Medallion Styled Quilt . . .

I'm in the mood for the center of my wall-hanging artsy quilt to be the focal point -- the message to the viewer!!!





I'm pulled towards a bold, bright triangular edging:But I can't go too far or all my quilts will bear too much similarity.



I made a portable design wall (abt 50x50") What and Why A Design Wall?

Here's a sophisticated, intelligent quote about the usefullnes of a design wall "... from the flow of colors to the combination effect to the symmetry of various patterns, a quilt design wall helps an artisan look into each and every aspect of a quilt making with detail."

I am not a visual person -- there's something deeper in which I draw a flow of colors and the lines and an outline of my quilted piece, be it full-bed-sized or smaller:: (more like my African American Ancestors who thought "evil runs in a straight line!")This is the inner Beverly who finds creativity only when I break the rules of standardization! This happens as I quilt as well as during the times that I watch a Caucasian-based-media-commentary... the other side of my unique cultural heritage goes into an automatic "let's deconstruct this idea.... there's more than meets the eye! I look as deeply into the Scriptures in order to lift up and grow deep spiritually!

Back to quiltin! :) I think of my Gee's Bend lady-friend who thoughtfully said "..God gives me this here idea... just lookin' at a wall, or newspaper, of out a window.... I sees a color or design and says to maself: Self - I'll make that 'nto a quilt!"

Several years ago, I visited the Milwaukee Art Museum exhibit of Gee's Bend, and purchased coasters, and a video cassette: YES! I'm old and ol'enuf -- and old fashioned! My sewing room is equipped with a 15" color/video combo television. So my extreme satisfaction is to sit and sew in this quaint environment! God Bless my dear old Mississippi Mama Dooley and Big-Mama Sipuel!

I think I'll do a RE - Enactment - that is to create a... of Gee's Bend Quilt

I do a Bunny Shop Hop, and found this advertisment of four distictive quilts displayed in earlier years at the Quilts of Gee's Bend exhibit.... The Gee's Bend Solid Collection of solid fabrics are being promoted by ABCs of Quilting10 NW 5th StreetGrand Rapids, MN 55744!




"Housetop - 4 Block Variation" by Mary L. Bennett (b. 1942)


The granddaughter of Deila Bennett (1892-1976) ancestor of many quilt makers in Gee's Bend.





As quoted by Mary, "I was born down here in Brown Quarters and got raised by my grandmother. I started out working in the fields for my uncle Stalling Bennett. I didn't get no schooling - every now and then a day here and there. Didn't nobody teach me to make quilts. I just learned it by myself, about 12 or 13. I was seeing my grandmama piecing it up, and then I start. I just taken me some pieces and put it together, piece them up till they look like I want them to look. That's all."


"Housetop - 4 Block Variation" - 57" x 65"