quiltersmuse.com Blog

Initially, I had named this blog, “The Spider’s Web.” I had reasons, none of which I explained. The “Spider’s Web” is a traditional quilt pattern that is rather fun to make.

A true spider’s web is an intricate collection of silky “threads,” closely interwoven and designed to catch prey…to eat later.

However, I would never think of devouring my readers. Rather, I like to ensnare them in my thought processes so that they can think and come to their own conclusions.

I love Victorian times, and the embroidered spider webs and spiders of Victorian age Crazy Quilts have always enchanted me. I appreciate spiders and their marvelous talent at weaving…for food. However, I don’t particularly appreciate their hunting when they decide to try their handiwork in a corner of my living room ceiling! The same work of art would be fully appreciated between slats on a fence, outside, with the early morning sun making the web’s dew sparkle.

I listen to my readers. One of them told me today that she does not like the spider web association, and that perhaps I should call my blog “from the cotton balls,” or something more light hearted.

For my part, I could call it “from the cuckoo’s nest,” or “the loon’s call,” and be just as happy. You see, for all the serious “stuff” I write, I do have a sense of humor, and that is often directed at laughing at myself. Maybe the Blog does not need a name at all, but I will be happy to accept any and all suggestions.

A rose by any other name smells just as sweet.

Pat

pat@quiltersmuse.com

You have all heard the expression, “Making Something out of Nothing.” I have always wondered about this phrase and today, I woke up pondering its meaning. How can someone make something…from nothing? I guess that all depends on the intent of the word “nothing.” What comes to mind, first of all, is a children’s book that is on the fringes of my memory. It was called, “Stone Soup.” Apparently, the woman had nothing to eat and began to make a soup by boiling a stone. The details of the story are vague in my memory, but somehow, I recall that she ended up with an edible concoction, after being able to add this, and that.

Life is a series of making something out of nothing. We are all born into this world without a stitch of clothing, and howling at the indignity of being thrust from our warm, comfortable, nurturing “home.” Who we choose to be and what successes we have are a result of hard work. We “make” something of our lives, or….we don’t.

That said, whether we are crafting our own lives or making a quilt, we still start out with raw materials, not exactly with “nothing.” We have the help and guidance of other people, first of all, our parents, or those who raise us. In making a quilt, we start with thread, fabrics, needles, and a pattern of our own design or one of someone else’s vision. While it is true that we do not all begin with the exact same opportunities, what matters most is what we do with the talents we possess.

There is great satisfaction in creating a material object “from scratch” – another expression that would be a bit baffling to a non-English speaker.

In thinking about this concept, in regards to quilting, Challenge quilts come to mind. They are always interesting to compare at quilt shows. The idea behind them is to have participating quilters use a group of pre-selected fabrics to create a unique quilt of their own design. In a sense, this is working from “scratch,” the “scratch” in this case, being fabric.

Another interpretation of the expression, “Making Something Out of Nothing,” is to exaggerate the inconsequential, i.e. to give more “weight” to a subject than what it merits, to make “too much of something,” “to make a mountain out of a molehill.”

Language holds many levels of meaning. Expressions that we take for granted, like “making something out of nothing,” and other phrases can provide food for thought. Now, I hope that I’ve not made “something out of nothing,” in writing about this topic. (very big grin)

Make it a great day!

Pat

Good morning,

I hope my headline is not too misleading. I have no intention of talking about the color of one’s skin. That is a TOTALLY different issue, and one that none of us has ANY control over. No, when I asked, “What Color Are You Today?” – I was thinking of how we choose to dress ourselves and the impact that choice makes on others around us.

Do you consciously put a lot of thought into the colors of the clothes you choose? Without a doubt, we choose colors we like and which look good on us. What is our point of reference? For me, my mother always complimented me whenever I wore something pink. That was one of her favorite colors, and both she and I looked good in pink. On the other hand, I adore the color orange, but have learned never to wear it. With my complexion, the color orange, worn near my face, is not complementary.

There are classic color combinations that seem to always work well, whether in a quilt or on a body. One of those is red, white, and black. That is why quilts with black and white checkerboard patterns in borders always seem contemporary, surprising, and just plain fun. It’s also why a black skirt, a white blouse, and a red sweater always look good together.

Another sure-fire combination is red, green, and white. These colors are cheerful together, and that’s probably one reason why we see so many antique quilts from the 1850s onward, with that color combination. Of course, wearing those same colors is primarily reserved for the Christmas season.

Traditionally, black represents loss and mourning – that overwhelming sense of desperation and sadness. At the same time, the color black can appear elegant, as in a beautiful dress, possibly with a gold belt, for evening wear.

Black fabric “habits” with white accessories were the traditional garb of nuns, such as the Sisters of Mercy. In that case, the dress symbolized their adherence to the strict rules of a religious order, and subservience, according to their faith.

The color Red has many associations, a few of which are anger, war, and power. The suggestion is frequently made to business women to wear the color, when giving a formal presentation. That is part of the concept of “power dressing.” Close relatives, the colors Magenta and Purple, have been highly prized colors, and have at times been reserved for wear only by royalty.

Green and Blue and “cool” colors, temperature-wise. Blue makes us “feel” cooler, when seeing the color worn by other people. Yellow, on the other hand, is the color of warmth and joy, reminiscent of the sun. Not everyone can wear the color well, but blondes look great in it.

Think about your mood when getting dressed for the day. Have a heightened awareness of the colors you choose to wear, and think about what “image” you want to project, for the day, and how your choice of colors may affect others.

Gray is a neutral color, being the combination of both black and white. The color looks stunning on people who have gray hair. Add a pink scarf to a gray sweater, and you’ll probably get a lot of compliments.

Color choices, whether in clothes or in quilts, and how they affect our emotive reactions, is a fascinating subject. I could chat about this longer, but I have to go decide what colors I will “be” today. Have fun!

Pat

Quilts have been around for a very long time, ever since the discovery that two layers of fabric with a substance sandwiched between them, and sewn together, were far warmer than one layer. Of course, that simple idea has evolved into the mindboggling occupation/preoccupation that we call “quilting” today.

A startling thought is that so many people, in the general public, think that a quilt is something purchased at their local department store or mail order company. They have not seen, nor do they know about the richness of quilt history, nor the stories of the individual quilt makers, or quality of their quilts.

Luckily, today, organizations such as Alliance for the American Quilt, have an oral history project that will save interviews with notables in the quilt field, who can make it to major shows to be interviewed. They are also saving quilt-related ephemera, in their “Boxes Under the Bed” project.

Like them, the American Quilt Study Group promotes understanding of particular quilt subjects that are of interest to its members. The journal, “Uncoverings” publishes seminar papers whose topics are diverse. Among this year’s study areas was a particular redwork quilt with signatures of members of the Ku Klux Klan, a notorious and usually very secretive vigilante group (that exists even today).

Another fascinating subject is that of the Jewish women of Baltimore who made Baltimore Album Quilts. Before now, all have assumed that only Methodist and Reform Church members made them, for departing ministers, or as presentation quilts.

We never know what topic of interest will show up, via American Quilt Study Group research, but publications and papers are far from dry, dull, or boring. Careful regard is given to scholarship and correct facts. Of course, any written history is subject to revision as new information is revealed.

Whether one likes old quilts, or prefers contemporary ones, there is something for everyone in the quilt world, which, by the way, is also a haven for those who like to collect and/or just “stroke” fabrics. I believe it was the late Doreen Speckmann who had a standing response ready for any sales clerk who would ask what she was going to “do” with her fabric purchases. “I am going to take it home, love it, and pet it.”

Life is short. Pet your fabric…today!

Pat Cummings