Memories of Lancaster
I was not able to attend the Lancaster Quilter’s Heritage Celebration this year. However, quilt artists Sue Reno and Michelle Verbeeck both very graciously took some photos for me. I’m using the picture Michelle sent to keep in my journal, and I’m posting here one of the pictures Sue took for me.
The quilt is called “Blushing Triangles 3” completed January 2008. My first 1st place, after 20 years of entering!
Twenty-one years ago (could it really have been that long?) on one sunny spring day, my husband and I were taking a drive in Lancaster County. We saw a sign for the QHS and decided to stop to see it. It was an amazing experience for me, and I was overwhelmed by everything. The following year I entered a quilt and was incredibly happy to be accepted.
I made this in 1988! Twenty years ago and my first entry into the Lancaster show.
I call it “Eastern Violets.” It’s made of Japanese fabrics and solids, and it’s pieced on a treadle machine and hand quilted. It’s a basic design that I did on graph paper.
“Reflections” made in 1989, my second entry into the show.
The following year I entered this “Reflections.” I designed it on kaleidoscope paper. But since I didn’t know about the kaleidoscope block, I made odd shaped templates and did a lot of set in seams! It’s also pieced on a treadle machine and hand quilted. The quilt is around 55 or 60″ square. Again, I was extremely happy to have the quilt accepted. That’s something my partner told me — the secret to happiness: expect nothing, be grateful for everything.
Here’s a close up. I have a dyed fabric in this quilt!
It’s now 20 years later. A lot of things have changed, but I am still thrilled when accepted into a show and a win is icing on the cake.
March 30th, 2008 at 11:51 am
How fun to see those early quilts. I see a similarity to your work now, but the evolution of your unique style is so apparent. Stitched on a treadle machine and hand quilted – wow!!
March 30th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
It is interesting. I haven’t looked at those old ones in a while.
Yes, a treadle machine. Prior I hand pieced. Geesh! A treadle, drawing the sewing lines, and starting and stopping on the intersections of the sewing lines was my progression from hand to machine. Gosh I’m a slow one!
March 30th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Congratulations on your long-awaited win. I can’t believe it’s taken so long; you make such marvelous pieces.
March 31st, 2008 at 12:09 am
Thanks Vivien! :)
March 31st, 2008 at 7:25 am
Gloria,
Congratulations again. I had no idea you are blogging now….what a pleasant surprise! Your early work is also fantastic. I’ll be staying tuned…
Mary
March 31st, 2008 at 7:46 am
Thanks Mary. And I’ll add you to my blog list, and I’ll be staying tuned too!
March 31st, 2008 at 11:26 am
Hey Gloria,
Congratulations! I also didn’t realize you were blogging, but I’ve bookmarked it now. I remember winning a ribbon for my Egypt Revisited at the Asheville Quilt Show a number of years ago–it was the one you used as a backdrop for the Sheltowee Artisans site. I attended the show and noticed that one of yours had also also won and I realized this show MUST be a prestigious one! It made me feel even better about my own ribbon. I always enjoy seeing your work.
March 31st, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Hi Jenny!
Thanks for the congrats and the kind words. Yes, your Egypt Revisited — wonderful piece.
April 2nd, 2008 at 9:10 am
This is the first time I have ever laid eyes on your quilts. They are truely amazing. I love the dizzying aray of colors, while I am not a quilter, I am a fabric artist. I have done my share of tie dye and shibori and I love color. When I look at your quilts, I wonder if you got dizzy looking at the twist and turns while you were making them. I especially like “EYE BEHOLD and HAIGHT FANTASY I”. I haven’t even seen the earlier quilts yet. It is wonderful for to artist express themselves with color no holds barred.
Thanks for the colorfuls jorney,
Debra
April 4th, 2008 at 12:04 am
Debra, thank you so much for the very flattering words. :)