Connecting in Front of a Quilt (3 of 4)

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I have two vignettes to share that show how the creator can connect with the viewer. One shows the value of a really descriptive title, the other is an example of an effective artist's statement that draws the viewer in so they linger in front of the quilt.

I was walking through the Hand Work category at QuiltCon 2026 and I came across this little gem by Eleanor Kagan. Simple shapes. Very graphic. Saturated color. 

What’s it about?


Somebody came up beside me. We shifted positions so she could take a closer look at the quilt and I could read the artist’s statement. As soon as I read the title, I laughed out loud and my viewing partner came over for a closer look. We looked at each other and shared a good giggle. This was conspicuous enough for a third person to come up beside us, take in the title, and rush to bring over a friend to enjoy the moment.


Well done, Eleanor! We connected with your work, then we connected with each other, and I think we all felt a connection with you as its creator. 

I thought this was really clever. I absolutely identified with it on several levels: a growing desire to replace conventions with greater freedoms, (especially with private choices), the angst of contributing to the landfill coupled with a compulsion to repurpose, the quilter’s penchant for using every scrap of fabric, even an attraction to odd shapes.

It said so much, . . . clearly, uniquely, creatively, and with a sense of humor. 


The second exchange happened in front of “Look Close Judge Me,” by Tara Evans, the first place winner in Modern Traditionalism.


Again, a few people were looking at this quilt and one person read the artist's statement out loud:

"Look close. Come and judge me. Inspect my art. I display myself for your approval and enjoyment. This is me embracing the discomfort that can come with putting your artwork on display. I purposely left mistakes along the way, circling them with red hand quilting." 

Immediately we all shifted back to the quilt and moved in closer to look at the surface, sharing our observations as if we were finding hidden treasures. 


Brilliant. 

Any quilter can identify with this piece. It speaks of imperfections we know are in our work, the moment of decision to embrace them or try to fix them, and the emotions involved in presenting our work to the world. There is a lightness in this artist's statement hinting that the writer has a healthy perspective on the whole process. 

By highlighting the imperfections, she also (inadvertently or intentionally) educates the non-quilter, or novice quilter, on what standards the judges are using to evaluate a quilt. 

Whatever the viewer brings to this piece in terms of quilting knowledge, you come away grateful it's creator happily shared it, imperfections and all. 

Quilters don't always get to see the moments when people connect with their work, but it is really cool when it happens. 

😉


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