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www.QuiltAlliance.org
Weekend eBurst  September 7, 2012   
 
Why We Do What We Do:  
The story of an incredible life, documented safe and sound.  
Virginia Avery with wearable
Virginia Avery in her home in Port Chester, New York,
showing one of her quilted wearables.

Virginia Avery, a pioneer in the American Quilt Revival period beginning in the 1970's, passed away yesterday, September 6, just three weeks shy of her 100th birthday. "Jinny" was internationally known for her quilts and wearable art, and was also an accomplished jazz pianist--her band played on the Today Show and for UN delegates. Explore Jinny's Quilt Treasures web portrait to watch her video interviews and mini-documentary, and see photos of her quilts. The documentation of this incredible life is what the Quilt Alliance is all about.  

 

We thank all of our supporters who allow us to save quilt history for future generations. Funding for Jinny's quilt story was generously provided by Jinny Beyer, Lake Mills Studios, RJR Fashion Fabrics, Karey Patterson Bresenhan and Nancy O'Bryant Puentes. In-kind support came from Michigan State University Museum and MATRIX: Center for Humane Arts, Letters and Social Sciences Online at MSU. Thank you for investing in this project to document the life of this great artist.
 
Here is a short excerpt from Jinny's Quilt Treasures web portrait-- a testimonial from Jinny's longtime friend (and fellow Quilt Treasure) Bets Ramsey recounting a special visit to Jinny's studio in Port Chester, New York:

The studio was stacked high with all the necessities for a fabric artist. Orderly chaos. Jinny was working on a vest for her granddaughter's present and other projects were in sight. Jinny has a love of bold, bright colors and uses them to great success in her work. With years of experience she is sure and quick in planning and executing a design and the results is always smashing. I am sure her enthusiasm guarantees success in her classes.

 

Wearable art by Virginia Avery
"Of Thee I Sing Baby." Circular cape made as an invitational piece for the birthday of the Statue of Liberty, sponsored by the Museum of American Folk Art in New York City, 1986 - from March 1998 issue of Quilters Newsletter Magazine.

We also recommend:

A tribute to Virginia Avery by Karen Alexander on the Quilters Hall of Fame Blog

The Quilt Show: Alex and Ricky visit Virginia at her home in 2007

 
Happy Weekend, everyone!  
SueDayton's quilt
Quilt Index-Whig's Defeat_Louisiana  Quilt Index: Whig's Defeat_NC  

We recently heard from new Alliance member Sue Dayton of Roxy Farms Antiques in Saxapahaw, North Carolina. Sue had purchased a striking antique quilt (top photo above) and was eager to learn more about it. Quilt Alliance volunteer Merikay Waldvogel, quilt historian and lecturer from Knoxville, Tennessee, looked over Sue's photos and found the pattern to be a variation of Whig's Defeat, probably made in the 1850's or 1860's. Merikay said, "What was neat about Sue's quilt is that the pattern is not well known outside of the Southeast, but several were documented during the state quilt projects (Tenn, North Carolina, Louisiana, etc.)." She searched The Quilt Index and found five similar quilts from five different states, including one from Louisiana (above, left) and one from North Carolina. (above right).  

 

Thanks, Merikay and Sue, for taking us on a virtual quilt trip across the South! If you are new to The Quilt Index watch this new video to learn how you can Cruise and Use The Quilt Index with the Browse by Pattern feature.

Cruise & Use the Quilt Index: Browse by Pattern 
Cruise & Use the Quilt Index: Browse by Pattern video on The Quilt Index Youtube Channel

 

We hope you will be doing some actual traveling next week to attend our Quilters Take Manhattan event in the Big Apple. And if you can't make the journey this time--you can attend virtually by purchasing a "Home Ticket." For $25 you'll receive the event goody bag and first access to video footage from the day. Tickets still available but going fast: reserve your spot today!

Taxi graphic  

 

Hope to see you soon!
Amy

Amy E. Milne, Executive Director
The Alliance for American Quilts

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