The Quilt Skipper

quilting makes me skip for joy

Jenny K Lyon

Quilting makes me skip for joy

Chicago IQF and a few other things

NoI’m on my way to Chicago today to teach at the International Quilt Festival. After the show I’ll head out with my oldest son to visit my Aunt and a few cousins as well as 2 high school friends-I’m excited about all of that!

This is one geranium plant, one! I guess it's happy we left.
This is one geranium plant, one! I guess it’s happy we left.

I’m randomly inserting photos of spring at the remodel. It’s going well and I just won’t show you the huge swaths of robust weeds at the house!

Lily-of-the-Valley from my friend Laura after my Mom passed, sniff.
Lily-of-the-Valley from my friend Laura after my Mom passed, sniff.

I do want to clarify what I wrote last week about my QuiltCon quilt-QBI-The Quiet Beauty of the Imperfect. One of the challenges I gave myself with that piece was to quilt all those straight lines without rulers because I don’t care to use them.

I enjoy the mix of color and texture.
I enjoy the mix of color and texture.

Based on some feedback I received I want to be clear-I don’t enjoy using rulers but that does not keep me from appreciating what others do with rulers! When I am at a show, I enjoy beautiful work no matter what the genre or technique. I follow and enjoy Amy Johnson’s Blog which is focused on ruler work.

Oh I love this Japanese Hokone Grass! It's a shade lover and I have it west facing-in the shade of a larger plant-aren't I clever?
Oh I love this Japanese Hokone Grass! It’s a shade lover and I have it west facing in the shade of a larger plant-aren’t I clever?

There seems to a trend of separating quilters/artists by category. It can be useful to call someone a Modern quilter or a traditional quilter. And categories certainly make sense in judged shows. But I feel a growing assumption that we each belong in a category and want to hang with our own. There’s also seems to be a thought that because a quilter/artist is working in one genre or technique, they do not appreciate the work of other genres.

Kangaroo Paw also seems to be happy we left.
Kangaroo Paw also seems to be happy we left.

All this is very subtle and I’m not even sure I am expressing this well enough for others to understand. One of my main messages when I teach is to build your own quilting world. It’s a wonderful concept and a privilege we have as artists. I started quilting by making traditional quilts and I was comfortable hopping around through various techniques and genres: applique, fusing, paper piecing, etc.

Azaleas.
Azaleas. And a finger in the way, sigh.

Eventually I was drawn to art quilting and I have pretty much stayed there for several years. Yet even now I am currently working a more traditional whole cloth quilt. I try to be patient with the process and let it evolve organically, not trying to force a path. I’m glad that I have done that. Who knows what I will be working on 2 years from now?

Front door pots.
Front door pots.

It is my hope for every quilter/artist to build one’s own creative world. Come on, let’s all Kumbaya.

Chicago here I come!
Chicago here I come!

So I’m off to Chicago. Traveling quilting teachers can never travel light. It was a real trick to get that all into one checked, one carry on and a “personal bag”. Traveling to a cold climate requires so much more clothing, whine. The only reason I don’t have another huge 50-pounder is that I shipped ahead. I’ll be linking Iup with Nina-Marie’s Off the Wall Friday. Wish me luck in Chicago-it’s going to be cold and windy-like that’s a surprise!

Comments

  2. Here! Here! I don’t do hand work. I’m good at it, however I don’t do it. A coworker recently let me know her displeasure at my comment about hand work not aligning with hers. That then had the opportunity of being a teaching moment, for both of us. A necessary conversation at that as we have to work together.

    Quilting is a journey of discovery, of different styles and techniques. I prefer the term “quilter” as it is much broader than “traditional”, “modern”, “art”, “long arm”, and all of the other identifiers. That said, there is some comfort in using those identifiers as they give the quilter a group of like-minded quilters to hang out with and discuss the finer points of that style and technique.

    And you’re on my bucket list of quilters to hang out with. :)

    • Teri great comments! I agree. And I’m jealous that Judy Coates Perez got to meet you in person before I did.

  4. Jenny your spring blooms are lovely. I thought you would like to know that the links for IQF and Nina-Marie’s blog are broken. ?

  5. Do enjoy Chicago and the home visits. Here’s hoping the home reno will be complete soon and you have a beautiful studio.

  6. Enjoying your garden pictures. I am going to attempt rulers not sure I am coordinated enough to use them with my longarm. I am amazed at the work some quilters do.
    Enjoy your visit after the show. Stay warm!!!!!!

    • Thank you Teri!I hope you enjoy ruler work-i just saw a quilt at MQX (on Facebook) with amazing ruler work.

  7. Really enjoy your comments. Thanks for the flowers they are inspiring too.

  8. Have fun in Chicago, in and out of class!!

    Regarding your thoughts on categories and being put in a category, I know what you are talking about. I don’t do all types of quilting, but I sure do enjoy being inspired by them!