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| Hexagon Flowers, c. 1970 |
Happy New Year! It's the time of year to reflect on the past and look toward the future, and the future looks bright! I know it's been a rough year for a lot of people, and I almost feel guilty saying how good a year it was for me, but I think I earned it.
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| 1970s Polyester Bowties |
On the heels of the Small Wonders, Timeless Quilts, and Beauty Secrets exhibits, I'm working on an exhibit of 1970s quilts to be displayed here in Portland in 2013. I expect this exhibit to stir the pot, because it will challenge viewers to see objects made of lowly, double-knit polyester as works of art.
Coincidentally, Roderick Kiracofe will soon release his new book, which will examine quilts from the mid century forward and will include 1970s quilts. We've both gotten a peek at each other's quilts through Facebook, and I'm excited. It's the perfect time for something new!!
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| "Rocky Mountain" aka "New York Beauty, c. 1870 |
There will still be time for something "old" in 2012, namely my collection of "New York Beauty" quilts...though I expect these quilts will be a part of something new in the new year and beyond. Plans are still in the works, but I'm aiming toward bring them to Lincoln, Nebraska, for the American Quilt Study Group Seminar, and I'm having discussions about future venues for the "Beauty Secrets" exhibit. Meanwhile, I'm still collecting these quilts. Now I have 50 of them!
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This and the other "New York Beauty" were acquired after
Beauty Secrets was published |
Coinciding with all the planning will be more documentation. The Oregon Quilt Project is soon going to get underway again, and I'll be helping to train the local volunteer group in Eugene to do photography, while making more information available online for groups around the state. I will also be documenting my own collection, and plan to include it in The Quilt Index. Busy, busy, busy - but it's a good busy! I wish all my readers much joy, good health and prosperity in 2012. Happy New Year!!
What a cheerful hexagon quilt. Perfect for waking up this morning. I think you're right - this is going to be a year of austerity for many people and there is going to be a lot of appreciation for the simpler/cheaper things in life. Good on you for recognising the beauty in thees quilts.
ReplyDeleteFor a couple of decades quilt books have told us to use 'quilt shop fabrics' in our quilts. Thanks to some rebel quilters we're going back to whatever fabrics. I had a suitcase full of dressmaking scraps and old clothes (no polyester but I have gingham, seersucker, flannel....), a pair of scissors and a sewing machine. I think it is going to be a fun quilt.
great quilts! Woohoo, I'm excited RK has a new book coming out. One of my favorite quilts is one from his personal collection,a Trip around the World quilt that I suspect was made of polyester.
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