This quilt was created in 2001, my first full-size piece made to enter in major shows. My intention was to showcase original ornate designs and graphic images using Heirloom Machine Quilting. The rich fabric choices combined with the large-scale floral to enhance the vintage appeal of this piece so reminiscent of the textiles used for home decorating in the 1950's. To my surprise, as I began working with that brown floral, my mind became flooded with thoughts of my Grandmother, Julia Stegerwald Zeier. It had been over thirty years since she passed away and she was not normally in my daily thoughts. Just handling it brought back sweet memories of the wonderful home she lived in and the impact her presence made on my young life. The quilt is dedicated to her memory
Julia and my grandfather had endured the hardships of raising a large family during the depression. A home built for their retirement in the 1950's was a tribute to their perseverance. It was filled with love and there was a grand piano for Julia to play. My grandmother's memory is honored by including reference to her faith through the image of a Bible, and her love of music with the lyre. Interlocking hearts with the initials “M” and “J” quilted in the border indicate their 50-year marriage and nine hearts represent the children born of their union. A cartouche encircling Julia's initials is at the top of the quilt and another with my initials is at the bottom. This quilt will remain as a tribute to Julia's life for the future generations of my family and this treasure in my life will not be forgotten.
My quilt was Heirloom Machine Quilted on my domestic sewing machine, a Bernina 730 built in the 1960's. I used Hobbs Heirloom Wool batting, which filled the unquilted spaces like plump pillows and remained soft despite an abundance of tiny stitching. 100-weight Silk thread by YLI Corporation was used for the top thread as well as in the bobbin. The green and beige sateen, which adds to the vintage look of the piece, is manufactured by RJR Fabrics.
2007
International Quilt Festival, Chicago, Traditional Treasures Exhibit
2006
Dallas Quilt Festival, Second Place, Masters Division
Machine Quilter's Exposition, Teachers Award
Indiana Heritage Quilt Show, Honorable Mention, and Judges Choice
Home Machine Quilter’s Show, Best Solitaire Quilt
2005
International Quilt Assn., Houston, Faculty Exhibit
2004
Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival, Judges Ribbon
Three Rivers Quilt Festival, First Place Appliqué
Pacific International Quilt Festival, Finalist
Quilter's Heritage Celebration, Finalist
2003
Article in AMERICAN QUILTER MAGAZINE Winter
National Quilting Association, First Place Appliqué
International Quilt Festival, Finalist
2002
American Quilter's Society Show, Finalist
Quilting the Quilt, Second Place Large-Traditional
Prairie Heritage Quilt Show First Place Viewers Choice
and First Place Mixed Techniques
© Joanie Zeier Poole 2007 Photo by Norman Lenburg
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