Any Which Way by Janice Pettway
Today's post is all about the inspiration that many of us get from the Gee's Bend quilters. These first few photos are of their quilts which were behind the Stitchin' Post on show day.
Eccentric Star by Ruth Kennedy
Log Cabin by Lucy MingoailR
Railroad Crossing by China Pettway
Denim Block with Pink by Stella Mae Pettway
This is the Inspired by the Gee's Bend Quilters exhibit of the Central Oregon Modern Quilt Guild. This one got a lot of attention since it was right on the main road. Last fall we had a meeting at Christy's house and we watched a documentary about the Gee's Bend quilters. It was enough to inspire this challenge. Many chose to include old clothing and other recycled cloth, hand quilting and/or improvisational design. Enjoy!
Alabama Wedding Cake by Christy Merritt
Christy included hand quilting, old bed sheets, crazy piecing and courthouse steps as inspired by the Gee's Bend quilters.
Sleeping Babies by Aura Carr
Chevron by Lindsey Kiesz
Lindsey was inspired by the chevrons on the back of the World Cup Ref uniforms last year. She included hand quilting in honor of the Gee's Bend quilters.
Fanfare by Sarah Peery
Sarah's quilt was made with old silk ties, double batting and a linen tablecloth for the backing.
Barn Door by Laurie Hoyle, quilted by Don Masters of Singletree Quilting
Laurie was inspired by the use of old fabrics and local architectural details. She got the X from many local barn doors and used old fabrics such as jeans and bed sheets.
Spinning Around by Sarah Peery
Sarah used old clothing from her family including linen, silk and cotton fibers for the improvisational piece.
Bending Coins by Corni Quinlivan
Corni was also inspired by the use of old clothes. This is a modification of the common Chinese Coins pattern.
Log Cabin Variation by Kristin Shields
My log cabin interpretation includes old shirts given to me by a COMQG friend, an old Pendleton wool shirt given to me by another good friend, my son's old flannel pajamas, a linen tablecloth from a thrift store, and some new fabrics. I included both hand and machine quilting.
Bolin by Kayla Herriman
Kayla was inspired to use Pendleton wool remnants to make this quilt and realized later it would be the perfect wedding gift for friends.
Gee's Bend Treasure by Kristin Shields
This is my original inspired by Gee's Bend quilt. I was asked to include it in the exhibit to round it out. This was started during a class with the Gee's Bend quilters in 2009. It is signed by some of the Gee’s Bend Quilters: Mary Ann Pettway, Loretta P. Bennett, Revil Mosely, Lucy Mingo, Louisiana P. Bendolph, China Pettway and Florine Smith. In the Gee’s Bend tradition, I used fabric from cast off clothes from my daughter, son and husband as well as new solids.
Log Cabin Gone BIG by Jeanne Sellgren, quilted by Lori Gailey
Light Hearted Gee's Linen by Susan Mondry
Susan was inspired by the use of old clothing. She had a collection of old linen blouses that she used to construct this quilt.
Wasn't that a great exhibit? I could do this all day long, so it was right up my alley. Our next challenge is all about COOL colors. Stay tuned for next July to see that one!