Ode to Diane
50” x 50”
2000
The four patchwork basket blocks that form a central medallion for this wall quilt were constructed at a workshop titled Sixteen Baskets of Mud, taught by Diane Gaudynski in the fall if 1999. The quilting was completed in March of 2000, just after a weekend seminar with Diane covering the various techniques of Heirloom Machine Quilting. As Diane and I grew to know one another, we discovered that we share a love of deep, rich colors combined with the traditional patterns of antique quilts. I dedicated this quilt, my first heirloom machine quilted piece, to my teacher who changed my life forever. Diane continues to inspire me with the incredible beauty of her quilts and her generous spirit.
I used my home sewing machine to stitch original drawings that create quilting designs and texture on the surface of the quilt. The same quilting designs that surround the central patchwork baskets were modified and repeated to fill the border space. A cartouche containing my initials and another with the date are at the bottom of the quilt. The quilt was constructed of cotton fabric, with 80/20 cotton batting. Mettler 60 weight cotton thread was used for the top and in the bobbin of my machine. It was completed in March of 2000.
One important lesson learned while completing this quilt. Is that for all of the time and effort put in to stitching elaborate quilting designed, the fabric chosen does not show off the designs, a solid piece would now be the choice of this experienced machine quilter.
This quilt is featured in “Guide to Machine Quilting” by Diane Gaudynski, published by American Quilters Society, 2002. This book remains in print 15 years later and is widely respected as one of the best publications on machine quilting.
© Joanie Zeier Poole 2000 Photo by Norman Lenburg
Detail images:
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Exhibits and awards
2000 Prairie Heritage Quilt Show, First Place, Wall Quilts
2003 Crazy Quilters Quilt Show, Best of Show, Machine Quilting
2004 International Quilting Assn., Chicago, Traditional Treasures Exhibit
2004 American Quilters Society, Nashville, Finalist
