larger piece that is to come & JC was working on a fabulous color wheel .. what a cool idea ! It was a day of friendship& creativity.

Here is our hostess and her most recent work - she says it's taking a long time - but it's fabulous ! I especially like the shape of it - long and narrow.

Below is portion of my favorite quilt that she has made. It makes me smile broadly every time I see it. I have the pattern and I need to really get in gear and make my own version - since it seems to fit our household so well ! Maybe I need to just go more often to admire it in her house - mine will never be this good !

Thanks to ALL of my friends both near, far & farthest (cyber space) for enriching my life and always encouraging me in my own artistic endeavors. Without all of you I might have never had the determination to keep growing and trying new things ! Thank You !

A Touch of Heaven In The Mail

Saturday's mail brought a most unexpected surprise from Vicki. WoW! What a surprise! I thought that she might send me ONE piece of her hand dyed fabric (and a small piece at that!).
What I found, however, was an absolute treasure trove! The photo above is of a glorious piece of hand dyed fabric & metallics - and it is awesome. The photo below is of the rainbow of my favorite warm colors that she sent. Beautifully done. Heaven!

She also added some fun bits of yarn (each nestled in it's own plastic bag) & a tube of beads which are already destined for my 'tree' piece. How could she know?!

As if all of this wasn't WAY more than enough Vicki also enclosed some of her incredible hand made soap for sensitive skin. I am a shea butter fan - so I have opened that one first - and it really is wonderful for those of us whose skin can have problems tolerating the additives and perfumes in most soap these days.

Last, but not least, this card was enclosed. Vicki could not have known that Charles Wysocki is one of my favorite artists - but this must surely be the proof that she is psychic! I am so very grateful for my friends - both local and cyber. I am, truly, blessed. My friends are my teachers - their lessons are about the meaning of friendship & good will. Thank You Vicki for sharing so freely - your blog cheers my day and you generous gift will be used well - and creatively I hope!