Last fall, on a total whim, with a screaming newborn baby in my arms, I submitted an application to South Arts In These Mountains Emerging Traditional Artists Fellowship. I was so sleep deprived, with a colicky newborn (my 5th, mind you) that I barely remember filling out the application. Imagine my utter shock when instead of a “We thank you for your application, but we regret to inform you…” email, I actually received a “We’re pleased to announce…” email. Utter shock!
In this application, I had to put forth a learning opportunity that I wanted to pursue should I be included in the program. While, unfortunately, my path has changed a little bit (more on that later), the end goal is still the same. Let me copy/paste from my application.
Our ancestors have made various patterns for hundreds of years - from log cabin patterns, to lone stars, to simple patchwork. As someone who has always loved history, I would absolutely adore the opportunity to really learn the history behind the patterns we create every day. I was watching a documentary the other day and learned that the log cabin block, that is very popular in KY, dates all the way back to ancient Egypt. I never would have guessed that the first large quilt I pieced was quite that old! I'd also love to learn more of the traditional patterns, and the history behind them.
I'd love to be able to travel to the quilt museum out in Paducah, KY, and take several days to explore it, and all of the materials they have there. I think being able to teach classes, either locally in person, or even online as video classes, where you not only can teach the art of the quilt itself, but also all the history behind the design, would be such a wonderful tradition to continue. I believe being able to purchase any books or materials needed would be such a huge blessing to not only my quilting, but to the quilting in my area.
Pretty cool to quote myself there, ha!
Unfortunately (and you could have knocked me over with a feather when I read this), the quilt museum in Paducah only has quilt pieces from 1980 forward. They don’t keep anything else in their collection. In order to truly study the quilts from the Era I’m wanting, I would have to travel to the International Quilt Museum in Nebraska. While that’s something that I may still do, it definitely won’t be this year. That sweet newborn is now 6 months old, but she’s a handful. I’m also exploring the possibility of going to the Appalachia Museum, and possibly the Southern Highlands Guild, if they have more of what I’m looking for. But, in the immediate future, I am buying books. Lots and lots of books.
Reading has always been my preferred way to learn, so I’m a little giddy about buying these books and having them right there to peruse. I really hope that it gives me more history to stitch into my quilting.
So, do you have a favorite book about historical quilting? What is it?
Have you been to the International Quilt Museum? It looks LOVELY and I hope that I’m able to visit it one day.
