I found this wonderful line in a book on Mary Lee Bendolph and the Gee's Bend quilts. Like the improvisational nature of utility quilts themselves, this quote captures the tension between wanting to create something beautiful and craftsmanlike, while bearing the burden of urgent family and work needs. Where do you feel this tension? What… Continue reading Texts & Textiles: Utility Quilts
Category: studio projects
Texts and Textiles: William Wordsworth
Happy Valentine's Day from WholeCloth! May your love be as trusty, fine, and kindly as the thread from faithful hands.
Texts & Textiles: Henry David Thoreau
Even a little bit of sewing will make you more mindful of your clothing: its source, its fit, the value of the labor that produced it. I think that learning to sew at least one garment can be a life-changing way to change your relationship to the purpose of clothing.
Texts & Textiles: JRR Tolkien
Before this year becomes too cluttered with daily tasks and joys and sorrows, it's important to remember the Story that gives these days their meaning
Handmade Christmas: 18″ Doll Dress & Cardigan
Besides the absolute delight of sewing such wee frocks (because everything is cute in miniature, right?), creating these dresses was a valuable project for several reasons.
Texts & Textiles: St. Distaff’s Day
Partly work and partly play You must on St. Distaffs Day: From the plough soon free your team; Then cane home and fother them: If the maids a-spinning go, Burn the flax and fire the tow. Bring in pails of water then, Let the maids bewash the men. Give St. Distaff' all the right: Then… Continue reading Texts & Textiles: St. Distaff’s Day
The Epiphany of our Lord
January 6 marks the Feast of the Epiphany, when the child Jesus was revealed to the Magi from the east. I made these felt Magi for my mother as part of a larger nativity scene last Christmas. I used the instructions and patterns from Salley Mavor's marvelous Wee Felt Folk. The wool felt was either… Continue reading The Epiphany of our Lord
Indigo & Advent
There's something fitting about drying leaves & harvesting seeds during Advent. Both are works of patience, preparation, and hope.
Art & Craft: The Wise Virgins (Crispijn de Passe the Elder)
The work of our heads, hearts, and hands can become lamps we hold aloft for Christ, lighting our way to the feast He will call--at any moment--for us to join.
Texts & Textiles: JRR Tolkien
Blessed are the timid hearts that evil hate that quail in its shadow, and yet shut the gate; that seek no parley, and in guarded room, though small and bate, upon a clumsy loom weave tissues gilded by the far-off day hoped and believed in under Shadow's sway. Blessed are the men of Noah's race… Continue reading Texts & Textiles: JRR Tolkien
