Piece by piece

I am not a quilter. Like quilters, I love colors and patterns. I know my skill set well enough to know that the careful precision of quilting is not for me. Not to mention that I don’t even sew.

My maternal great-grandmother was an expert seamstress, and my maternal grandmother was a crochet whiz, but I did not get those genes or skills. I squeaked by high school home economics’ sewing class, in which I became familiar with a tool called a seam ripper. We did not make friends.

Quilters love the feel of fabrics. I definitely relate to creating art as a tactile experience. I enjoy getting dusty from the colors in a box of pastels. I am happy to have quilters in my life for many years who shared their form of creativity with me. One of them is my own dear sister-in-law. During a visit to their family when they lived in Germany, my youngest nephew, who was about 3 years old at the time, said to me, “My mommy makes queee-ilts. Awesome, huh?”

My appreciation for quilting and those who make them sent me to the 16th Triennial Quilt Show held on February 20 and 21 right here at our Atlantic Recreation Center, presented by the Amelia Island Quilt Guild. It was an absolute feast for the eyes, with a dazzling array of colors and patterns on display. I had not realized how many categories there were for types of quilts. This show even included a challenge category on the theme of Jimmy Buffett. The quilts ranged in size from small to the size for a king-sized bed. The quilts begged to be touched, which is why friendly, gloved attendants walked around to be sure people curbed their enthusiasm. The attendant would show an experienced quilter the back of the quilt if asked.

I marveled at the intricacy of the designs and patterns and the careful thought that went into their creation. In addition to that, the deft use of machines or the steady hand of hand sewing was amazing.

This is a process that cannot be rushed. In that, it is a very countercultural pastime. Sewing is an act of quiet strength and resistance, piece by piece.

The person who puts our words in front of you and edits them for publication is our Observer journal’s manager, Kathy Blacklock, who is also a quilter. I asked her to come out from behind her role and be quoted for this commentary. Here is what she said:

I first began quilting during the revival sparked by the Bicentennial and was drawn to the tradition and a connection to the past. The stories behind quilts and their makers continue to appeal to me as both a quilter and textile researcher. And in a digital age, I like that quilting means taking a break from noise, stress, or overthinking.

Near the entrance of the quilt show was a small display of vintage quilts from about 1900.

These pieces served to remind us that goods were not always readily available. Imported fabrics were very expensive. Fabrics that were available were repurposed again and again into children’s clothing, household items and quilts for beds. These were made to be used and layered against winter’s chill. One could look at a quilt made from scraps and remember where the fabric originated. Each piece told its own story.

In addition, a couple getting married did not have an online registry for gifts to be sent to their home from their preferred retailers. Instead, women in their family and local friends gathered and made a quilt for the couple's wedding. This gathering of women working together was called a “quilting bee.” Gathering to sew and quilt was another way to connect, piece by piece.

Not only was news shared, but stories and traditions were passed down. This communal activity provided a respite from the heavy work that was required daily and provided a forum in which women could socialize and, dare I say, strategize.

I love to think about the women all over our area who are quietly, calmly and methodically creating beauty. They are keeping a craft alive and adapting the latest technologies to help them do so. They are using time-honored patterns and skills. They are also creating new ones, as shown in modern quilts and art quilts. They are lovingly supporting community outreach projects and donating items to ease grief and to make life a little more colorful for others. In fact, over 500 quilts and other items have been donated in the last year and a half alone.

They remind us that something that starts out small can make a big difference. Each of us can find a way to make our corner of the world a little better, piece by piece.