One of the very best things about teaching is getting to meet the amazing women who show up as students. And sometimes they bring in the most astonishing work to share. Laura brought in this quilt..her very first crazy quilt.
It stopped me in my tracks. I had just met Laura in class, and didn't feel it was appropriate to ask her the story behind this quilt. I was sure it was very personal, and very private.
But the quilt speaks to all of us. I think it is a masterpiece of folk art, and conveys tremendous power and love. It blew me away.
Crazy quilts are not just about pretty flowers and lace.
In the wonderful world of social media--and I do think it is a force for good, as it connects people in new and meaningful ways--Laura and I became friends on Facebook so I can keep up with her life and her work. The subject of this quilt came up and I asked her if I could post it and she graciously gave me permission.
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I've taken a year off of crazy quilting as I worked on a quilt book on another subject--which I am very excited about and eager to share when the time comes.
But I also am glad to return to this beloved genre. Crazy quilts can tell a story like no other quilt can....I think it is because they take time and are such repositories of the maker's heart and soul, memorabilia, and memories.
Laura, I bow to you. Thank you for letting me share this.
Wow, this makes me want to weep! It is beautiful! So much emotion in this quilt!
ReplyDeleteIt is marvelous. One thing I really like about it is that the quilt is the entire country in crazy, not pieced states. Having lived it, friends that survived and some that didn't, a husband that served in Korea in the Viet Nam era because the Koreans took our US ship the Pueblo hostage, I know that this is a Very Special and Personal quilt.
ReplyDeleteHello Allie,
ReplyDeleteI love this quilt! I'm processing a post with a link to this post, can I borrow one of your photos?
WOW! Thank you for sharing that. It is amazing.
ReplyDeleteThis is not only a wonderful quilt of pieced Americana...I am certain it has a lot of LOVE stitched into every piece. The backstory should be shared and sewn to the back of this incredible work of HeArt.. Blessings for all of 2016...
ReplyDeleteWow! That's gorgeous!
ReplyDelete5:25 a.m. and already crying. This quilt stirs a lot of emotion in me.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing. I worked in the Veterans Hospital in
Vancover, Washington as a Candy Striper during Viet Nam, on the amputee
ward. So many gave so much.
Hugs Allie
have missed your inspirations, posting, etc...with Vintage Vogue Janet scaling back, Di Van Nierck ending her business, Pat Winter pulling back with her stitching ...somehow I feel that crazy quilting is waning and I love the techniques, inspiration, stitches and all that it has brought into my life...so welcome back and stitch on and keep inspiring us! Mary in Austin
ReplyDeleteMy first thought when I saw this was extreme sadness. It made me want to cry thinking about all the young men lost in that terrible war.
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful in many ways. Please give my regards to your friend and maybe some day she will tell us the story behind this.
Hugs
FredaB
Stunning.......breathtaking.........it 'says it all' !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete