Month after month they gather. They bring their baskets full of fabrics, sit and chat and sew. Fabric piles accumulate around the room as everything from tiny bits for hexagons, skinny borders, big borders and sashing, medallions get sampled and applied. Deidre was looking for something "different."
Sometimes we know exactly what we are looking for and sometimes it is a matter of sampling everything in the shop until we settle on just the right fabric. When I look back and grab snapshots of the day it is a combination of excited oohs and ahhs as well as the quiet searching as the brains look, imagine, consider and decide. This working of the brain with colour has got to be good for us!
Now that the term is fully underway it is time to stop and say I am proud of all the teachers at Material Obsession. I say this because in the chaos of Friday there was a quiet moment when I got chance glance into the essence of Marg as a teacher. I was lucky to see her lost in a moment of quiet consideration of a fabric. It wasn't the quiet or even the concentration but the fact that she was thinking as if it was her quilt. The decision, as are all the decisions she makes was important. There is a selflessness in that skill that makes a teacher admired. It is what gathers the women around the table so happily. Of course we also need to acknowledge the element of designs she creates which are the epitome of quirky translation of tradition and balance between whimsy and genius.
Then the moment changed as Chris brought in her finished quilt with so little fuss that I a nearly missed the showing. (had it been me there would have been much fuss, noise and "look, look, LOOK!" kind of stuff!)
We dragged it outside for better look at the totality of beauty. I was surprised at how unassuming Chris was about her work. She appeared to take in stride that she had finished this quilt when all of us where spellbound. I just kept wondering about how wonderful it would be to walk into a room and see this on a bed...forever. The end surely justifies the means. I think we could have all stood and admired it all day finding little treasures, special fabrics, random and well planned combinations of colours and fabrics.
I just keep stopping and thinking about what it would feel like to have finished this quilt. The chat that would have passed over these hexagons and the applique as each tiny decision is made about what to put where. I can't even figure out how long it has been since Chris started this quilt but I know it was over a year ago.
Fussy cut or random, each little combination of fabric has message of time and place built into it.
Each little basket has the consideration of a floral bouquet that combines the element of chance with the intention of thought. Quirky attachements of birds, hearts and insects add interest upon inspection. The result, hand clapping delight. But as the tv salesman says...but wait, there's more...
The hexagons and baskets were just the start as Chris then revealed her Fly Away With Me quilt. We are of course doing this quilt as a block of the month so the joy was tantamount to viewing the birth of a fabric child in the future! The border itself is a symbol of dedication.
We see several things when we look at a quilt like this. Instantly we are aware of the choices, the dedication, and the talent that it takes to make all of these elements come together in balance. The credit for the accomplishment goes to Chris for enduring, persistenting and creating such a wonderful experience...that of viewing this quilt. Then in the background we see Marg and her infinite patience, guidance and companionship which are all visible in the work she inspires...thank you, more please. k
OH! OH! OH! I LOOOOOVE Chris's quilt, particularly the baskets. A basked quilt has been on my TO DO list for a while now but this takes the thinking in an entirely new direction. Thank you for sharing!
p.s. I just picked up Material Obsession 2 a week ago and cannot get my nose out of it. Talk about things that I need to add to this list!!!!
Posted by: Marie | Monday, 02 April 2012 at 09:57 AM
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Posted by: Air Max 90 | Monday, 02 April 2012 at 12:02 PM
Your shop seems to have the magical ability of creating inspired and I am going to say it - tasteful - works, I always love to check in and get inspired by your endless energy.
Posted by: Carolyn | Monday, 02 April 2012 at 08:33 PM
Wow! Chris's quilts are just amazing! Priceless works of art!
Posted by: Cathie | Monday, 02 April 2012 at 10:59 PM
Fantastic these quilts, love the colours! Looking forward seeing you in Nantes! Regards, Elsbeth
Posted by: Elsbeth | Tuesday, 03 April 2012 at 04:59 AM
Just beautiful quilts! What a lovely process occurs at MO...teachers sharing, students absorbing & creating, and then the sharing of new creations. Stunning!
Posted by: cardygirl | Tuesday, 03 April 2012 at 07:33 AM
Congratulations to Chris on completing those AMAZING quilts. I am just wowed by the colours and the fact that she has produced 2 quilts...it would take me a lifetime to complete one!
Posted by: Jenny M | Tuesday, 03 April 2012 at 12:55 PM
" Beam me over,Scottie"
Posted by: Barbara Craxton | Wednesday, 04 April 2012 at 09:42 AM
Chris totally awesome quilts, the dedication and work that goes into these is inspirational! Well done girl! Gives me something to aspire to:) The blog page of Material Obsession always reminds of a big happy family when I see photos of these busy women working away, but having fun at the same time! Today I walked into a small patchwork shop not far from home, it was crammed with the most amazing colours and excitement, but it was what was contained in the back room that drew me, a big table full of ladies & young girls altogether happily quilting & patching away oblivious to customers coming and going, so intent where they! That is something special also!
Posted by: Sharon van de Zand | Wednesday, 04 April 2012 at 08:33 PM
I am continually amazing and in awe of the work that your friends/customers produce. This post shows amazing creativity and workmanship, Hats off to your group of friends. Seeing this work makes me want to travel across the world and spend a few hours sitting in your shop, magical!
Posted by: Sharon | Friday, 06 April 2012 at 04:00 AM
I've been off the web for a bit and am WAY behind in my addiction to your blog. So I'm working my way through things--but this one stopped me in my tracks. I love those quilts by Chris and how fortunate we all are to have you show us! Thank you so much!
Posted by: Elizabeth E. | Thursday, 12 April 2012 at 02:11 PM
Chris' quilts are stunning!! Does she stop to eat? :) Is Chris a teacher and does she ever come over to the States to visit?
I think there is magic in your shop and I want some!!
Posted by: Connie | Sunday, 22 April 2012 at 12:11 PM