Bestest Friend and I are doing a blog project. Each day we will write a blog post on a pre-determined themed chosen by a random noun generator. The theme for the eighth day of the month is "Art."
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I made a quilt once. I'm glad I did it and can check it off my list, but quilting is hard work and perhaps it will be something I return to at a later time in my life.
I remember going to the Smithsonian in Washington, DC and wandering around a gallery of quilts from US history. It imprinted on me because so many of the quilters were women and so many more were unknown. Maker unknown. Maker unknown. Maker unknown. So many women receiving no credit for hours of work, important work that kept family members warm, work that showed creativity while also serving a utilitarian purpose.
Back in the 1990s, when I was at the Smithsonian, there was a popular theory that there was a code in quilts that people who were enslaved used to direct people on the Underground Railroad. It seems as if this has been debunked, but it still seems to me that even if there was no code, there was still a message.
This quilt hangs in our public library, along with several other examples of quilts showcasing artists and locations from our town. But try as I might, I could not find a name on the quilt or a plaque telling me the name of the artist. Maker unknown.
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To see what Bestest Friend has to say about art, go visit her at Too Legit to Quit.
So many of women's contributions and accomplishments go unrecognized, even today. It's sad.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad and this quilt at the library made me question if we've made ANY progress!
DeleteYou make me want to go to the Smithsonian! We have a few quilts that have been handed down in the family and a quilt pattern from my great grandmother. I tried to make a quilt once, and gave it up after cutting a few squares and trying to sew them. It was just too frustrating. It's a hobby that I'd take up in a world with no TV, no internet, no books, and no jigsaw puzzles. But I am in awe of the legacy that has been left to us.
ReplyDeleteThe Smithsonian is amazing! There is a gallery for everything. There are so many NICHE buildings, too, like the National Postal Museum and National Museum of Asian Art. It's not all the Air & Space, which is fun, but not exactly the most obscure stuff, you know? I could go to DC for a week and see nothing other than Smithsonian exhibits!
DeleteWe had a friend who made a lot of quilts. I guess she still is a friend and probably still makes quilts, but she lives a long way away now. We bought one and have never used it. Maybe it was too expensive to put out.
ReplyDeleteNO! Put it out! Quilts are made to be used and they get sad when they're packed away in a trunk or a closet.
DeleteNow that you mention it, I have actually helped with a few quilting projects (just stitching, no planning). Handwork is not for me...but my Mom is an avid knitter and quilt-maker so we have quite a few homemade quilts. But - shhhh, don't tell - I prefer very soft, cuddly blankets on my beds/couch.
ReplyDeleteI wish the quilt I made was warmer. We have it on our loveseat in the living room, but I rarely put it on because we have a fleece blanket that's just infinitely warmer! I do love the look of a homemade quilt over a comforter on a bed, though, even if it doesn't add much to the warmth of the sleeping situation.
DeleteI wish I had the skills to make a quilt. But since I don't sew at all it would be an uphill battle for me. You should have included a picture of the quilt you made! It would probably be perfect for Florida- we like not-too-warm quilts here.
ReplyDeleteSewing with a machine is not too hard, especially on a quilt because it's mostly straight lines! I documented the whole quilt-making process on this blog and you can see a photo of the finished product here: https://ngradstudent.blogspot.com/2016/03/project-quilt-completed.html
DeleteThere used to be a retired surgeon who would work with us at the opera, being a supernumerary (extra) onstage. Because supers would often have long periods of sitting around rehearsal and backstage waiting to go on, he would sit in a corner and quilt to pass the time. I was always in awe of how neat and even his hand stitching was - maybe it came from his years of stitching people up?
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, though, every time I see a quilt hung up for display, I wonder if anyone actually would get to use that quilt as a blanket - it seems a shame not to. But then, it also seems a shame not to display the beautiful work.
All quilts are made to be used! If they're being used, they are on display! I'm pretty adamant on this one!
DeleteThis a sad reminder of how many accomplishments of women go unnoticed/undocumented.
ReplyDeleteNow that my mom is finally retired (she just retired 2 years ago and will be 75 this year!!!) she can finally pursue this as a hobby. She's gotten really into it and will be making a quilt for each grandchild when they graduate, and she's part of a quilting group at church, too. She is so talented. I know it is something I will NOT be taking on, though. I was horrible at sewing when I had to learn when I was in 4-H!
Sewing quilts is actually most straight lines unless you're doing super super fancy quilts with circles and the like, so I think a basic quilt is actually a good place to go if you ever are interested in taking it on!!
DeleteQuilts are amazing pieces of art (and still useful!). My grandma was amazing with all kinds of crafts (quilting, needlework, you name it) and you're right - it's sad that so many accomplishments of women have not been acknowledged.
ReplyDeleteI think it's also that art women do is frequently undervalued as art. I think it's telling that the sign at the museum said "Maker unknown" instead of "Artist unknown" because these are works of art!
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