Sewing Your Story

I recently had a good friend tell me she doesn’t like to show off her needlework because she feels it doesn’t compare to others in her sewing group. I think most of us who sew do it for a multitude of reasons. In my 50 plus age group, we learned to sew in junior high and home ec. classes and 4-H clubs. We sewed and put our projects into our hope chests. Remember those? I always felt like mine was so hopeless and besides I didn’t have a chest—both the bosom kind and the wooden blanket chest kind.

Girls from my era were destined to be teachers, nurses, secretaries and wives, not lawyers and doctors like today. Being able to run a household and take care of our families ranked very highly during that time. Our mothers told us to learn to sew so we could make curtains for our first home, clothes for ourselves and our children as well as tablecloths, napkins, and of course Barbie Doll clothes. Sewing was cheaper back then, not today.

Many of us have left utilitarian sewing and have embarked on a new hobby of quilting and “fun” sewing. We indulge ourselves and spend a lot of time and money on our “fun.” But like everything else in our society, perfection is a must. There is always a new and improved everything. We have sewing machines that will do everything for us but make our dinner and sweep our floors. Just when you think you’ve got one thing learned, here comes another technique to learn and along with it perfection.

I love perfection and do strive for it like so many of us. The problem is, we sometimes forget the journey. Remember the first sewing project you made with your mother, or perhaps your grandmother? Your first stitches weren’t perfect, but you remember the good time you had---- it is the bonding that we do with family and friends that really counts. The next time you are stitching with friends, take the time to ask them about their background in sewing.

Everyone has a story to tell. It is surprising who among us did alterations, made custom drapery, knitted neonatal hats for children’s hospitals, crocheted blankets for nursing homes, or who made charity quilts for aids and hospice organizations. Then there are the ladies who just sewed for their families, mending and making prom and wedding gowns. How much more important does it get than doing things for the events in your family’s history. No matter what kind of needlework we do, it is all done with some kind of a needle with the thought of doing something for others.

So…. be proud of what you make or design, and share with others. The story behind the project is what is really important, and if along the way you achieve a blue ribbon for those perfect stitches, enjoy the ride!!!!!

Ohio Quilters: Sue Spargo

Folk Art Quilts are a unique form of art quilts, and no one does it better than Sue Spargo. I was introduced to her style of quilting at NEORQC two years ago while cruising the classes to see what was being offered and what other folks were making. Sue was there, and I fell in love with her designs, wools, trims and all the special “findings” she uses to finish one of her projects.

Sue’s website, http://www.suespargo.com/ is filled with all sorts of interesting and beautiful designs. Born in Zambia and trained as a nurse, she worked her way to the United States and Uniontown, Ohio, through South Africa and England, bringing with her a rich background evident in all of her designs and work. Many of her projects incorporate hand dyed wools done by her sister who lives in the Pacific Northwest. Talent runs in the family.

I took one of Sue’s courses entitled Ginger Grove last year. The course had my name in it, so it had to be good. I wasn’t disappointed. It was filled with embellishments, which is my favorite thing to do. It also afforded me the opportunity to do another one of my favorite pastimes, shopping for quilting stuff. You know, stuff that I “need”. But mostly I enjoyed being in class with Sue, who not only teaches, but inspires.

It was a big project, and I will be working on it for several years to come. But it allows me to study her technique in designing what appears on the surface to be simple primitives, but are actually well planned, well thought out, complicated works of art, confirming her reputation. Making something look simple is often times the most complicated thing to do. My rule with any project that is difficult, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it.

Sue’s website describes her three areas of interest: Designs, Workshops, and Books and Patterns. Her talent takes her all over the country giving lectures and classes, often times scheduled years in advanced. Her patterns and kits sell all over the country. Her retail operation is unique to her and her materials, patterns and style, including notions, fabric and jewelry…and she is located right here in Ohio.

So if sometime in your quilting pursuits you have the opportunity to take a class from Sue Spargo, or sit in one of her lectures, or even come across her patterns and unique materials, SIGN UP. You won’t regret it.

Ohio Quilters: Cindy Zlotnik Oravecz

Sometimes what we desire the most is sitting in our own backyards. As a stitcher, I am always on the “hunt” for new shops associated with wonderful destinations. One of my favorite shops is Quilters’s Fancy, owned and operated by Cindy Zlotnik Oravecz. Right next door are two more stitchery shops, The Lacemaker and Designers II quilt shops. This is one stop shopping for those who love handwork. And if you like antiquing (I am always looking for pie birds and half doll pin cushions), those in the know in Cortland go to Lovejoy’s.

A friend tipped me off a few years ago to Quilter’s Fancy. I have been hooked ever since. Like so many of us, Cindy Zlotnik Oravecz has been sewing all of her life . She worked as a journalist for a police department before marrying and having a family. At that point she started freelance writing. She wrote her first article on sewing and the rest is history. Cindy is an expert on crazy quilting and anything to do with Victorian sewing. She has written several books on flower making including Into the Garden and The Enchanted Garden. She has designed two tools specifically for her flower making: the Ruching Edge and the Mini Ruching Edge.

Quilter’s Fancy is a tiny shop that is large on inspiration. For me, a day at her shop is like being on a mini vacation . I peruse the newest books, French silk ribbons, embellished trims, new laces to hand dye, plus so many other wonderful things. Time always flies much to quickly.

Sign up for one of Cindy‘s classes and she will make you feel extra special, maybe even offering you a cup of tea in a vintage tea cup. Class offerings for small groups and/or individuals are listed on her web site. .

When I was finishing my crazy quilt ( a nine year endeavor and well worth it) Cindy was my quilt guru for such things as how to tie the quilt. Crazy quilts are usually not quilted, they are tied in such a way that stitches are not visible on the front of the quilt. She gave me an article that she had written for a magazine on just that particular problem.

Cindy can also provide information on where to find quilt appraisers, quilt restoration specialists. If she doesn’t have the answer at her fingertips, she will help you locate whatever you need.

In this day and age when everything is computerized and so impersonal, I find it is refreshing to make the human connection. So, the next time you need a mini vacation, take a ride to Cortland, visit Quilter’s Fancy, walk through Lovejoy’s Antiques and have a little lunch in town. It’s a fun day.

I will be featuring another Ohio quilt artist/author next week.

Remember “Take a stitch on the wild side.” You never know where it will lead you.

www.quiltersfancy.com
www.pimafitz.com
www.preservesmart.com
www.colorwithquilts.com