Throwback Thursday: Vespers at Peddie, 1983

I went to a small high school in New Jersey called Peddie. There were less than 550 students, and many of us lived in dormitories on campus. Each year before the holidays, there was a Vespers service in the school chapel. In 1983, my photography teacher, Noah Hotchkiss, suggested I go up to the balcony with my camera on a tripod and a cable release to work the shutter. This photo is the result. I think about Mr. Hotchkiss when I see this photo, and I wish he was still around so I could thank him. He was an excellent teacher and a kind, humble man.

Wordless Wednesday: The Booze Barge

Throwback Tuesday

2014: I thought it would be a good idea to print my designs on fabric using Spoonflower, because I really don't know how to sew very well. With some effort and a little help from Michelle Freedman who offered me instruction at Modern Domestic, I got the top done for a small, four-block sample on December 10th. After that, Jolene Knight quilted it, and she did a superb job!

In 2016, the quilt was included in a biennial juried exhibition at the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum. Later in the year, it reappeared at the museum as part of my New York Beauty exhibition. I have fabrics to make a larger version of this quilt. Soon it will be time to sit down and do it. 

Believe it or not... (part 2)

Log Cabin from Hawaii, 38" x 46"

Here is the second of the two "Believe it or not...it's from Hawaii" quilts. This one is a Log Cabin. Other than the color palette, there isn't much of a clue that it's from Hawaii. It was made with mostly quilting cottons.

The quilt was most likely made in the later years of the 20th century, when polyester was out, sources of Hawaiian prints were drying up, and quilting cottons were in.

It was probably made before the era of long-arming, since it is tied rather than quilted.

The backing fabric is an interesting print with figures in a landscape, but it doesn't look Hawaiian.

It would also be a reasonable guess to say the maker was not the most experienced quiltmaker. The block centers are out of place, and the left side blocks seem to be in disarray. I like it, though. It's something a little different, representing the time that came time after my Hawaiian scrap quilt focus period.

Believe it or not... (part 1)

late 20th century scrap quilt from Hawaii, 48" x 56"

Believe it or not, this quilt came from Hawaii. The fabrics are not Hawaiian print, but they are scraps, wonderful plaid flannel scraps. No doubt they came from some kind of garments, most likely shirts, but they also remind me of bathrobes I've had. Not in this century, though.

I found it and another quilt through Craig's List about a year ago, and never got around to photographing them until now. Both quilts are a little off the grid because they were made more recently, when quiltmakers used fewer Hawaiian garment scraps.

The diamond design is made of dark and light triangles, plaids and solids. It is 48" x 56" and made some time in the late 20th century, 1980s or 90s.

Obviously it was well-loved. There is some wear to the fabrics, and a small hole in one of the plaid patches. I love how the plaids don't line up.

Double WOW!

1970s Hawaiian scrap quilt, 91" x 107"

Two quilts just arrived, and Double WOW! The first is a monumental scale Hawaiian scrap quilt. It is actually an edge-finished patchwork bedspread, string pieced on cloth foundation with no batting or backing.

However, it is more than a quilt top because of how it is finished. Even the seams on the back are finished. If it was a top, the edges would probably be raw. It is 91" x 107", full of Hawaiian prints, bright, beautiful and intriguing!

The second quilt is a polyester zigzag from Ohio. What a fun, graphic quilt, and it has a great border!

It is 85" x 95" and includes mostly polyester double knit fabrics with a green and white cotton print border.

Double WOW! Christmas came early at my house. I was a good boy this year, most of the time.

Coming Soon (4)

This string-pieced, edge finished Hawaiian bedspread is coming soon. Check out all the great fabrics, and the nice, narrow strips. The thing is huge, 91" x 107", so it's nice that's just a spread with no batting and backing. It won't be too heavy, even though cloth foundation does add weight.

Can't wait for it to arrive. It's a nice addition to the Hawaiian scrap quilt collection.