Information on Commissions

    I have sewn many quilted portraits. Unlike standard

portraits, my quilts are stitched together to show a

woman’s life and work, not her face. They show what

was important about her, not what she looked like

(although photographic portraits can be transferred

to cloth and sewn into the quilt, if you want). What was

most memorable about your mother, grandmother, wife,

sister? Do you still have that flowered apron she wore?

Do you have a box of her old crochet in the attic? Is there

a forgotten bag of grandma’s lace and linens hiding in the

closet? If you are interested in using them to commission

a quilt portrait, here’s what to do:

  1. Gather up any clothing, jewelry, tools (scissors, pin cushions, cooking tools, gardening gloves, whatever) and other memorabilia. It doesn’t matter it the items are torn or stained. The important aspect is the emotional connection: if she loved her old typewriter, I can take it apart and include it in the quilt. What was important to her? What do you remember most about her? Often, something small - a locket, a pin, some ribbons - are more meaningful than an expensive coat.

  2.  Email me the list of what you have. It doesn't have to enumerate every item, just give me a basic sense of what you have. Are we talking about an entire 90-year-old wedding trousseau or a small collection of crocheted hankies? I also need some idea of what you want. Are you interested in a small quilted wreath made from her old cotton gloves? Or are we talking about a ten foot high assemblage of all her old designer dresses? Most people don’t know quite what they want, but you will need to have a size in mind.

  3.  After I get your email, we'll talk (please include your name, phone number and address). You can tell me your thoughts, I'll ask questions, you'll ask more questions, and well decide how to proceed. Having your list and size before we talk makes it much easier for me to conceptualize your project.

  4.  We'll also discuss transporting your items, a time frame, and cost. This is very labor-intensive (I must carefully hand wash everything before I even begin all the hand sewing). So yes, it is expensive: generally, it starts at about $100 per square foot.

    This quilt was commissioned by a husband for his wife's birthday. He only had a few of her old childhood clothes. Since she is a costume designer, I added sections from an old mannequin   and  two elegant pairs of gloves. Tape measures and brass zippers form the border.

  One woman's collection of old protest Tshirts

and buttons became a quilt  

    Commissions        

    The hands of two chiropractors are seen adjusting the spine and easing the pain

Bat Mitzvah photos were transferred

to a vintage cloth for a special gift.