What inspired you to make this quilt?
"My interest in the country of India led me to going on a textile oriented tour of India. Looking over the many photographs I took on the tour inspired the designs and colors of 'Saffron Splendor.'"
What do you like most about this quilt?
"I was happy how the 'fronds' turned out. They were a challenge to cut out and stitch. I also love the birds and little elephants. I found a 'tassel' stitch on my BERNNA 830 and used that to edge the elephant’s blankets. I was excited to find tiny sequins and had fun stitching each one on the quilt."
Were there any challenges you faced while making it?
"I use my home sewing machine to machine quilt and this was a challenge for me to manage the size of quilt while quilting."
What else might people enjoy knowing about your quilt?
"I like to point out that the quilt is all solid silk fabric (the only prints or patterned fabric used is on the elephant’s blankets. The detail on the background fabric is made by using the decorative stitches on the sewing machine to make designs."
What started your interest in quiltmaking?
"The first quilt I made was for my sister’s first child. Our grandmother had made each of her grandchildren a quilt and that made me think I should continue that tradition."
What is your quilting “story” up to now?
"I’ve been quilting for many years and been involved with small bees as well as large quilt guilds. I edited newsletters, took many workshops, taught workshops and written books."
What does quilting mean to you?
"I love that wherever I go, wherever I’ve lived, I’ve been able to find quilt shops, guilds and other quilters that share my interest. It truly is a world wide community."
What inspires your work?
"I’m always looking at old quilts and textiles, both from our country and around the world."
What are your quilting ideas and dreams for the future?
"I want to continue to study old quilts and keep using our modern machines to create my interpretation of those old treasures."
Research Notes
Notes
Awards Won:
Best of Show, 2015 AQS QuiltWeek – Grand Rapids, MI
NQA Masterpiece Quilt 2014
1st Place, LARGE WALL QUILTS: Home Machine Quilted sponsored by Baby Lock USA, 2015 AQS QuiltWeek – Paducah, KY
2nd Place Ribbon in the Wallhanging Large category, MQX East 2014 (needs confirmation)
