I received a most exciting email from one of my heroes--Nancy Ray! She's been collecting string quilts for 30 years, and has an amazing collection. I've been inspired by a number of her quilts in Gwen Marston's book, Liberated String Quilts. She spotted my "Spring Equinox" quilt, and wrote this lovely email with a photo of the original inspiration quilt!
Hello,
Your string top, Spring Equinox is lovely, and I'm happy to see that string quilts are getting so much attention. I own the spider web quilt that is the inspiration for this top (and many others), and I've always considered this quilt to be a masterpiece. In fact, Gwen and I were disappointed that the publisher gave it such a small picture in Liberated String Quilts, but nonetheless it seems to reach out to quilters. When I think it was pieced on newspaper, long before design walls existed, I'm awed by the quilter's ability to combine so many different fabrics with such a sure hand. She really was a master.
I'm sorry I can't put my hand on a better picture of it at the moment, but I'm attaching a picture of this quilt hanging at the Vermont Quilt Festival in a special exhibit of my string quilts in 2005. I've loved string quilts since I bought the first one 30 years ago, and this one is an enduring favorite.
Best,
Nancy Ray
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Spring Equinox, 2012, 85" x 85" |
What a wonderful email to have received. I loved the quilt in Gwen Marston's book and I think yours is a masterpiece too!!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome, but I'm not surprised your quilt got her attention. It's superb!
ReplyDeleteI hear she has an incredible collection of quilts.
ReplyDeleteLOVE your version of her antique quilt.
always have been in awe of the fabrics and the design of this quilt. amazing what quilt makers made without the tools we have today just look at the antique quilts of the 1800's , hand quilting to die for, appliqué , hand piecing , many masterpieces....
thanks for sharing yours with us again I can never get enough of it!
Kathie
What a well deserved compliment, your quilt is stunning!
ReplyDeleteI second Pinkadot Quilt's comment. Plus your choice of fabrics especially thrifted fabrics is inspiring. Today I found an Ikea cotton duvet cover in red with pink swirls, perfect.
ReplyDeleteBTW how are you quilting Spring Equinox, I imagine hand quilting would be hard going with all those seams.
Congratulations once again.
How exciting, indeed! Your quilt is deserving of such praises - it is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteHow affirming! Your Spring Equinox is lovely and an outstanding example of string quilts.
ReplyDeleteExciting, indeed!!!
ReplyDeleteI especially like her reference to the way the antique string quilts were made (without design walls, without rotary cutters, without online fabric shopping, etc.).
And I LOVE LOVE LOVE how you interpreted the inspiration quilt!
Congrats!
What fun!
ReplyDeleteWhat a collection! I think your quilt is even more beautiful than the inspiration one...
ReplyDeleteHow nice to receive an email and picture from her. The string quilts in the picture are all beautiful in their own way and I agree that it is exciting to see them getting some attention.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is lovely, bright and cheerful - an excellent inspired interpretation! :)
Thanks for sharing this with us.
Judy
How Cool! Great quilt!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely message to receive! Both quilts are amazing works of art! Thanks for sharing with the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteOh, that really is exciting! I loved all of Nancy's quilts that Gwen had in her book. Don't you wish there would be an exhibit of her string quilts?? I think your quilt is just awesome. Loved seeing it in Real Life! It's even better in person.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see a better photo of the two quilts on the right in the photo Nancy sent. They look pretty great too!
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ReplyDeleteWow, what a buzz!
ReplyDeleteFantastic compliment, LeeAnn.
ReplyDeleteIt will never happen ... but if I receive a compliment like that, I could do the stairs jumping 5 steps at time.ciao ciao
How exciting to get an email..and a photo! You must be thrilled?
ReplyDeleteI told you a while ago that I was stalking your quilt. I've started one and have all of the web pieces made, just working on the setting "kites".
Laying it all out to decide the sewing arrangement is going to be a huge challenge. I'm appreciating yours even more now! LOL
Just wanted to congratulate you and let you know how inspirational your quilt is to me. :)
Well, isn't that fabulous! I'm thrilled for you, I do love your quilt. I've just ventured into the world of strings, heaven help me!
ReplyDeleteIt's so exciting that she saw your quilt photo--which is also exciting. I heard from Shannon that there is an exhibit of your quilts at the Bernina store by Northgate right now. What is the ending date of your show?
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! How thrilling! I'd be yelling it from the rooftops :0).
ReplyDeleteOh Yes this quilt is a definite show stopper....I've loved yours right from the first block! Maybe one day when life gets a little calmer you'll have a sew along for us all to make that quilt :0).
Did you hang it in your show at the store?
Happy Sewing
What a lovely, sweet & kind thing for her to do!
ReplyDeleteAnd love the star in front of your string inspiration -- rosy pink & acid green, a classic combination!
What a cool e-mail. How fun to connect over such a lovely quilt. :)
ReplyDeleteFun emails are so fun! U have such a gift!!!
ReplyDeleteHow very cool! I just found your blog and LOVE it. I'm a huge string quilt fan.
ReplyDeleteSpring Equinox is such a fabulous quilt. Just gorgeous!
Love you quilt...Nancy is a super nice lady!
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