“Whether made for public display or for intimate private use, quilts provide a window into their era and visually narrate often-invisible American experiences. Within a quilt’s fibers, materials, patterns, and decoration are embedded larger stories of industrial production, politics, social change and communities along with the personal stories of families. Some live on the surface of American life and some are embedded deep within community history and tradition.”
Fabric of a Nation: American Quilt Stories
Director’s Forward
Pamela Parmal, Jennifer Swope, and
Lauren Whitley
Happy Friday!
This week has been a busy one in the studio...working on two vintage quilts (repairs, new binding, etc.) and two custom quilts have been in the works! I also had the pleasure of perusing my copy of Fabric of a Nation: American Quilt Stories that I ordered. The book is a companion to the exhibit now open at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. For more information about the exhibit you may visit here: https://www.mfa.org/
This exhibit is so exciting and the publication is a feat in itself. I listened to Jennifer Swope discuss the exhibit and the book on the Quiltbuzz podcast, which you can find here: https://quiltbuzzpodcast.com/podcast/episode-040-jennifer-swope-of-the-museum-of-fine-arts-boston She discusses how the book is an extension of the exhibit because the exhibition space only had a limited space, but the book allows for more exploration of the themes of the exhibit through many more examples of quilts. The book is beautiful! I will share more as I read through it. I am participating in the SuzyQuilts book club, and we will begin discussing the book this week, I think! I should check what I need to have read!
The companion book to the exhibit of the same name at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
I am also participating in the MFAQAL (Museum of Fine Arts Quilt Along) put on by Amanda @broadclothstudio. She enlisted the help of some wonderful pattern designers to help her put together the blocks in the quilt. Each designer chose a classic quilt block found in the exhibit and “reimagined” it and gave it their own “modern spin” (quotations per the MFAQAL pattern!).
This week we are working on the Water Lily block and the Courthouse Steps block...I have been cutting the fabric for my blocks. I will piece them this weekend.
The MFA Boston is working on putting together a virtual exhibit, so if you cannot get to Boston, then you may be able to see the exhibit anyway!
So much of my work is honoring memories and people’s lives, and I love the quotation at the beginning of the blog. I am honored to be a part of this vibrant, important community!
Sending Quilting Love,
Ginger
Coming Next Time: Thread...
I am Reading: I am still reading Wicked by Gregory McGuire, but I finished Tightrope by Simon Mawer this week. I am working my way through Let Your Creativity Work for You by Heather Allen. Also I picked up the third Witcher book, Blood of Elves. I am still reading bits of poetry, and I have stacks of things to read, which always makes me happy! Of course I am reading for my quilty book club...I will share as I go along!