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| Polyester Pinwheels |
As my New York Beauty exhibit is winding down, I've found a new obsession. 70s quilts! Last year I found one that I call "Wild Thing" and I blogged about it. At the time, I was baffled by the quilt because it was so far removed from anything I'd ever collected. Then I realized why I was drawn to it. I was born in the 60s and grew up in the 70s. Double-knit polyester may not be "the fabric of our lives" but it was the fabric of my childhood.
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| The quilt I call "Wild Thing" |
I brought one of the recent acquisitions for show and tell at the last Northwest Quilters meeting, and I think people were puzzled but amused. One friend sitting toward the front made a funny face, as if she'd just bitten into a lemon. The quilt was wonderfully kitschy, very bright and colorful, and as I mentioned to the group, there's not much need to store it in archival materials. As long as I keep it away from an open flame, we're good.
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| The quilt I brought for show and tell |
Even though I'm sure many quiltmakers might be horrified by the idea of double-knit polyester being a thing of beauty, there's something very optimistic about these quilts. I can envision a whole museum space full of them, and the effect it would have on viewers.
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| Nine-Patch made of double-knit polyester |
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| Double-knit polyester "Windowpanes" string quilt |
Some folks wouldn't even consider 70s quilts to be vintage, but as I've said before, "All new quilts become old quilts, and everything old is new again!" These quirky, kitschy quilts are tomorrow's antiques. So I'll be looking at the bottom of garage sale piles, in Goodwill, and on eBay for more of those 70s quilts.
These quilts are all so wonderfully graphic! I love the look! And I grew up in those same polyesters.....so yeah, it's a nod towards nostalgia.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking you could have quite a collection going, and it won't cost you anywhere near what one of your other quilts cost! These just might catch on! :o)
When I look at these quilts, I think "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!" (The Brady Bunch). LOL!!
ReplyDeletelove these quilts!!! so much easier to love polyester in photos, rather than when you're actually touching it.
ReplyDeleteThey are pretty much indestructible too!
ReplyDeleteThe colours are so vibrant. I agree a quilt is a quilt is a quilt. If it's beautiful who cares what it's made from.
ReplyDeleteI agree, these quilts are treasures. Love the kitschy look. I've beaten you to a few of them at the Seattle thrift stores!
ReplyDeleteThere's something so quirky about these quilts that makes them likeable. I was a kid then too, and even had a calico patchwork sleeping bag that has similar color combos. It must be a navy, red, kelly green, baby pink and blue thing. Some of these may even be 80's quilts. On rare occasion, I've helped customers with choosing backing fabric to finish quilts like these. Once stuck in grandmas's closet as a quilt top, now they want to finish them for posterity.
ReplyDeleteThe world may be ready for 70s quilts!! Hooray!!!
ReplyDeleteI really miss the 70's....it was a simple time. Thanks for the trip down memory lane:)
ReplyDeleteI just bought a 70's quilt in turquoise and red because at an antique store (and not for $15 either!) because I just could not walk away from it! I think you're right...a 70's quilt exhibit would be great!
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