I am back from Tarrytown NY, where I was attending the American Quilt Study Group Seminar. As AQSG president Nancy Bavor noted, this is a little out of my usual oeuvre, but nevertheless I enjoyed hanging out with some of the most serious quilt history nerds on the planet. And I learned what is Linsey Woolsey! I thought I knew a lot about textile history and production, but there is always something new to learn. And…I learned from a historian named Rabbit Goody.
This delightful vintage confection (above) is a 19th century quilt from New York state, part of a collection that was presented by Sharon Waddell at this event. The applique reminds us of the fine handwork that we see in contemporary Japanese quilts. I took this photo as I ran through her exhibit, and the next 2 times I tried to return the doors were locked, so I am sorry I was not able to photograph the information card next to the quilt. I tried.
Anyway, this event attracts museum curators, journalists and authors, historians and quilt celebrities. One of the talks I attended was about Jean Ray Laury, presented by Tara Miller. Many of you older quilters will remember Laury. She was born 9 years before my own mother. One of Laury’s most significant books was ‘The Creative Women’s Getting-It-All-Together at Home Handbook’ written in 1977. My mother could have used that book. When I was a young mother juggling babies and a new business, I could have used that book!
I met her near the end of her life, when she visited Boulder and was the guest of honor at a party here. She sat down next to me and said she had heard such good things about me and my business. I was so honored that she even knew who I was! She was so kind and encouraging, and had these fabulous big red glasses which I remember very clearly.
Laury’s theme was empowering women, and one of her most well-known quilts was “Barefoot and Pregnant” made in 1985. It was inspired by an ignorant quote by a male politician. You can imagine.
Jean Ray Laury was a prolific quilter, a feminist, and an instigator. She helped women realize that they could be creative without sacrificing their responsibilities at home. From what I know, she became more sassy as she aged. May we all live long and be so sassy.
Thank you for supporting our family-owned business, servicing quilters for 25 years.
We are here for you!
Sharing your love of fabric…
Luana and Paul
Visit eQuilter’s Instagram, Pinterest or TikTok pages for Color and Design ideas.
Follow Luana’s Flickr Photo Pages for quilt & travel images, review our blog, or follow us on Facebook.
Check out our Video pages for interviews and show reviews.
Subscribe to Luana’s Artist Website blog for more creative inspiration.
Travel/Quilt Dates:
Sept 15-25 – Painting Retreat
Oct 31 – Nov 3 – Houston Quilt Festival
Nov 13 – Canada (CQA) Zoom Lecture
December 5-13 – Textile & Costume Italy Tour. Alpine Xmas Market Extension Dec 13-15.
Jan 21 – Visions Museum Zoom Lecture
