lectures
Lectures include a 45-60 minute talk and either a slide presentation or Trunk Show of approximately 20 quilts. Questions and Answer as time allows. Lectures can be modified to the group's interest. Trunk Shows arranged for Guilds and meetings within driving distance of Kingston, Ontario only unless the group is willing to pay for shipment and insurance for my quilts.
Creative Quilt Design
The current trend toward Art Quilts today lead us toward use of original design and creative machine and hand work in our own quilts. What is fueling this creative movement and how do you make the decision to get on board? This lecture will share many of the ways you can approach taking the first steps toward creative and original designs for your quilts. I will share a number of Art Quilts with you, and talk about the tips and special effects that will draw the viewer closer to take a second look at YOUR quilts. Use of colour, original hand painted and dyed fabrics and wonderful machine and hand stitchery all add to the creative appeal.
Free Form Patchwork - In The Gees Bend Tradition
Spend an afternoon or evening exploring the unique and exciting work created by the Gees Bend Quilters of Alabama through the sharing of stories, a collection of small reproduction quilts I have pieced in the tradition of these delightfully creative quilters who make the art of quiltmaking fun, exciting and diverse - how they use their everyday fabrics to create dynamic and visually stimulating designs. I will share my philosophy using "NO PATTERNS" as the foundation for creation of original design and will demonstrate how to use "utility quilting" that is fast, fun and easy to finish your Free Form Designs. This lecture is dedicated to quiltmakers who are ready to begin developing their quilts beyond the traditional form and move to the new generation of quiltmaking skill that continue to excite and delight quilters all across North America inspired by the Gees Bend Quilters.
Heritage Quilts Of Ontario
Antique quilts are still very much an interest to quilt makers everywhere and I love to see the faces light up when quilters see the quilt designs they are familiar with and still love to duplicate in their own work. I have stories to tell about each of the approximately 20-30 quilts I will share during my Trunk Show - from Log Cabins to Crazy Quilts, from the beautiful Carolina Lily my grandmother pieced to the quilts that I have collected from families who had inventories of quilts that no one wanted and didn't know what to do with! I will talk about collecting and saving the quilts from destruction or being used as "motorcycle covers" and worse. I will share the delightful story of the Buchanan sisters of the Sharbot Lake area here in Southeastern Ontario who pieced quilts together and always made two of everything - one sister's quilts would be used up and the others "saved" for future sharing and now reside with the Agnes Etherington Art Centre collection in Kingston .
Guild or group members are welcome to bring their quilts for sharing and to learn more about their history after my talk.