“All Things New” in My Quilting World

The January theme for our Arts and Crafts Channel’s Theme Day is “All Things New.”  This could mean new projects, new directions, turning your hobby into a business, taking new classes…essentially venturing out of your comfort zone.

I’ve found quiltmaking has changed so much over the years, from the “traditional” patterns and styles I made with my grandmother in the 1940s and then during our country’s Bicentennial Years of 1975-76.  Quiltmakering has grown from a utilitarian craft into an art form.  Quilts have become wall hangings of various sizes, even postcards and calling cards. 

Then quilters began experimenting with many types of fabric and fibers to become fabric and fiber artists.  My daughter who started out has a traditional quilter, learning the craft as she grew up around my sewing maching, has evolved into a fiber artist enjoying the freedom to experiment.

Most recently she has begun to do a great deal with mixed media, using fabric, fiber and paper to create wall hangings, book covers, and post cards.  From her I acquire the desire to try new directions in my quilting world and enjoyed creating a fabric postcard. 

The other day, she was painting paper towels. 

 ”Whatever for?” I asked her.  This is something I’d imagine doing with kindergarteners when I substitute teach in schools.

“I’m making something to use in my fabric art,” she explained.  She still had me puzzled.

Yesterday, Beth showed me the paper towel that was transformed into a work of mixed media art.  After it dried, she put on a backing, then added fabric, decorative stitching and other embellishments. 

This has become the “something new” I want to try in my quilting world.

(To see Beth’s converted paper towel, before it was completely finished, visit her Meandering Threads blog and scroll to the bottom of the Postcards and Playtime post.)