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Monday, March 4, 2013

Properly appreciative 1

I don't give quilts or other handmade things away very often, having been disappointed in the past when people didn't properly appreciate the magnificence of such gifts.  I have occasionally found my quilts spread out as tablecloths or my afghans used as a nice soft doggy bed.  In situations like this, I believe in one strike and you're out -- no more handmade stuff for you.

But when I know that people understand and value what goes into a piece of fiber art, it's a pleasure to give them presents.  Not surprisingly, fellow fiber artists make excellent recipients.  They know what skill and effort are required for such projects, and they are attuned to the subtleties of the techniques and materials.

Towards the end of last year I made two little quilts as gifts for good friends.  Both of them are fine fiber artists, both of them make quilts themselves, and I knew that the quilts would be in good homes.

As it turned out, both were made from leftovers from my summer-long quilting marathon.  When I like a quilt, I enjoy working with the same fabrics for a while longer.  My method of using tiny pieces always results in a lot of extra fabric, because it's so much easier to cut a lot of strips in advance than to try to gauge exactly how much will be needed.  So I feel quite righteous using up the bits and pieces in a small project.

Blue Ohio, 17 x 15"


Morning in America, 14 x 15"






Update:  Linking this to Nina-Marie's blog -- check it out to see what other fiber artists are up to this week.

8 comments:

  1. These are amazing. I could gaze for hours. I'm looking forward to the day when I can enjoy your work in person Kathleen. Thanks so much for sharing.

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  2. I love these-I agree, there is a lot to see in both of them. What a nice idea!

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  3. Lovely quilts and the best part is they came from nothing! I love using my scraps to create beautiful things.

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  4. These are lovely and I love the titles.

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  5. The recipient of 'Morning in America' also would like to say that she loves her gift. It has a special place above my sewing machine, and shines on the work space with a bright light. Thank you, Kathy.

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  6. I LOVE your little quilts and think your "fine fiber artist" friends are very lucky indeed.

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  7. Hi, Kathleen. Both beautiful and I like these quilts for different reasons. I find the blue stripes appealing and I find the yellow quilt daring and dazzling, particularly as I seem to avoid yellow in my work. I've gotta talk to my yellow fabric stash!
    best, nadia

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