I have been working on this Seminole Patchwork Sampler recently, and today I taught a class on how to do Seminole Piecing at my local quilt shop. Two wonderful students, Jane and Linda, participated in the class and we had a wonderful time learning the cutting and piecing techniques for these fabulous bright strips.
The bands were made by members of a recent small group who each made a band from a pattern designed by Barbara Siedlecki and hosted on the Quilter Community. Each quilter made one of the 7 bands. In exchange, I made a block of their choice for each of the 7 group members. I put the bands together this spring and finally got the binding on it today. The tiny piping was made with the Piping Hot Binding ruler by Susan Cleveland, which is wonderful in getting that tiny little piping to go perfectly between the border and the binding!
OK, as you can probably tell, the binding is on but I am still sewing it down. . . Alas, I am kinda slow with binding.
Here are the strips we worked on today in class:
We ran out of time before we got to make our fourth band. But we did cover all the basic techniques in the first three bands.
It was a great class and I want to thank Linda and Jane for making it so fun and Quilting Bits and Pieces Quilt Shop in Eudora, KS for hosting it.
I'm not a native Floridian, but I love Seminole Patchwork, the grandmother of strip piecing!
ReplyDeleteBesides taking a class with Reeze, a good reference is Cheryl Greider Bradkin's "Basic Seminole Piecing" with over 50 designs. It's from 1990, so you might want to look in a used book sale.
That sampler is fabulous! The piping is a lovely touch. Tell us how big it is!
Those lovely bright strips are so happy! I have never done any Seminole patchwork, but do admire the effect.
ReplyDeleteTruly a joy to look at. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteFor information on an important person who helped establish the first Seminole Tribe of Florida fair that featured these handmade treasures
see
SHE SANG PROMISE: The Story of Betty Mae Jumper, Seminole Tribal Leader
It is from National Geographic Society March 2010
Thanks for the reference to the NGS article. I have met many Seminole Tribal members in my job as a college professor at Haskell Indian Nations University, and I so admire the wonderful color and workmanship of their shirts, skirts and accessory pieces. I would love to study with one of their elders one day. Like you, I just love Seminole piecing and the simplicity of the technique and the complexity of the finished patchwork.
ReplyDeleteHi Reeze Hanson
ReplyDeleteThanks for your response. You must have a basket or a few of fascinating experiences from your university experiences at HINU.
Thanks for sharing that.
One of the resources I frequently share with folks interested in Seminole Tribe of Florida patchwork is -
www.ahtathiki.com
This is the web site of an important place to visit - the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum. It is operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida & is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Museum.
Some time when you are near Fort Lauderdale, you might be able to arrange your dream class with the Traditional Arts Coordinator or staff.
Good wishes, Jan
www.bookseedstudio.wordpress.com
nice knitting patterns
ReplyDeleteDo you have patterns available on how to make these?
ReplyDeleteDid anyone else have a problem with the July row measuring only 22.5" or is it just me? All of my other rows are spot on.
ReplyDelete