Each heirloom quilt represents generations of artistic design
Whole cloth quilts from the middle ages still exist in museums around the world. Since then, artists from all over Europe and America have added distinctive aesthetic features and unique techniques that combine to form an incredibly rich and diverse body of quilting tradition. From that tradition, I have chosen the most exceptional construction and stylistic features for my precious baby quilts.
It all starts, naturally enough, with the fabric
The fabric of a quilt is the foundation and background of the design. It must be soft, yet durable. It must hold stitches well, yet give naturally. It must delight the senses and age with grace and dignity. I have therefore chosen to use Kona cotton for my standard quilt fabric. Kona cotton is 100% cotton broadcloth with a high thread count and a weight of 4.3 ounces per square yard. It is renowned as a quilting fabric and well known as a soft, beautiful fabric that is extremely durable. Kona is available in a rainbow of colors, but my standards are the traditional snow white and antique bone.
The batting gives body and softness to the quilt
Numerous batting materials are available, each having it's own unique features. For my quilts, I have chosen a standard (and traditional) batting material of organic cotton. This 100% natural material contains no dyes or pesticides or chemicals of any kind. It helps to create a breathable, lightweight quilt suitable for everyday use. If you prefer, I can also use silk, wool, bamboo, or flame retardant batting in your quilt in place of the cotton.
The thread holds it all together
My decorative top thread is 100% silk filament. This YLI 40WT filament silk thread is extremely durable and strong, has a beautiful rich luster and, with proper care, will last for generations. My structural bottom thread is Mako 50WT cotton by Aurifil. This 100% Egyptian long staple cotton thread is well known as a durable and beautiful quilting thread. The distinctive and complementary characteristics of these two threads work together to give your quilt the ideal combination of structural strength and soft beauty.
The designs combine traditional elements in original ways
Each of my quilt designs is unique and original. I have reviewed and studied dozens of heirloom and show quality quilts, carefully examined the detailed characteristics of hundreds of distinctive design elements (some steeped in tradition and others completely new and original) and synthesized them into a generous pallette of shapes and textures that is distinctly mine. Using that pallette, I am creating a growing library of quilt designs that incorporate the traditional elements of couture style in brand new ways.
The quilting is the quilt
All of the elements above, the fabrics and batting and the thread and the design, merely provide the canvas for a whole cloth quilt. The true essence and artistry of the quilt is evident only when you view it, in person, from less than a foot away. Only then will you see the thousands and thousands of stitches perfectly aligned and arranged and the true aesthetic beauty of the quilt. I can't, unfortunately, give you a live in-person view of my quilts to let you see and appreciate their true beauty. I have, though, set up the photos on this site so that you can click on them to zoom in for quite extraordinary close up views. Please, zoom in and take a look. I love to make them and I believe that you will love to own (or give) one.
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Exquisite Nursery Decor
