Freida and the potholder fabric
A few weeks ago I got a phone call from a man who had read the article about me in the Post Star. His wife had recently died and he wanted to know if I could make potholders for his family out of some of his wifes clothes. It said in the article that my studio was in West Hebron, and knowing it was a small town he drove out thinking he would find someone who knew where I was. It wasn’t as easy as he imagined, but he find someone who gave him my phone number.
He showed up at my studio a few days later with a bag of clothes. He said everyone in his family cooked and would want a potholder so 30 would do. A few days later he called back and told me that one relative wanted 2 potholders, one to use and one to save. So he wanted 10 more and would bring by more clothes.
The next time he came he brought out 2 plastic bins filled with clothes and we went through them together pulling out the cotton and leaving the polyester. There were a couple of blouses that had special meaning that weren’t cotton and I told him I could use them on the potholders to be saved, not used. By the time he left he I was making him 44 potholders. He said it was all he could afford right now and if he needed more in the future, he knew where to find me.
I love this kind of work. It seems to serve community and connect people in a unique way. It feels close to the original purpose of art, something I’ve been interested in since I first became an artist.
I do believe the purpose of art changes and works in ways that are sometimes invisible to us for years. But the important stuff seems to have staying power and it eeks its way into our daily lives.
Some artists’ work effect whole cultures, others effect small groups of people, or just themselves.
That’s a lot of potholders all at once. I hope you get a dehumidifier for your studio barn.
Frieda`looks totally nonplussed by the upcoming task at hand. She is a Hoot! Cindy Chambers
Making pot holders out of her clothing is a great idea…I’m sure her family members will find them very meaningful. You are having quite an impact.
Love the way you are interacting with the donkeys…they sure look like little sweethearts.
By the way, I envy your new screened in porch. Ain’t life grand?
What a lovely idea! I wish I had thought of that long ago. I love your pics! Great job!
New kinds of heirlooms, what a wonderful gift to all of the woman’s relatives.
Where can I see all of the potholders? Thank you Maria
Laura Vancura
I’m sure these creations will be treasured by all who receive them. What a lovely thing.
How wonderful that you can make something for each of this man’s family to treasure.
For fabric that isn’t all cotton consider making lap quilts as useful items to remember a loved one.
I love the idea of making things out of a loved ones clothing. What a wonderful memory! When my husband passed away I couldn’t bear to throw away all his favorite flannel shirts so I cut them up and made a quilt out of them — his favorite hunting shirt, camping shirt, gardening shirt. I know each and every one. The flannel was rather hard to work with as it was old and stretchy but I love the quilt anyway. A delightful memory! The potholders will be treasured for a long time!
JoAnne, That’s so lovely, I’m sure making the quilt was as healing as having it is.