Dear Readers,
In the late 1990s upon becoming a mother to my daughter Monica and son Andrew, I found myself with an insatiable desire to learn how to quilt. I read many books on the subject and realized that even though I didn't yet own a sewing machine, nothing was stopping me from creating a quilt all by hand. After all, plenty of quilts were created long before sewing machines were ever invented.
And so I took the plunge. The quilt that you see behind me in this photo was my first-ever quilt, which measures 52"x52". Every single thing about it ... from the cutting, to the piecing, to the quilting, to the binding ... every single thing was executed entirely by hand.
Little did I know that the process of creating this quilt would become a rite of passage ... where with each stitch, I was authentically mastering the classic designs of the Dresden plate, the tumbling blocks, and other traditional motifs that are foundational to quilting. After it was complete, I not only had a quilt to be proud of, but a profound respect for the artistry and discipline found at the heart of the quilting community.
Upon finishing this quilt, my beloved husband Gerardo bought me a beautiful sewing machine — the Bernina activa 140 — which is the machine that I still use today. With it, I was able to create a quilt for Andrew, who at the age of 3 thought that he was a cowboy. To help express my affection for my little guy, I selected Western-themed fabrics and used a basic nine-patch motif to create a twin-sized quilt that still keeps him warm at night.
After making these two pieces, I discovered that quilts don't always need to be so big. I learned about a community of artists creating smaller, more artistic quilts ... to be hung or placed on a table. So for Monica, I made a much smaller alphabet quilt to help support her mastering the ABCs of early reading.
While all of this quilt-related discovery was taking place for me personally, I found myself developing professional knowledge about quilts as I became the editor for Stampington & Company's special art quilt publication titled Material Visions. As I coordinated works from various artists, my respect for the art of quilting widened to include artists who were imaginatively incorporating techniques and mediums from other disciplines.
About a year ago, through the support of my publisher Kellene Giloff, the vision for Art Quilting Studio was born. As soon as the concept was announced, I held my breath wondering whether we would receive the kinds of submissions that would reflect the power and passion of quilts that I wanted to offer in Art Quilting Studio. And once the submissions started coming in, I knew we had a winner.
For months, I've had the pleasure of working with Director of Photography Johanna Love who has been tireless in her willingness to shoot, shoot and re-shoot to yield photographs that are nothing short of magic. Senior Graphic Designer Nadine Alvillar has worked many late nights to design a magazine that casts the brightest light first and foremost on the artwork.
The art quilts that you find within these pages are offered by some of the most talented and forward-focused designers of our time. Jude Hill presents an intriguing column titled "What If" as she shares works reflective of her more than year-long exploration about circles (page 16). Denyse Schmidt offers a body of works where her minimalist interpretations of traditional designs have forged art quilts oh-so-poetically into the mainstream (page 30). Ruth Rae shares several works (page 8, 28, 90) that confirm what the fox from The Little Prince knows to be true, which is that, "One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything else is invisible to the eyes."
From the bottom of my heart, I am so happy and deeply honored that you have joined us as we embark on a journey where through the pages of Art Quilting Studio, we will chart a new course as we unleash the heart and soul of art quilting.
Authentically & passionately yours,
Jenny Doh
Editor-in-Chief & Director of Publishing
[This letter was published in the premier issue (June 1, 2009) of Art Quilting Studio.]
PS: I'd like to express gratitude to the art quilting community for their enthusiastic accolades for this premier issue of Art Quilting Studio. Thank you to SO MANY people within the quilting community for believing in the new and passionate approach of this exciting new magazine, and for so generously welcoming and embracing me and my entire team. I hope you'll join the fun with the December 2009 issue of AQS and consider submitting an art quilt of your own. The deadline for this issue is 7/15/09 and details for submissions can be found here. Thereafter, Art Quilting Studio will transition into a quarterly magazine in 2010, and be released every March, June, September and December. I look forward to working with you to build future issues that will hit the perfect note of art quilting in each and every page. If you have questions, ideas, or suggestions related to AQS, I welcome the opportunity to hear from you at jdoh@stampington.com. Thank you.
Beautiful work! I love quilting, I've been doing it for 38 years. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Cindy Geilmann | June 06, 2009 at 02:35 AM
Read through the whole magazine yesterday. IT was wonderful Jenny!
I see why you were so excited about it!
Posted by: Angela Harris | June 06, 2009 at 08:41 AM
I just completed my first quilt. http://katydiddys.blogspot.com/2009/05/comfort.html
There is something about quilting. You feel like you are tapping into a very special, old tradition. I can't wait to get a copy of the new publication.
Posted by: Laura Bray | June 06, 2009 at 08:50 AM
Jenny! I had no idea! You are a fabulous quilter. I could kick myself for not including a couple in the package I sent you last week. I wasn't thinking... I'm waiting for the magazine to show up here so I can grab it -- with bated breath!
Posted by: Colette | June 07, 2009 at 01:24 PM
I love to sew by hand as it's easier to take with me to the park or a over night stay. It's also therapeutic For me to sew by hand. I'm looking forward to checking out this new publication!
Posted by: Michelle Cummings | June 08, 2009 at 02:57 PM
Your quilts are great. I see you made a sampler quilt for your first one, just like I did, way back in the 70's. Quilting is so addictive. I found that loving to look at fabrics & colors is similar to looking all the pretty scrapbook papers out there.
Posted by: Sandy | June 08, 2009 at 07:48 PM