Color and Symmetry

Editor's Note: "Getting to Know You" is on display at Quilt House through February 6. To celebrate this show's run, International Quilt Study Center & Museum team members are sharing their impressions on select pieces from the exhibition. 

Patchwork kimono, maker unknown, Japan, circa 1910-1930.
IQSCM 1998.003.0002

By Leslie Levy
Executive Director of Quilt House

The first time I went to Japan, I was 18 years old. I remember the men's kimonos as minimalistic, usually solid grey or black, but at the same time powerful. The women's kimonos were beautiful and complex; elaborate and made of colorful fabric - unlike this piece.

The symmetry and straight lines, emphasized by the long, narrow color blocks, of this kimono appeal to me. It feels modest/unassuming, yet the simplicity, combined with the earthiness of the print and the softness of the fabric give this kimono a quiet, understated authority.

Me, performing a traditional tea ceremony.

Thousand Pyramids of the Past and Present

Editor's Note: "Getting to Know You" is on display at Quilt House through February 6. To celebrate this show's run, International Quilt Study Center & Museum team members are sharing their impressions on select pieces from the exhibition. 

Thousand Pyramids, maker unknown, possibly made in Pennsylvania,
circa 1890-1910. Jonathan Holstein Collection IQSCM 2003.003.0137.

By Leslie Levy
Executive Director of Quilt House

I love the Thousand Pyramid pattern; I never tire of looking at its quiet and soothing pattern. In fact, I debated a long time whether I would hang a Thousand Pyramid quilt in my office. It is a timeless and classic pattern as evidenced by a trip to QuiltCon in Austin, Texas.

I was absolutely delighted by these pieces and the quilter’s unique twist or interpretation of a classic pattern to make it fresh and modern for today’s audience.

I love the splash of color coupled with the soft greys!

I think this is a sweet, versatile quilt. Its color pallet makes it the perfect addition to a child’s room, a casual living  room or one’s favorite reading spot.

This quilt echoes the Thousand Pyramids pattern but with a fresh, modern twist. The colors are fantastic!

Traditionally, the myriad of fabrics in a Thousand Pyramids quilt give the quilt interest and color as evidenced by the quilt in our exhibition, but at the same time, there is a subtlety to the quilt. Not this one! I love the bold, bright pyramids at the bottom, and the contrasting black and white at the top. This quilt makes me want to have a room done in shades of grey with this bright, bold, beautiful quilt hanging on the wall for all to admire.

Creating Worldwide Connections

Leslie with past and present International Advisory Board
members Victoria Findlay Wolfe, left, and Gul Laporte, right.

By Leslie Levy
Ardis and Robert James Executive Director of Quilt House

In a conversation with Carolyn Ducey, the International Quilt Study Center & Museum's curator of collections, I heard her say, "...I travel the world with quilts..."

It's true. One of the tremendous joys of being the executive director of the International Quilt Study Center & Museum is meeting and working with wonderful people from around the globe.

Here at QuiltCon, I have had the opportunity to meet people from England, Australia, and Canada; the furthest attendees came from India. I have had a chance to hang out with current and former IQSCM International Advisory Board members from Italy and France.

Carolyn and Leslie with
Alex Veronelli, IAB member.

And there is no shortage of new friends from across the United States: Colorado, Utah, New York, California, Texas (of course!), Nebraska, Minnesota, and the list goes on... literally. There are quilters from 48 states and 15 countries at QuiltCon--that is impressive!  I was also struck by the young demographic of the attendees and that the workshops were sold out illustrating a definite energy, enthusiasm and commitment for the modern quilting movement.

Leslie with past and present IAB members Brenda Groelz and Gul  Laporte.

It doesn't matter where we travel to or from, when we meet other quilters or industry experts, there is an immediate bond. (It also helps that quilters have their own language... can you say: charm pack, jelly roll, fat quarters and honey comb?).

Leslie with Bill Volckening and Shelly Zegart.

For more visit the Modern Quilt Guild's blog and read our post from yesterday.