The Pokeberry Quilt

The Pokeberry Quilt

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Why do I applique?

I made the statement on my group that applique changed my quilting forever, have been pondersing that statement ever since. I made lots of quilts before I discovered primitive folk art, those early quilts were just quilts for me, they didn't really speak to me or for me, when I started making primitive quilts, I found that side of my creative self that I could only express with applique, shapes and designs that layer my thoghts into fabric. Working with my hands in a slow, methodical expression of creativity that machine stitching fails to provide. A slow process by hand that lets me connect to the textures of fabrics, that renders a picture like a painting of fabric or replicate a picture that someone else must of dreamed about, or a scene that inspired them. I enjoy that process and expression.

5 comments:

  1. Anonymous1:10 AM

    You said it. It is so much more cosy to sit and applique by hand than by machine. And it gets more pretty done by hand

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  2. You express yourself so well Nancy, and I relate to all the reasons you name. There is just something special about appliqué - particularly primitive appliqué. All those piecers who call it the "A" word just don't understand the joy they are missing.

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  3. You are so right. While I enjoy sewing at my machine, there is just something special about the feel of the fabrics going through your fingers as you work with it. I always have something available for handwork -- you never know when you'll have even a moment to put a couple of stitches here and there.

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  4. As a lover of handwork I sincerely appreciate what you said. I discovered that I can applique by hand and do a nice job so I have a huge new love affair going with my needle and thread! LOL

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  5. Thank you for your post, Nancy. You have a beautiful way with words.
    I have just started needleturn applique and just love it. I love picking the fabrics that will make a picture, I love handling the fabrics, and love the intricate stitching. I do need to get back to my sewing machine.....but my recliner is so much more comfortable than my sewing machine chair. :-)
    Cathy

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