I got the batting and backing on “Aprons” today, but once I hung it I found that all the aprons threw it off. Because of the pleats in the aprons, it bunched up in odd places, was lumpy and uneven. So I got my stool and pin cushion and started pinning.
I felt like a tailor fitting a dress. I’ve never seen a professional tailor at work in person, only in the movies. I have a black and white image in my head of a man holding pins in his mouth folding and pinning hems, pulling at waists and shoulders. The tailor is highly regarded, a master at his craft. So serious and good at what he does it is a pleasure to watch him work.
Then the image is in technicolor. There is a girl in a dress that hangs to the middle of her shins. She’s standing on a stool and a woman, her mother, is holding pins in her mouth and asking the girl to turn as she hems the skirt. Being a teenager, the girl is whining about something and her mother is just as annoyed as she is.
So I pinned the pleats of the aprons and pulled the stitches from the bottom of the quilt and hemmed it so the fabric fell flat.
I was the tailor and the mother.
Hi Maria, What imagery you had during your perfecting of this beautiful quilt! I bet it helped get you through these final stages. YOU are a master of your craft. I hope you know how very unique your creations are. Pure eye candy! And Frieda is the sweetest girl seeing you through it all! You must just love her sooo much.
We’re making it through the Holidays a day at a time. In the spirit, Cindy
Good holiday advice, hope I can remember it.
The tailor and the mother – the yin and the yang, both complementary forces in the universe. The mother creates, as does the tailor.
Maria – My grandfather was a tailor and you’ve got that description just right. When I would go to his shop, I loved to play with all the pin cushions. And I remember my mother making a flowing flowered skirt for me, pinning up the hem as I stood on a little stool and she asked me to “turn, turn, turn”. Thanks for reminding me of those images. I love the Rita quilt and look forward to watching her evolution.
Ah Victoria, your story made me smile, I guess it’s a shared one.
I have loved watching the Rita quilt evolve. Seeing my mom’s aprons in the early and final version makes me happy. Giving the aprons to you gave them a new life as art and I thank you for your vision.
Laura, I knew when you sent them I wanted to do something special with them. I guess it was meant to be, I’m glad you were happy with the results. I came to love the iconic form of the apron. It added another whole element that I didn’t think of until I started working with them. So thanks again!
Do you know how many quilts Rita will have?
not at this point, I guess I just have to see where she wants to go. I have several ideas at this point.