Freedom to Create

It is so very interesting to me how things come full circle.

When I was first introduced to quilting in 1996 I had no idea where it would ultimately take me.  I studied fine arts and worked as a watercolorist for many years and then in the 90′s I took on a new venture, owning a gallery.  It was during this time that I was fortunate to meet someone who introduced me to quilting.  I had no idea that this would redirect my creativity and return to my sewing “roots”.

I have always sewn (seems like from birth).  I think I was born with a needle and thread in my hand.  I loved making things and working with my hands. Yet,  I had never combined sewing with art.  In retrospect, I have no idea why.  I was very naive about quilting and embraced it in a way that  made sense to me; which was in an unconventional way; but I didn’t realize this at the time.  Co incidentally, the guild I joined had Gwen Marston on the schedule and I signed up.  I had no idea who she was or what she did.  Was I ever in the right place at the right time?  I had the treat of a life time!  I bought her book, Liberated Quiltmaking and she signed it.  I didn’t even know what we were going to liberate ourselves from!  I immediately took a liking to her; she is as fun as her work looks.  She announced that we were going to make things “wonky” and have some fun.  Yet, “good sewing skills and techniques are required as well.”   Hmmm….I knew how to sew really well, “but what is ‘wonky’ ?,  I asked; I soon found out.  The class was loads of fun.  We cut and sewed pieces any ol’ way we liked.  But, at some point they had to be squared and stitched with accuracy, well sort of.  What I discovered was that I was already a liberal thinker, just hadn’t applied it yet.  Needless to say, I did not do much with traditional methods but I could if I wanted to; I just chose not too!  Now that book is sold out and going for $68 on Amazon.  She now has a new book, the second edition titled: Liberated Quiltmaking II.

I love spontaneity!  I prefer to explore using fabric and other mediums.  I get bored quickly.  Not all projects come together, but that is okay.  Those get recycled and end up used at some point.  Very rarely do I throw any art in progress away. I figure there is merit, I just have to find it.

Recently I discovered a new Yahoo! group Libquilters The members of this group follow and are inspired by Gwen’s work and books.  They discuss anything to do with Liberated quilitng as described on the home page.  It is a really fun group to belong to.  I am a new member and am happy I found it.

As I was working the last few days, I realized just how much I do function in a liberated manner; this has become second nature.  All these years I was sewing but not actually associating my methods to a liberated approach.  Now it all makes sense.

Recently a member posted a notice about Sisters out door quilt show held in July in the small town of Sisters, Oregon. I had forgotten about this event and this made me recall how I had planned to attend it some day, but never did.  How I enjoyed reading about the history of the show and the people who have made it so special.

The most amazing guests are the Gees Bend quilters who were invited guests last year, and plan to return in 2011.  Now that would be worth putting on the calendar!  In retrospect, I now realize how much of an influence those women and quilt designs handed down throughout the ages are a integral part of history that must have influenced Gwen.  The BEST realization is making the connection to liberation!

How poignant!  Those same women actually marched and participated risking their lives for social injustices in the South.  They fought for their freedom.  Their work reflects this determination and attitude.

I have come full circle; from 1996 to today I now understand the true meaning of liberated quilt making and how the freedom movement influenced the Gees Bend quilters and in turn Gwen Marston.  At the time, the Gees Bend quilters were unknown and and about to be discovered.  Now they are famous all because of simplicity and the isolation they had.  They made their quilts THEIR way.  No outside influences to spoil the fresh creativity.  Who would think that such a small little community would have such a huge impact on the world of quilting?  The key word simplicity speaks volumes and is a term that I plan to expand upon in future posts.