Art Quilt with a Historical Twist

I have been a traditional quilter (hand piecer - hand quilter) since 1985 when I took my first class at our local community center - my son was two and I was looking for a creative outlet and a way to meet other moms. I became hooked on quilting the first night of class -- the teacher even said -- you love this don't you? I did and still do. I put away my oil paints and brushes and have never looked back.

I never thought I would venture into the art quilt arena though, but I have always been drawn to pictorial quilts because they tell stories. I decided in 2010 to try my hand at creating an art quilt, but I knew the wall hanging would have to tell a story, incorporate my love of history, and of course it would need to have an eagle motif on it.

My Defining Moment Art Quilt Series was born.

My definition of a defining moment is a point at which the essential nature or character of a person is revealed or identified and because of this moment, event, or discovery their life is changed forever.

This piece entitled "The Eagle: Walter Carlin Parks, Jr." is the first wall hanging in my series. It honors my dad whose defining moment, like so many others of his generation, was WWII. If you want to know the whole story about my father go to my web site: http://www.illinoisquilthistory.com/, go to the community by community section, scroll down to Atkinson, click on "Earning the Eagle's Badge," and you'll find my dad's story is there.

The aircraft carrier on fire (in the Storm at Sea quilt pattern) was my dad's ship the St. Lo.

It was hit by enemy fire and sank in the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

A "not so" final word about art quilts.....

I love the "no rules" aspect of art quilts - you can use ANYTHING in them from buttons to string to fabric to thread to ribbons to photographs (the list is endless) and it frees you up to create and tell a story the way you want to.