Remember back in May when I said I was going to make quilts for all of the new babies that my friends have brought into the world recently? Well. I got one done. Still have three to go. So before these babes enter high school, I’m going to dust off the Singer and get back to quilting. I’m thinking of using these fabrics:
I’ll post ’em when I’m finished.
Also, I’ve been interested in the word “craft” lately and the connotations it has. For years, the idea of crafts was not held in high esteem. There was much derision of seed art, macaroni sculpture and yarn paintings. If you live in the bay area, you probably know that the California College of Arts and Crafts dropped the “Crafts” a few years back. At the time, I assumed it was an attempt to distance itself from the image of nannies bending over their tatting, but in fact the president insisted it was to enfold contemporary craft into the realm of higher Art. Personally, I don’t differentiate much between art and craft – there’s way too much crossover – which may be what the CCA president was getting at. But recently, I’ve noticed people using the words craft, crafty and crafter as a badge of honor. It’s suddenly very cool. Does the word “craft” hold a particular charge for you, and if so, is it positive or negative? Has it changed lately? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
5 COMMENTS
live a colorful life
15 years agoI think the word “craft” has come a long way in recent years. I think it is getting to be a much more positive word, and that is definitley a good thing. Now ask me about homemade and handmade. For me, handmade is a much more positive word than homemade, which is now the word that connotes seed art, macaroni sculpture, and yarn paintings. To me, at least.
live a colorful life
15 years agoOh, I forgot…I love the fabric choices for the quilts. I have your dots and ring fabrics. Now I need the ones with the leaves and the flowers. Love them!
Rebecca
15 years agoI love the fabrics! Those are going to be beautiful!!!! I've never thought about the change in connotation of the word craft, but now that you mention it, I think you are right! Being crafty is SO cool these days! Even though for me, I always thought it was!
Linda B
15 years agoLOVE your fabric choices:) I can't wait to see the finished quilts! Regarding crafting, I have always thought of crafting and the term a non-artist uses when creating something. However, thanks to the evolution of sheer appreciation for all things handmade, I now think of crafting as it's own art form.
Tiffany
15 years agoI think crafting and especially quilting has finally reached the level of respect it deserves. When I started quilting 10 years ago, it was not “cool”, especially for a young person. I can't tell you how thrilled I am to have it elevated to an art by fabric designers like you. My daughter won't ever hide in the closet about crafting like I did!