What is a Quilt?

My guild is proposing a new exhibition category called Abstract Art Quilts. They are going to be allowing entries with only two layers in this category only. I'm curious as to how other people/guilds view 'two-layer' quilts.

In my time on the exhibition committee the emphasis was always on the traditional definition. Under the Conditions of Entry published in the handbook, No.5 states "A quilt is defined as three layers of material held together by stitching at regular intervals, or by being tied at regular intervals." Is it proper to change that definition for one special-interest category? Can two-layer and three-layer items be properly judged next to each other? Can quilters entering in other categories make the case that they should be allowed two-layered items? Can a traditional quilt compete with an abstract art quilt for 'Best of Show'? Should they be in competition?

My Grandmother made this queen size quilt.

¹quilt

 noun \ˈkwilt\

Definition of QUILT

1

a : a bed coverlet of two layers of cloth filled with padding (as down or batting) held in place by ties or stitched designs

b : patchwork quilt 1

2

: something that is quilted or resembles a quilt quilt

 of houses and parks>

Origin of QUILT

Middle English quilte mattress, quilt, from Anglo-Frenchcoilte, from Latin culcita mattress

First Known Use: 14th century

My Great Grandmother made this double bed quilt.

²quilt

 verb

Definition of QUILT

transitive verb

1

a : to fill, pad, or line like a quilt

b (1) : to stitch, sew, or cover with lines or patterns like those used in quilts (2) : to stitch (designs) through layers of cloth

c : to fasten between two pieces of material

2

: to stitch or sew in layers with padding in between

intransitive verb

1

: to make quilts

2

: to do quilted work

— quilt·er noun

First Known Use of QUILT

1555

Quilting has been moving in exciting directions in recent years. We have seen the rise of new quilting styles like the Modern Quilt movement. Quilts are being recognised as great works of art and being sold for sums of money reflecting their true worth. There are new embellishing techniques and media other than textiles being used (i.e. pencils and paint). This is a great era to be a quilter. There are no bounds to what can be done.

Small quilt I made.

But at what point does a quilt stop being a quilt and become textile art? How does a guild dedicated to promoting the "quilt" deal with members who fit more properly in to the textile art category? Do they simply change the definition of quilt to pander? Or do you think they change the definition of quilt because how we quilt is truly evolving? There are certainly many historical examples of two-layer patchwork 'coverlets' that were viewed as quilts in their day. In our warm Australian climate does every quilt need to have wadding?

8" Art (?) Quilt made by me.

Purists will always have difficulties with change. But are we "throwing the baby out with the bathwater?" (i.e. too quick to discard something valuable.)

These are all interesting ideas and questions. I would love to have some feedback with your opinions.

From Wikipedia - Making Quilt Art:

A quilted work of art is generally defined as two layers of cloth held together by stitching. In most cases, a middle batting layer made of polyester, cotton, wool or silk is also incorporated.

Although quilt art originated in traditional quilting techniques, quilt artists now may use many different processes to create their artwork, including painting, dyeing, stamping, piecing, collage, printing (often incorporating a photograph printed onto fabric), appliqué, and other complex cloth processes.

Addendum: I had tea with a lovely non-quilting friend last night and briefly explained the issues. She stated that it would water down the essence of what a quilt is. What do you think?

Wonky Houses Done

Here are my finished wonky houses.

I will choose one at random to keep and send the rest to Jane.

Here is a smattering of the labels.

And a question of nutrition.

Is muesli still healthy if it's topped with Froot Loops?

The Mental Side of UFO's and Other Stuff

Finished is Better Than Perfect.

I've been telling myself this since my first project in 1996. And I have finished quite a number of projects. But I still have more than two dozen on a list, not to mention the ones I forgot about and aren't on the list. So while this is easy to say, it's not so easy to put in to practise. Does this mean a relaxation of standards? I don't think so. But it may mean a more realistic approach according to my skills and abilities.

A Mistake is a Design Opportunity.

I came across this concept in a book called black & white and pieced all over by Kay M. Capps Cross. It isn't always possible to re-do blocks, so she tells us to think about it differently and gives great suggestions on specific 'fixes'. This leads me to my next point...

Make it Work.

Karen used this expression in her recent post. Evidently a person named Tim Gunn uses it on a show called Project Runway. This show really puts people under pressure to create to a short deadline. Sould I do as Karen suggests and imagine Tim Gunn stopping by and telling me to Make it Work!! Karen's post also highlights my next point...

Does it Really need a Border?

I like simple framing borders, but for some reason I seem to procrastinate putting them on. I think a pieced border would make it even worse. Self-analysis of why I seem to self-destruct my project's progress reveals that I am putting off the basting and quilting. So essentially I'm lazy? Probably. Who knew quilting was so physical? I need to adopt a new attitude or make a lot of money to have someone else do these things for me. I think a good professional quilter is so worth it. Did you know that some of the professional quilters in my area have closed their books to new clients? They simply have enough work with their existing clients. So I am not alone, but I obviously don't have the disposable income they do. So I need to get in shape and get it done, and see point number one.

Is it Possible to Have too Much Fabric?

I want to say no, but I think the answer for me is yes. My fabric is in large plastic boxes (about 30) and is mostly sorted according to colour and style. But the boxes are stacked on top of each other so it means a lot of heavy lifting and shifting in a small space. When I pull fabrics for a project, the process has to be repeated to put them away, which I don't always do because it is so physical. (That lazy thing again.) So then I have messy piles around or shoeboxes shoved on shelves etc. I supppose I could spend hundreds of dollars on industrial shelves to put the boxes on, but that disposable income is a tricky business.

A Quilt is not a Quilt until it's Cat Approved.

On a lighter note, I was visiting Pam at Mama Spark's World. She's come home to find her cat sitting on her just-finished quilt. What is it about cats and quilts? Or dogs and quilts for that matter. It's one of life's mysteries.

So we say it all the time - must finish the UFO's, or the WIP's, or the PIP's. (A rose by any other name etc.) Maybe this year I will make some progress. There is a lot of helpful information on the web about getting motivated, getting organised, having a strategy.

In the end, I think I need to

Just Do It!

International Disturbed People's Day

I received these photos in one of those emails that gets sent around with words of encouragement and friendship etc. We are supposed to send it on etc. I don't usually mind getting them, and I even occasionally send them on. These photos particularly appealed to me so I thought I would share them with y'all. They are meant to be in honour of International Disturbed People's Day. (PS There is no official day so this is just an excuse for a bit of humour - and the world can always use more of that.)

dis·turb 

verb (used with object)
1. to interrupt the quiet, rest, peace, or order of; unsettle.
2. to interfere with; interrupt; hinder: Please do not disturb me when I'm working.
3. to interfere with the arrangement, order, or harmony of; disarrange: to disturb the papers on her desk.
4. to perplex; trouble: to be disturbed by strange behavior.
verb (used without object)
5. to cause disturbance to someone's sleep, rest, etc.: Do not disturb.

Origin: 1175–1225; Middle English disto ( u ) rben, disturben < Anglo-French disto ( u ) rber, desturber < Latin disturbāre to demolish, upset, equivalent to dis- dis-1 + turbāre to confuse Related forms
dis·turb·er, noun
pre·dis·turb, verb (used with object)

Synonyms 1. bother, annoy, trouble, pester.

The gist of the email is that even if you are a disturbed individual (as in a little off), your friends will love you and be there for you. Be happy in your life and forgive others. Live each day to the full and remember to dance like no one's watching. Worthy sentiments all.

The sheep are my favourite.

Some of my days recently have felt like this.

There are some very clever (a.k.a. disturbed?) people out there.

Happy New Year 2011!

This little flower grows and blooms and then is gone.

Our years flash by just as quickly.

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Now here we are at the beginning of a new year.

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2011

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Now we reflect on the years passed.

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Now we ponder the years ahead.

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We want a better year. To self-improve.

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We promise to make more time for... ?

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Resolutions. Promises.

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Are we really serious about making changes?

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To be healthier. To gain wisdom. Be more productive.

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To do... or not to do.

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Be true to yourself.

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Make good decisions.

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Every day is a new beginning.

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"The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.

The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26

Just to Clarify...

(photo google images)

Ron was my husband's younger cousin. They were quite close. He was only 45 when he died. His kids are the same ages as ours. I wanted to make a quilt for his wife Jo-Marie.

At first I was just terrified of touching the shirts in case I somehow ruined them. Around that time Bonnie Hunter published her book 'Scraps and Shirttails' so I got a copy and read through that. My husband wanted to select the pattern though and he chose the 'Turning Twenty Again' that he had seen me use before.

I got a good start at a retreat in April '09 and more progress at the next retreat in Aug '09. I kept at it with a little prompting from my husband. I seemed to have a mental block about it. I worked through all the problems with the fabrics and finally got the top together. My husband said I could pay to have it quilted (not usually in our budget) and a friend who has a quilting business did it for me. It took a little while for me to bind it but I finally put in the last stitch. The label will go on in the next few days - we are pondering what to put on the label - the basics plus a little more info about Ron.

In finishing this quilt I feel a little weight off my shoulders. I had to really push through some creativity barriers as well as a few psychological. I recently read on Jacquie's blog (Tallgrass Prairie Studio) about a book called 'The War of Art'. It's a book about breaking through the barriers to our creativity. You can read Jacquie's blog post here. My local book store couldn't get the book for me (imagine that) but I easily sourced it online. It's been ordered and hopefully I should get it in the next week or so. I’m thinking that this book will help me to gain control of my quilting life – to help me finish those UFO’s (let’s not kid ourselves by calling them anything else) and gain control of my stash - to break the life-long habit of procrastination…

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Do you have barriers to your creativity?

Do you procrastinate?

What do you do to break through?