| Quilting is a relaxing and creative process shared by people throughout
the world. It is an art form that has survived countless generations. And
although technology and lifestyle has greatly changed the way in which we design and create quilts, quilting remains
a form of expression.
Just a few centuries ago, women made quilts out of necessity for warmth
and comfort. At a time when creative expression for women was limited and
even discouraged, piecing and quilting became a very important form of
creative expression. Whether a pieced quilt, a scrap quilt, a pictorial
quilt, or a lavish crazy quilt, we find that women wrote their biographies
in the quilts they made, told about their status in the fabrics they used,
and painted their surroundings through the colors they chose.
I believe this is why quilts attract attention and draw us to them.
Similar to painting and photos, in quilts we discover history, depict a
story, and perhaps even experience a bonding with the creator. As a
result, we create quilts of our own.
Today, with the advent of the computerized home sewing machine and
embroidery machine, we have a marvelous and fascinating ability to express
ourselves through quilting in a brand new way. Today we can write words on
quilts. By doing so, we are able to preserve traditions, commemorate
events, document special times, and record touching moments.
Embroidering words on quilts is a creative process that is both fun and
rewarding. With a little imagination, a trip to the local fabric store,
and some inspiration, you too can express yourself in your own quilted
creations.
Consider the joy a new mom will have when you offer her the gift of a
quilted wall hanging that announces her newborn's birth, complete with
date, time, weight, and height. Think how special it will be to combine a
photo with words on a quilted pillow to honor a loved one. Reflect on the specialness
of offering a sister or friend a beautiful quilt containing a
special message in the form of a poem or letter, woven through the piecing
of the quilt top. As the pictures of quilts and quilted projects above
depict, the possibilities for expressing yourself through Embroidered
Words on Quilts are numerous. Truly, the possibilities are endless.
To get you started, you will find our newest book Embroidered Words on
Quilts, and our Embroidered Words on Quilts Pattern line provide
direction, illustration, and inspiration for combining embroidered words
and motifs to quilted projects. You will be delighted to discover that our
piecing methods are quick and easy. You are sure to savor the color photos
found within our publications, and like any fine art, return to them again
and again for inspiration... new rewards... and sheer pleasure.
Embroidered Words on Quilts began with fiber artist and quilt designer
Helen Stamm. |
