2018 Jefferson Arts Center Fabric, Fiber Textile January Show
January's show starts off with one of a kind hand crafted treasures that are quilted, appliquéd, crocheted, done in needlepoint, silk ribbon embroidery, latch hook, crewel work, or hand embroidered.
As you enter the Arts Center, the featured quilt evokes animals found on the African continent. "Safari" by Rosemary Anderman blends iconic African lion, elephant, zebra, and giraffe appliqués with borders of rich animal prints. Fabrics include batik cotton, flannel, and faux leather. $85
To your left is a Dresden Plate Crazy Quilt from the collection of Jane Davis. Crazy Quilts were all the rage in the Victorian era after the 1876 Pennsylvania Centennial Exhibition. Notice that there are many lovely decorative stitches on each seam. Intriguing names like feather, herringbone, fly and chain describe just a few of the intricate stitches. The imagination and skill of the seamstress was the only limit. This quilt originally came from Ohio and the quilter is unknown. NFS
Jean Brenner's "Robots" catches the imagination and fun of futuristic robots, each robot block colorfully places dreams of outer space and future missions to faraway worlds to the viewer. Can you name any TV or movie robots? NFS
Are you a gardener at heart? Do flowers bring a sense of joy to your life? Does someone dear to you have an affinity for flowers? This quilt was inspired by those of us who love bringing outdoor beauty into our everyday living spaces. It is one of three blue and yellow quilts featuring oriental vases and flowers by Rosemary Anderman. $85
Heading back to the main exhibit area on the front wall is a small counted cross stitch embroidery of three birds. Cross-stitch is a form of sewing and a popular form of counted thread embroidery in which X-shaped stitches in a tiled, raster like pattern are used to form a picture. The threads are counted on a piece of even weave fabric in each direction so that the stitches are of uniform size and appearance. Can you name the three birds? Rosemary Anderman $30
On the opposite side of the red door is a American Eagle done as a needlepoint portrait. Needlepoint is a form of counted thread embroidery in which yarn is stitched through a stiff open weave canvas. The roots of needlepoint go back thousands of years to the ancient Egyptians, who used small slanted stitches to sew up their canvas tents. Taylor Swift has been known to indulge in this pastime having made Ed Sheeran a drake-themed needlepoint. $50
"Confetti" by Georgianna Joseph is above our Guest book. Please sign in before entering the main exhibit area. This lovely quilt block is designed to look like cheerful confetti and it truly does make for cheerful quilting. Happy New Year! NFS
As you enter the exhibit hall and move counterclockwise, Georgianna's "Tree" shows a tree inspired wall hanging. Notice how each tree can be seen in the midst of each block forming an interesting interplay of color and design. NFS
From the collection of Alice Stadin, the next quilt features fabrics from the 40s. The top-most layer of a quilt is usually made from cotton quilting fabric. Selecting the fabric can be a challenging exercise, and the number of different fabrics required depends on the quilting pattern selected. Many quilters will also make use of fabrics from home, incorporating fabrics with a particular sentimental importance. Look at each 3x3 square and wonder where that fabric came from -- a dress, a blouse, a flour sack, curtains -- What did you guess? NFS
The bright colors of a harlequin are enjoyed in this crocheted throw by Marilyn Joiner. Crochet is a process of creating fabric by interlocking loops of yarn, thread or strands of other materials using a crochet hook. The name is derived from the French term crochet, meaning 'small hook'. The significant difference between crochet and knitting, beyond the implements used for their production, is that each stitch in crochet is completed before proceeding with the next one, while knitting keeps a large number of stitches open at a time. If this crochet afghan doesn't put a smile on your face and a gleam in your eye, then we don't know what will. With a diamond pattern in the center and a fringed border, this crochet afghan is full of texture and stunningly visual. NFS tea length prom dresses
"Lilies" is the title of this small counted cross stitch by Rosemary. The lily is a symbol of purity in Christianity. Winter is the time to plant these bulbs with blooms arriving in Spring, around Easter. Lilies are one of nature’s most beautiful flowers .Tall and fragrant, these exquisite flowers can be a piece of art on their own. Choose to brighten your own day. Spruce up the entryway, kitchen, bathroom or guest bedroom, and just like that, you will discover an instant boost to the home's décor. Highly adaptable to situations of all kinds, lilies still remain simple and stunning across multiple settings. $25
"Peonies" is hand embroidered done in shades of peach. Peonies are the floral symbol of China, the state flower of Indiana, and the 12th wedding anniversary flower. They are regarded as a symbol of good fortune and a happy marriage. "Roses as big as cabbages." is how the explorer Marco Polo described peonies when he saw them for the first time. In ancient times peonies were believed to relieve headaches and help with asthma. Rosemary $45
A little piece of heaven just landed here on Earth! This delicate lace angel that surely will brighten any room. Containing over 500,000 stitches this computer generated lace angel done on a sewing machines is amazing. Rosemary $60
Invite the magic of fairies into your world. Fairies are the magical people of legend. Rosemary has captured this imaginary realm in this appliquéd quilt. Fairies are hidden in the trees, under mushrooms, and amongst the flowers. $85
Crewel embroidery, or crewelwork, is a type of surface embroidery using wool. The crewel technique is not a counted thread embroidery, but a style of free embroidery. Many different embroidery stitches are used in crewelwork to create a textured and colorful effect. Unlike silk or cotton embroidery threads, crewel wool is thicker and creates a raised, dimensional feel to the work. Rosemary has created a traditional Jacobean pattern in pastel greens and lavender as well as making the pillow itself. $45
Do you see the dolphins in this small appliquéd piece? How many did you count? Rosemary's piece evokes the wonder and beauty of these beloved creatures of the sea. $50
Chantel Romaine's "French Braid" quilt with its purples, greens, and corals is vaguely reminiscent of its namesake. The French braid includes three sections of hair and has also been depicted in art from early Greek. NFS
This tee shirt quilt "Playing In Traffic" creates a personalized quilt using t shirts or photos printed on fabric. This memory quilt by Isabelle de Sercey plays upon the memories of bicycling events and camaraderie with cherished friends. NFS
While quilts are often defined as one made of fabric that has been cut, pieced and stitched, we often forget the simple elegance of a whole cloth quilt made on a single piece of fabric with delicate stitching to highlight the beauty of the quilted design. Aren't you overwhelmed with this quilt's simple elegance? Jean Brenner's "White on White" NFS
Maureen Meers hand quilted and appliqued "Midnight Garden" imagines what happens to our garden flowers after midnight when no one is around. Can you imagine a garden gnome or brownie hiding in its midst? NFS
Rosemary has created another of her original oriental themed quilts in "Geishas." Red and black are designed to pull your eyes from one geisha to another. Viewing this did you not want to hum Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera tune "Three Little Maids" from H.M.S. Pinafore. $200
"Jazzy Cats" by Chantel Romaine is humorous and good fun with all those "crazy cats" playing their syncopated jazz instruments. NFS
Jean Brenner enchants us again with the bright colors contained in her "Tropical Flowers". Rich colors bring out warmth, happiness and beauty as we stare enthralled with this remarkable work. NFS
Get Your Motor Running is probably the best way to describe Isabelle de Sercey's “Harley Davidson” tee shirt quilt. Biker events are highlighted and compiled in this great memoir dedicated to the Harley Davidson. NFS
This luxurious needlework picture and handmade pillow are worked with narrow silk ribbon. The motifs featured in silk ribbon embroidery are almost always floral, just as are the small framed picture ($20) and the monogrammed pillow ($45). Rosemary
Above these hangs a latch hook rendering of the Egyptian goddess ISIS. Latch hook is both the tool and the textile art of latch hooking. Latch hooking differs from traditional rug hooking by the physical knotting of the yarn to canvas. Latch hook was invented in the nineteenth century. While rug hooking uses a base fabric of burlap, latch hooking uses specially woven rug canvas. $55
Along the front windows, Lisa Hamilton displays a few of her coiled pine needle baskets. These baskets are made of hand harvested pine needles, selected individually from nature. The technique has been used by both the Seminoles and Coushattas. Displayed are a red bowl with handles ($125), a green vase with wood buttons ($225), a shallow bowl ($75), and a basket with lid ($180)
Completing the circuit of the exhibit area we arrive at the last of the two blue and yellow quilts by Rosemary, one entitled "Irises" and the other "Vases". Choose to brighten your own day by adding one or all three pieces to your home. Spruce up the entryway, kitchen, bathroom or guest bedroom, and just like that, you will discover an instant boost to the home's décor. $85 each
Please stop by our Gift Shop on your way out. You will find many beautiful items at remarkable prices made by local artists. January is also the start of our membership drive, pick up an application and join in all the fun. Look for the Jefferson Arts entry in the Martin Luther King, Jr parade -- Be sure to wave.
And mark your calendar for the new exhibit coming February 3 featuring Penny Hackett.
Jefferson Arts Gallery [email protected] 850-997-3311