Showing posts with label Great Lakes Heritage Quilters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Great Lakes Heritage Quilters. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Jane Sassaman's Amazing Art

Jane Sassaman addressing the GLHQ
This month I visited the Great Lakes Heritage Quilters guild to see Jane Sassaman. I have admired her work for many years.
Jane Sassaman Moth and Moons
Jane described her journey as an artist from 1960s psychedelic and pop art influences to Gloria Vanderbilt's use of quilts, to William Morris and the Pre-Raphealites, to Nancy Crow's innovative art. Along the way, she included folk art, Marimekko, and the mid-century revival of the needle arts in embellishing counter culture 'hippie' clothing.

Sassaman was influenced by GloriaVanderbilt's quilted decor
which appeared in Vogue magazine in 1970

A William Morris wallpaper design
You can see the influence on Sassaman's work

Forgotten Garden by Sassaman
shows her thematic use of thorns
Here is my Finnish exchange student sister wearing a Marimekko print in 1970, an oversized poppy.



She talked about the themes she uses in her art, including 'dangerious' insects, the Day of the Dead, skeletons and skulls.
A spider appears at the bottom of Sassaman's quilt Life Totem



Sassman designed a fabric line for Free Spirit. Quilters don't have to applique the milleflores borders Jane loves, they can use the fabric!

Sassaman designs for Free Spirit
Simplified, small sized patterns based on Jane's art were available for purchase along with packs of fabric.



Jane Sassaman's patterns include Summer, right,
a simplified version of her award winning quilt Willow.
 I bought a daffodil design and a fabric pack with pussy willows. The prices were very reasonable.
Jane Sassaman easy applique pattern
Sassaman fabrics from Free Spirit
There was a nice turn out.
Jane is leading several workshops this weekend including one on Broderie Perse using printed fabric to create quilts like the one below--

and a class teaching how to observe plants and visually 'dissect' them to create original designs like Jane's Jack-in-the-Pulpit below--
The Free Spirit fabric line can also be used in pieced quilts as seen in the examples following:
Jane Sassman quilt using her Free Spirit fabric line

Jane Sassman quilt using her Free Spirit Line
 She is a true artist and a wonderful inspiration!

The guild has a free table and I found this wonderful book!

I have completed the top of the pattern I bought.
 The central motif is fused then finished with machine satin stitching.

The fabric kit was generous so there is enough for backing and binding.


Saturday, March 12, 2016

Pat Sloan Visits Town

I went to the Great Lakes Heritage Quilters meeting this past week to see Pat Sloan. She gave a lecture on her quilting life. Pat has been seriously quilting since 1992 and in 2000 left her job to make her hobby full time. Pat has authored 30 books and designs fabric.
 I get her newsletter and have seen her patterns and books. It was great seeing her quilts up close and personal.



Pat learned hand piecing with cardboard templates making traditional quilts. Inspired by antique quilts and folk art she developed her own style. She combines piecing and easy fused appliqué.



Pat is one of 83 designers offering 100 free blocks in their Splendid Sampler. Some of the guild members are participating and displayed their blocks. Learn more here.


Friday, February 27, 2015

Great Lakes Heritage Quilters 2015 Show

Today my friend and I went to see the Great lakes Heritage Quilters quilt show held at King's Court Castle, Canterbury Village near Auburn, MI. It was an impressive show and a great venue. The show runs Friday, Feb. 27 and Saturday, Feb. 28 from 10 am to 5 pm.
Great hall of King's Court Castle
The quilts were very diverse, with Modern and traditional quilts.
Wonky Logs by Kathleen Joseph

Ghosts by Ruth Montalvo
Modern Mystery by Sue Chase
Bingo by Carol Fulton
Fireworks by Letty Abraham
Peony Star by Sue Chase
detail Peony Star
detail H is for Henry by Carol Fulton

detail Juxtaposition by Jackie Compton; vintage blocks
Cacao Plant and Mint by Ruth McCormick
detail Cacao  Plant and Mint
 
Tim's Gas Station by Nancy Osterman

 

Janeen's Quilt by Joyce Harlan

 detail The Event Quilt by Rebecca Magnus

The Event Quilt has a vintage signature block in center
Little Woman III by Rebecca Magnus
 I made one Little Woman quilt. This lady made three--for her granddaughters. Lucky girls!
Beth at Piano, Little Woman III
The lighting was iffy and some of my photos didn't come out well. There were 176 quilts, and these represent only a few.