something new

You've seen little peeks of this, but now I'm excited to share with you this project that is very near and dear to my crafting heart. It's a project that stemmed from my love of vintage patterns. I'm drawn to these for many reasons - the way in which it doesn't involve buying something new; the classic styles of the past that I love; and in general, I think - the connection to the past. I think a lot about the past of these little crispy-papered patterns - who might have made them before and when, who might have worn the results, and even who designed them. Which leads to all sorts of thought about clothing and gender and well, I told you I thought about them a lot. I'll spare you from going on (and on).

So from all that thinking came this series of little quilts - each inspired by a different vintage pattern, and each made entirely of vintage materials (right down to the thread). The foundation of each piece is an old quilt that was in disrepair beyond any other kind of use (seen in the photo above, on the 'back' of the quilt). Each piece - though quite different from one another-  has an embroidered dress as the central theme. I've been using the full spectrum of treasured vintage bits and bobs I have, including pieces of (unwearable) old dresses. I've worked on them slowly but steadily in the past few months - it's been one of those projects that sometimes has me bolting upright in the middle of the night with an idea. Love that.

This is the first of the quilts that I've framed. I'm not entirely convinced this is the framing solution I love, so I'm still thinking about other options (I'd love to use old and found large frames, but for all my thrifting luck, frames just don't seem to appear). These little quilts will be in a gallery show I'll be having in April of 2008, at Edith & Edna - to coincide with the release of the book. It's going to be a busy - and fun - spring!

Comments

[Amy]

This is GORGEOUS, Amanda! Really.

[bubbachic]

Beautiful, what a stunning way of immortalising all the little memories and beauty of your vintage finds and their past.

Dee
x

[mary]

Amazing. So very sweet and thoughtful.

[Sarah]

I love it--especially the red!

[Qalballah]

Had a little gasp. Very beautiful. As always.

[jean]

ah. finally. splendiferous.

[Qalballah]

Amanda, here is a link to a Flickr group I started today. I thought you might find it relevant?? (Homeschooling link)
http://www.flickr.com/groups/waldorfinspiredhomeschooling/

xx

[Nelly]

Very beautiful Amanda. Please, all, pray for my country. We are having really difficult times because of the fires, burning half of Greece.

[Stefani]

You never cease to amaze me. It's wonderful!

[cyndi]

breath-taking

[Bex]

Ya know, I love what you do. This is particularly beautiful.
Sometimes it freaks me out a little to read about it when it coincides with stuff I have been doing.
I just finished a mini quilt for my nephew using vintage indigo kimono peices . It's for his "Teddy".
I should have a piccy up in the next couple of days if you are interested in taking a look...
(Oh & Nelly, you are in my thoughts.)

[beki]

Oh, I love it Amanda! It's absolutely fabulous!!

[liz]

beautiful!!
so so lovely, sweet, and thoughtful.

[m]

So beautiful. You can feel the warmth and love that has gone into them.

I love framed fabric pieces. Have you seen Lori Joy Smith's work? Her stuff is primarily for children, but the thought that went into yours reminds me of her work.

Would love the opportunity to see the show. Perhaps you will be able to post photos once the show is opened (for us folks far from Maine)?

[camerashymomma]

these are beautiful, i love the feeling of bolting upright in bed, ready to put an idea to work, like some muse was whispering in your ear while you slept.

i often think of the vintage thread too, i have so many spools from my auntie bea, that i love working it into my skirts and knowing that i'm taking a piece of her with me.

thanks so much for sharing. these really are sweet.

[anna]

Just beautiful!

[nikki]

i am a mom to three rowdy wonderful boys and i read your blog everyday because it is a constant reminder of the important work we do--making a home of comfort, love, and safety. Creating a home through the slow work of making, caring, nourishing, being there. So often, i feel my feet on shaky ground--am i doing enough?, are my kids doing okay?, balancing our values against the pull of our fast paced society. but everyday, in reading your blog, i find my feet drawing down to solid ground, ready to begin again, doing what i know in my heart is my most important job! so, thank you! the quilt is beautiful and so is the story!

[Ella]

a lovely concept through and through down to the thread! Well done. Great use of a cherished stash. i love the dress stitching.

[hannah]

oh amanda...

[Alicia A.]

Beautiful, Amamnda. You have got it goin' on!

[Hope]

Fantastic! Sooo beautiful!

[Anna]

I just LOVE the embroidered dress. LOVE it.

[Meredith]

Beautiful!

[katie]

Wonderful! So lovely and thought-full. The connections to the past are so treasured in your work. Thanks so much!!

[amanda]

Oh, such beautiful work, Amanda! I love both the sentiment & the result. You're so inspiring!

[Margot]

I love what you've created! What a great way to treasure the "still good" bits of an old quilt. You really have made a beautiful thing with your ideas about the patterns over an already beautiful thng!

[heather]

wonderful intention amanda. just wonderful.

[tamara]

Really lovely Amanda. What a wonderful way to revive past treasures.

When you mentioned the frame an idea of using an old storm window pane (to frame the quilts) came to mind. That is if you could find one of suitable size. I'm sure you'll figure out something creative.

all the best.

[carol]

these are great!

i just posted about something sort of similar...

I used Ikeas shadow boxes, but Dick Blick has some great wooden ones too!

I had hope to use old frames and create shadow boxes myself, but I realized it kept me from finishing the work!

[Lori]

oh Tamara..the old crackle edged window would be beautiful with the mini vintage quilts.

Amanda...LOVE the colors.
My aunt gave me a very old mini stand that holds vintage spools of thread also from her. I cant bear to use them! LOL

[SOULEMAMA]

Tamara - I LOVE the idea of windowpanes - such a great mix of old things! I wonder about the lead paint issue, though. Hmnn....must investigate!

[CrystalT]

Very beautiful! Wonderful idea. :)

[erin]

wow! that is all i am going to say. wow!

[deerdominique]

That is so beautiful. I really do love it.

[Julia]

this is so beautiful! how wonderful to have such a meaningful project to work at and think about for such a long time. really really beautiful.

[Rhea]

Hey Amanda!!! I just read the entry from yesterday... thanks so much for sharing us with your internet audience! I am psyched! And should you some day soon return to the store, don't be shy about taking photos...I would be completely flattered. In the meantime, it was lovely to meet you AND your husband and I can't wait to see you back here soon. Keep up the good work and break a leg at Edith and Edna's. I'll have to make a trip to Portland with my friend Erin (BabyBlueBird) to see your work in person! Talk to you again soon!!!

XOXO Rhea at Alewives

[Amber]

Oh yes, what a great idea. I love just little snippets of quilts in a frame. Love that!! And what a great idea to coincide the show with the book release.

[emilyruth]

oh my goodness this is so cute!...i love the idea from vintage everything to the design to the embroidered dress...i hope we will get to see all of them at some point...too sweet...

[Veronica TM]

oh, amanda, this is so beautiful! i LOVE the quilt and i love what you say about the whole idea. wish i could attend the show!

[melissa]

these are beautiful, amanda- i love the idea behind them, as vintage threads, patterns and dresses are something i think about a lot, too. wish i could see your show!

[Ann]

Hi Amanda, I love your blog and visit every day but haven't left a comment yet. Your quilts are beautiful. What an inspiration. You are so clever!

[joy]

Hi amanda!! I love your blog and especially love your quilts

I have an idea for framing them,
I think you should keep them framed but use another piece of glass for the back part of the frame-you could see the other side, it would seem less boxed in, and they would almost look like they were framed in a shadow box. Do you know what I mean? YOu could even have fairly thick glass and have some featured on a book case or on top of a dresser for your art show.

just a thought!!! I have been making doll quilts and embroidering too!

[Julie]

Ah, I have been finding myself more and more drawn to embroidery lately, and I think this post just put me over the edge! In fact, I order the book "The Art of Embroidery" and am expecting it any day now. Gorgeous!

[Claudia]

Hi, Amanda! Great quilt! Perhaps you should try to frame them on those frames like boxes they use for scrapbooking. It leaves a space between the quilt and the glass, so the quilt wont look "pressed".

[Vivian from Brazil]

hey Amanda,

I've been reading your journal for a while now and find it sooo beautiful! I really love coming here and just enjoying the beauty in your pictures and writings.

In my humble and not usually creative opinion, those quilts are too "stuck" in that framing. They'd look really natural and pretty if you could put them up like clothes hanging in the sun to dry, with (ugh, I forget the name in English) those thingies you use to... just look at this image: http://www.clicfilhos.com.br/site/images/especiais/prendedor1.jpg.

That's what I mean.

Anyway, just the way I'd like to see them. :)

Have a great week with your family!
Vivian

[blair]

This is so beautiful. Truly unique, I would love to see these all together. Great, inspiring work Amanda!

[Dacia]

so pretty!

[Julie]

Beautiful, so different & so creative, as always!

[dorie]

wow, that is so great! I love it so much.

[Tara]

Wow. Amazing work. You have a gift.