Friday, September 30, 2011

Tumbler Top

My little Tumbler top is done!
I guess I hadn't trimmed the long edges before I shot this photo.....but quite soon I will show you the completed doll quilt.
I took it along to the AQSG seminar in New Jersey last week and got about halfway through the hand quilting in 'found' moments...it's one of the really nice things about working in this size!

Here's a look at the back side. I do love how nicely the seams work with hand piecing.


And the pressing.....this is my nifty little vintage GE travel iron. You screw the little plastic water bottle onto the side when you want steam. I got this at an antique shop very inexpensively and have seen them quite often. It's a nice size to have on my small pressing pad near the machine. I use a hand towel over the surface of the pad when pressing tops or applique blocks for a nice flat finish.

While I'm thinking of it I must respond publicly to the comment/question my non-quilting friend posted about my Bull's Eye quilt post. She said, "Is this a historic thing? Would all the pioneer women sit around and spend time putting circles together, cutting them apart, and putting them back together??
Dearest friend I love your input and I love knowing that a non-quilter (though a friend of over 50 years!) - is interested in my ramblings.

I would say no, of course, to your specific question. But you are not alone in being curious about why quilters cut fabric into small pieces only to sew it back together again in some form or fashion.
Quilting has evolved as have other arts and crafts over time. Today's quilters have many more options and resources. The scope is broadened as the artistic aspects of the art join the desire to make useful bedcovers. People who love textiles can't stop exploring new and exciting ways to be creative within their medium.

One of the research papers just presented at the AQSG seminar included a quote from sociologist Marybeth C. Stalp. She may provide some insight,  "...it is non-quilters who admire and focus solely or primarily on the product - the finished quilt - while quilters give far more emphasis to the process of quilting. The production of a quilt is often as important as, or even more important than, the finished quilt itself." (Uncoverings 2011 p.98)

Most of us have made all the quilts we NEED. The joy can be in the 'doing' - the many components of the process from design to trying new techniques - that gives us pleasure separate from the end product. Maybe that's why some of us can never get enough and why we can't always answer the question "Who is this for?" or "Haven't you made enough quilts?"

Quilters, currently for you.....
  Process or Product ?
Please share your thoughts by clicking Post a Comment below this post



9 comments:

  1. As a beginner I think that it was all about the product. I didn't enjoy the process then, but I wanted the finished product. Now, decades later, I enjoy the process AND want the finished product.

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  2. Oops, forgot to say that I love your little tumbler quilt!

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  3. Love your little quilt. Years ago a speaker at a guild meeting said her quilts were like her children. I have never forgotten that statement. I relate a lot to the nurturing aspect of making a quilt. And I love the fact that the quilt can't talk!

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  4. Great little tumbler Jean. Even better I got to see it in person.
    I'm a process person - pass on many products ;-)

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  5. It is all about the doing. And you are so right about people asking why!...who is it for....what do you do with them.....Answer is always "enjoy them" and "making them is the real enjoyment"

    And I love that little quilt you are working on!

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  6. Wasn't seminar AB FAB!!! Don't know how anyone else can top it. Your tumbler quilt is very charming. Makes me want to harvest some antique fabrics from some 'cutter' quilts.
    Take care

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  7. Yes! Seminar was great. I want to post about it but now it's getting to be old news! I may anyway.
    I do have my tumbler quilt done so will post soon with that. Things will slow down for me after this weekend so I hope to keep my blog more active after that.

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  8. Yes! Seminar was great. I want to post about it but now it's getting to be old news! I may anyway.
    I do have my tumbler quilt done so will post soon with that. Things will slow down for me after this weekend so I hope to keep my blog more active after that.

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  9. The non-quilter here and thanks, jean for all the kind words. I never really thought about process/product before. I'm trying to draw parallels about other activities. I enjoy making complicated recipes at times when simple ones would still "feed the family". More to think about it and again thanks for the explanation.

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