a. got to get away
b. got to get away with quilting friends
c. got to get away with quilting friends to quilt
d. got to get away with quilting friends to quilt with several of the Gee's Bend artists
Before you start feeling too sad & sorry for me (you are sad & sorry, right?), at this time next week I will BE AWAY! WITH QUILTING FRIENDS!! TO QUILT!!! The HMQG will be having our first Quilt Retreat!!!! No Gee's Bend artists, but I guarantee you we will have loads of fun! I have been so excited about this outing, I started 'packing' almost a month ago. I've been cutting & stock-piling projects, gathering sewing supplies, hoarding snacks & drinks (me to Shug: "Don't eat/drink that, I'm taking it to the Retreat!"; Shug to me: "We can buy you more in the WEEKS before you go.") I can hardly wait!!!
Anyway.
Reading about the time that niftyquilts, Bumble Beans & fiberliscious had at Quilt Camp caused me to go to my quilt closet & pull out this quilt.
This is the most Gee's Bend-inspired quilt I have made to date. The denim is from my, Shug's & my Dad's jeans & there is a bit of South African indigo fabrics. I think I made it in 2003 or 2004 but I have never felt like it is finished -- it seems to need something more, I just don't know what it is.
niftyquilts shared some of the quilts & quilt tops she & her friends bought after Quilt Camp. Seeing them prompted me to dig out this quilt.
This is one of the first vintage quilts I ever purchased. I've mentioned before how I am rarely moved to buy quilts, mostly I am content to look & enjoy, maybe, with permission, take a photo or make a sketch. But this one I had to have. The completion date is probably much more recent than the age of the top -- that variegated yarn was very popular in the 1960s. (I've always kind of wanted to take it apart, I don't like the way it was finished but I am afraid the yarn will leave behind big holes.) The gorgeous rayons are from the World War II era, late 1930s to early 1940s. I would love to know where & how the maker got the variety of prints that you see here. I've always thought it was luscious.
5 comments:
Soooooo jealous! I want to go so bad! And I love the jeans quilt!!!!
Two audible gasps here! And a sigh--wishing you'd been with us in Alabama. Your jeans quilt is gorgeous. I think all it needs it quilting. And your rayon--I think we have sister quilts! Mine looks like it's made from the scraps of yours, and it's finished in the same way! We have GOT to get together in person sometime. Have a great time at your retreat. I know about all that anticipation. If I don't have a quilting get away scheduled sometime in my future, I can go a little batty.
I was jealous too. Great to see your hidden quilts. Very nice!
So funny! I love both of your quilts. The denim quilt, I yet have to make after all ten years of me following the style women of Gee's Bend.
Have a great time at your retreat. Sounds like a lot of fun is waiting for you just around the corner.
You just had those amazing tops in your cupboard, Wow!! The denim one is fantastic, I'm with Nifty and think it just needs quilting or tying. The vintage top is fabulous, I love those fabrics!! You'll have a great time on your sewing retreat!!! I get a bit jealous because I'm downunder i miss out on the great quilting events that happen in the States,the Houston Show, and the Sisters Festival, Sewing summit.., but I do get to go on sewing retreats in a place that has kangaroos hopping by.
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