I was able to get to the New England Quilt Museum last week when we were in Lowell, MA.
The special exhibit was Southern Quilts. I'm going to share a few of my favorites!(they all were!)
CELEBRATING TRADITIONS, HISTORY, AND DESIGNS
Mary Kerr, Guest Curator
The American South has a rich quilting history, steeped in tradition and passed down through the generations. The glorious designs, colors and patterns are unique to this region of the United States. The quilts created here reflect the influence of multiple cultural traditions brought to the region over the last four centuries.
The theme of make-do has been present during every era of Southern quilt making history. Leftover fabrics and blocks were never discarded, but mixed, matched, and used in creative and unexpected ways. This quirky attitude adds to the charm of Southern pieces. It was a way of life that has allowed quilting traditions to survive.
In this exhibition, quilt historian Mary Kerr has selected quilts that show us why Southern quilts have a distinctiveness that sets them apart from other regions of America.
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It's the quilts with the mismatched points, the odd patch of a different fabric or pieced from bits, the mended parts, or the quilting not quite up to snuff, that catch my attention and make me do an internal squee of delight. Not saying we shouldn't strive to our best! Still, those "perfect" show quilts, while nice, don' t give me that curl up and snuggle feeling the so called flawed ones do.
ReplyDeleteAs to that person's insinuation...meh to them. Wear that "not perfect" badge with honor not only for the past quilters, but for today's quilters who are still learning the craft/art, and beating themselves up over their efforts.
Well, I bristled on your behalf when I read that you are not a good quilter .... I would like to dispute that person's comment! Quilters in the past and current quilters, we all make our own quilts our way because that is what our hearts tell us to do. What kind of hardships did these old quilts go through? These old quilts are not perfect but how lovely they are and my heart goes pitter patter when I see a photo of these old quilts on a bed. To know that they kept someone warm on a cold winter's night ... well, in my opinion they are perfect!
ReplyDeleteI love the quilt with the nine-patches and diamonds. (Like you, I really love them all!). Dot
ReplyDeletethese are all beautiful, lovely, and oh so desireable!
ReplyDeleteYou are sew Lucky. I love The New England Quilt Museum. I would love to go every year.
ReplyDeleteVery Happy you captured some quilts for us. I love the patches as well. it is exciting if I find one on a quilt I have purchased. That is IF YOU don't beat me!!
Thanks for sharing these beauties, the love put into their making shines through with every stitch and patch. Perfection is highly over-rated.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilts, loved them all.
ReplyDeleteI can personally attest to the fact that you are an awesome quilter and I am honored to have a quilt you made hanging in my home ❤️
ReplyDeleteLori, my comment was published as anonymous…it was me…duh
ReplyDeleteI am honored to have a quilt made by you for me hanging in my home
Thank you so much for sharing these perfect quilts. How I wish I knew more about the quilters who made them!
ReplyDeleteI am astonished at careless, hurtful remarks made by a few people and hope that you can cast that off quickly. Our quilts may not measure up to "quilt police" standards, but they all tell wonderful stories and will warm the hearts of those who get to use them. Isn't using our creativity for something beautiful and useful a big part of why we quilt?
Thank you for sharing !! All the quilts are sooo beautiful but my fav goes to the second with the star in the medaillon center !
ReplyDeleteHere's to the "not so good" quilters, carry on.
ReplyDeleteA southern quilt maker here....perfection is BORING. Quilts made with loving hands (flaws and all) for lucky recipients are masterpieces. 🙂
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