My nephew and I were playing our usual Saturday morning pool game and talking about the Suffrage exhibit.  While throwing around quilt ideas, I spoke of the force-feeding, badges and jail time some of the suffragettes endured. He said "Why don't you celebrate the women that were not militant?"  It sounded good to me and 'Everyday Women Rallying for Suffrage' was born.  The women who ran their households, raised their children, supported their husbands and participated in the suffrage movement, not behind the podium, but in the audience.  Our unsung heroes.  

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It took over 80 years for the nineteenth amendment to pass. In thinking how best to express the time frame, I chose hairstyles and hats during that period knowing they would change. My research used books on historic fashions, theatrical costumes, women of Appalachia, fashion illustration and historic quilt makers.

The design of this quilt was done using technology. The background of the quilt is a thread design that was enlarged and colored in a gradient. Next was drawing the faces, scanning them into the software and placing them on top of the colored threadwork. This created a file which was then printed digitally on cotton sateen. Free motion work finished it off along with a silk tucked border.

Interestingly, I did a second piece with a little red as part of the gradient. Both pieces were finished and it was tough trying to decide which piece to use. In the end, I’m happy with the final choice. The red symbolized blood to many people and to me, it projected anger. Thing is, I’m not an angry person –many other things, just not angry. Click to go direct to the second quilt, 'Ladies - Version 2.'

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Materials: Digitally Printed Cotton Sateen, Digitally Designed Cotton Broadcloth (Backing), Polyester Batting,  40 weight Cotton Thread.

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Techniques: Drawing, Digital Design, Free Motion Quilting, Textile Design. 

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Exhibitions:  Invitational    

     Deeds Not Words: Celebrating 100 Years of Women Suffrage

     National Quilt Museum, Paducah, KY, 2020 - Covid Cancelled

     New England Quilt Museum, Lowell, MA, 2020

     Houston Quilt Festival, Houston, TX, 2020 -Covid Cancelled 

     Texas Quilt Museum, La Grange, TX, 2021

     Visions Art Museum, San Diego, CA, 2021

     Virginia Quilt Museum, Harrisonburg, VA, 2021

     Quilters Hall of Fame, Marion, IN, 2021

     Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum, La Connor, WA, 2022

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Publications:

     Deeds Not Words: Celebrating 100 Years of Women's Suffrage

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