If you’re following me on Instagram, you have seen that I am have been seriously collecting Amish and American patchwork quilts in preparation for the upcoming Pigtown Anglo-American Pop-Up Shop.
One of my theories of retailing is that I would never sell anything that I don’t love, would not have in my house or would not collect. When I began thinking about these quilts, I realized that I have been collecting them for several decades!
But it’s not just me who has a renewed interest in quilts. This recent piece in Fashionista outlines the resurgance in using quilts in fashion. And in the recent article on my friend’s house on Nantucket in Architectural Digest, there were quilts everywhere. In the “Design Notes” there was a mention of the quilts, with a reference to Calvin Klein. It was noted as “price upon request” which generally means that if you have to ask, you probably can’t afford it.
From the Calvin Klein website, comes this:
CALVIN KLEIN is pleased to present a series of vintage quilts, hand-selected from across the country, exclusively for the brand’s Madison Avenue flagship. Emblematic of both American heritage and a homespun, handcrafted ethos of days gone by, these one-of-a-kind pieces range in origin, dating from the 19th to early 20th centuries. Some arrestingly graphic, others intricately wrought, these heirloom objects are entrenched in America’s visual vocabulary, and synonymous in many ways with Chief Creative Officer Raf Simons’ vision for CALVIN KLEIN. At Simons’ debut for Fall 2017, vintage quilts lined oversized, utilitarian parkas, or became panel detailing on classic Wall Street topcoats; most recently they were seen on the Spring 2018 CALVIN KLEIN 205W39NYC runway, tucked under models’ arms.
Click the image above to see all of the quilts in the collection. No prices!
But Klein is not the only one who is using patchwork quilts in their designs. Rosetta Getty had these designs, using the Log Cabin pattern, in her spring 2018 collection.
I would murder for this jacket, from the collection of Emily Bode,
this is from Libertine,
and these are from Mimi Prober, all from their Fall 2018 collections
Quilts in fashion is such a trend that the New York Times has even written about it, in a piece amusingly titled, “This Old Thing?” For quilts that aren’t in museum condition, you can always re-purpose them like these pieces from Kelsey Parkerhouse’s Carleen.
So, I am letting you know that quilting is having a moment, and I am here to help!
...and don't forget this guy! https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/16/arts/design/quilts-ken-burns-international-quilt-study-center-museum.html
ReplyDeleteHere is the video about it. https://youtu.be/tdlRU5B3YsM
Deleteand don't forget the Kardashians...
ReplyDeletehttps://www.quiltingcompany.com/quilting-with-the-kardashians/
They are not even on my radar... but I did see this, although i don't think any of them are *actually* quilting!
DeleteWell, this is the 3rd attempt I have made to comment on this post. Perhaps it will be the charm. I absolutely love these quilts. I come from a long line of quilters; in fact, at this very moment, my 85 yr old aunt has a quilting frame, loaded with a project, set up in her formal dining room! I developed a love of needlework at a very young age, as my now long gone maternal grandmother taught me how to use a needle and thread and to piece quilts alongside her, making very small, uniform and tidy stitches....some of my fondest memories of her. Several years ago, I discovered Hawaiian applique quilting and took instruction from a wonderful teacher. Today, any sort of needlework is one of the most self-nurturing and relaxing endeavors I can take part in to soothe my soul. I hope your pop up shop is a smashing success. Your quilts are glorious!
ReplyDeleteAwwww. thanks, Vickie! How wonderful that your aunt still quilts!
DeleteVery cool, I have 5 yards of a crazy quilt (completely hand embroidery) yardage from the 90's that I have been sitting on for a coat----guess now will be the time to use it.!
ReplyDeleteDo it! That could be fabulous!
DeleteMeg, this is a great idea -- using a poor-condition vintage quilt as yard goods -- with random stitches all over the place, in hip-hop inspired calligraphy -- to stabilize the damaged sections where the original crazy-quilt piecework which had disintegrated due to the original corrosive dyes of the period.
ReplyDeleteThat way, there are two contrasting layers of pattern on top of each other, commenting on the original fabric, 1880s & 1990s. Double your pleasure, double your fun!
This is a terrific post, Meg. Like many others, I am a big quilt fan. As a seamstress of mediocre skill, I toyed with the notion of learning how to quilt, but came to my senses after watching a series on PBS. Almost all of these contemporary styles are new to me, both the garment and the designer. Seeing quilts repurposed is a treat, as was the entire post!
ReplyDelete