Blanket Statements: New Quilts by Kaffe Fassett and ... · PDF fileWhat changes did the artist adopt in making his ... quilters worked with whatever materials they ... Do you have

Ridehalgh Quilt, c.1860-1890

Looking Questions: Describe the shapes, patterns and

colors you see in this quilt. Describe the use of repetition in the

quilt design. How many patterns can you find in

this quilt? How does the use of black fabric add

dimension? Explain. What specific shapes can you find in

this quilt? List them. Do you think this quilt was made by

an individual or more than one person? Why?

How is the design creating an optical illusion? Explain.

About the Artwork: This historic quilt was made for Colonel J. M. Ridehalgh and his wife of Fell Foot House and estate in England. It was a gift for them made by their female servants. The quilt’s “mosaic” style patchwork is made from silk, brocade and velvet; each individual piece has a gold silk braid border. It is backed with a paisley design cotton and red wool reverse which has been quilted in a chevron design to a central cotton wadding. Using paper templates, the quilt pieces were hand sewn making the construction of this quilt a time consuming task.

Download a copy of these activities on Learn with the Michener: www.Learn.MichenerArtMuseum.org

Blanket Statements: New Quilts by Kaffe Fassett and Historical Quilts from the Collection of the Quilt

Museum and Gallery, York, UK

Ridehalgh Quilt, c.1860-1890, 205cmx210cm, On loan from The Quilters’ Guild of the British Isles/ Kaffe Fassett Studios.

Blanket Statements: Gallery Activity

Find the Kaffe Fassett quilt in the exhibition that was inspired by the Ridehalgh Quilt from the mid to late 1800’s. What changes did the artist adopt in making his design? How would you describe their similarities and differences? Sketch a section of Fassett’s quilt design in the area below. Title of Kaffe Fassett’s Work: ___________________________________ Describe the similarities and differences with the Fassett quilt versus the

historical quilt:

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Your Sketch:


Church Window Hexagon Top, c.1825-1875

Looking Questions: Describe the shapes, patterns and colors

you see in this quilt. How many different shapes do you see? What color catches you attention first?

Why? How does the use of color change create

movement in the quilt? How is the color red important to the

design? Why do you think this design is named

Church Window? Explain. Does this design remind you of

anything?

About The Artwork: Cathedral window quilts are one of the quilt styles that capture the beauty and essence of a church window. Throughout history, churches and cathedrals have been a major inspiration seen in many styles of art, as in this quilt, reminiscent of a stained glass window design. This quilt is composed of 323 square blocks containing elongated hexagons around a square with triangles in the corners. It is made from a variety of printed and plain cottons including Turkey Red and mourning purple prints, and has been pieced over papers.




Church Window Hexagon Top, c.1825-1875, 213cmx234cm, On loan from The Quilters’ Guild of the British Isles/ Kaffe Fassett Studios.


Find the Kaffe Fassett quilt in the exhibition that was inspired by the Church Window Hexagon Top from the 1800s. What changes did the artist adopt in making his design? How would you describe their similarities and differences? Sketch a section of Fassett’s quilt design in the area below. Title of Kaffe Fassett’s Work: ___________________________________ Describe the similarities and differences with the Fassett quilt versus the

historical quilt:

__________________________________________________________________

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Your Sketch:

After Your Visit: What is Turkey Red? Church Window Hexagon Top uses a special color called Turkey red. It is a color that was widely used to dye cotton in the 18th and 19th century. It was made by the madder root to produce a vibrant red color. It originated in India, and spread through Asia Minor. It was then produced in Smyrna and Adrianople, (names of former cities in Turkey) giving rise to the term, “Turkey Red”. It is mistakenly thought that this color was a particular color (such as burgundy, etc.), when it is actually a dye process that is complex, long and laborious. It was brought to Europe in the mid-1700s, first to France and later to Scotland. Westerners embraced this dye as a major discovery, because it was one of the few bright reds they knew that did not fade significantly from exposure to light or washing. Explore the process of creating this color and research other quilts of this timeframe that used Turkey Red.


Thirties Small Squares Top, c.1930-1939

Looking Questions: What do you see? Describe all the details

you can find in this work.

Describe the colors that are used in this

quilt. What color do you notice first? Why?

The patterns in this quilt are creating an

optical illusion. What elements in the

design are creating this illusion?

How do the fabrics used contribute to the

overall texture of the quilt? Explain.

The fabrics used in this quilt were reused or

recycled. If you could create a quilt, what

other kind of material would you use that

would be recycled? Use your imagination!

About the Artwork:

Because of the patchwork squares design, this

historical quilt is named Thirties Small Squares Top. It was made in the 1930’s when quilt

making experienced a huge surge in popularity. During the thirties, times were hard and

quilters worked with whatever materials they had available, repurposing clothing or any

other fabric that was still salvageable. At this time, the national quilt revival provided

many quilters with a creative way for women to contribute to the household income.

This quilt is made from small squares measuring one inch on each side, pieced over

papers and arranged in a “Trip around the world” block design. The card templates are

still present in the reverse, and the top has not been backed, although it has been neatly

finished on the edges. The top has a large range of 1930s dress and some

furnishing fabrics.




Thirties Small Squares Top, c. 1930-1939, 138cm x182cm, On loan from The Quilters’ Guild of the British Isles/ Kaffe Fassett Studios.


Find the Kaffe Fassett quilt in the exhibition that was inspired by the Thirties Small Squares Top quilt from the 1930s. What changes did the artist adopt in making his design? How would you describe their similarities and differences? Title of Kaffe Fassett’s Work: ___________________________________ Describe the similarities and differences with the Fassett quilt versus the

historical quilt:

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__________________________________________________________________

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Can you find another quilt in the exhibition that uses recycled materials?

Name of Artwork:__________________________________________________

What materials are being reused? _____________________________________

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After Your Visit: Op Art Research another artist that uses optical illusions in his or her work. For example, look at the work of Op Artist Bridget Riley. Compare and contrast the quilt design to some of her artwork. What similarities and differences can you find?


Wheels Quilt, c.1850-1900

Looking Questions: Describe what you see in this quilt. What repeated shapes do you see in the

quilt design? Do they remind you of anything?

Why do you think the quilt is named Wheels Quilt?

How does the combination of light and dark fabric play a role in the overall quilt design?

What elements create movement in this work? Explain.

Do you have a favorite area that you like to look at most? Why?

About the Artwork: This quilt has been hand pieced and machined in roller printed dress cottons which include striped, floral and check designs to produce a wheel effect in patchwork. The quilt is also machine quilted. This work inspired two quilts by Kaffe Fassett, Hot Wheels and Cool Wheels. He states, “My favorite kind of scrappy quilt has blocks repeated of the same motif, but done with endless varieties of light and dark fabrics. This one is quite pastel, with just a few dark corners for emphasis. I love the use of plaid and red and white stripes among the textures and small prints in soft pinks, grey and creams. The main thing to catch a quilt-maker’s eye is the subtle use of curves amongst the sharp triangles that create mitred stars throughout.”




Wheels Quilt, c.1850-1900, 222cmx255cm, On loan from The Quilters’ Guild of the British Isles/ Kaffe Fassett Studios. Angela Brocklebank Bequest.


Find the Kaffe Fassett quilt in the exhibition that was inspired by the Wheels quilt from c.1850-1900. What changes did the artist adopt in making his design? How would you describe their similarities and differences? Title of Kaffe Fassett’s Work: ___________________________________ Describe the similarities and differences with the Fassett quilt versus the

historical quilt:

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After Your Visit: Contemporary Connections Renowned artist Faith Ringgold is known for her painted story quilts, combining painting, quilted fabric and storytelling. Explore her quilts for their symbolism and narratives. Select one of her works to compare to a historical quilt in the exhibition and discuss their similarities and differences.


Autumn Crosses, 2014 by Kaffe Fassett

Looking Questions: Describe the shapes, lines, patterns

and colors you see in this work. How does the artist use positive and

negative space to trick the eye? How does the artist use color to

create balance in the design? What do the shapes remind you of? How do the colors make you feel? Why do you think the artist named

the quilt Autumn Crosses? If you could give a new title to this

quilt, what would it be? Why?

About the Artwork: Autumn Crosses is an interpretation of the traditional Log Cabin design quilt, which is the Elderton Log Cabin, 1890 - 1899, on view in the exhibition. These types of quilts were said to have represented log cabins on the prairie. The design dates back to Egyptian times. Fassett uses patterns of rectangular shapes and complementary colors to create an overall warm feeling to the quilt design. Since the blocks are made with narrow strips of fabric, Log Cabin quilt designs are among the most popular and easily recognized of all quilt patterns. The traditional design is made by sewing strips around the sides of a center square, varying the values between light and dark.




Kaffe Fassett (b.1937), Autumn Crosses, 2014, 66x72in, Designed by Kaffe Fassett; constructed and quilted by Pauline Smith. On loan from The Quilters’ Guild of the British Isles/Kaffe Fassett Studio. Photograph by Dave Tolson.


Using the grid below, sketch your own Log Cabin design. Begin your quilt by drawing a central square and surround it with rectangular shapes using a repeat pattern on all sides of the square. Think about your positioning of light and dark colors and how it will create contrast within your design.


Organic Radiation, 2014 by Kaffe Fassett

Looking Questions: Describe what you see in this quilt. List

all its details. What shapes were used to create this

design? This quilt is considered to be created in

a “medallion” design. Why? How did the artist use color to create

balance? How did the artist use the historic

“diamond in a square” design? Why do you think the artist named the

quilt Organic Radiation? Does this title help you understand the work?

How do you feel when you look at this work?

About the Artwork: Popular through the early 1800s, Medallion quilts were made in a style that had been brought to America from Europe by the colonists. It is made of a central motif sur-rounded by multiple borders. The center and borders could be pieced, appliqued, or embroidered. Fassett uses a “diamond in a square” pattern in this work, a pop-ular motif used among English quilt makers in the first half of the 19th century. This work, inspired by the Hearts and Crosses Coverlet, 1875-1900, also has a historic garden-like aerial design, noted by the Curator at the Quilt Museum and Gallery, Heather Audin. She describes the design similar to the central flower beds of an ornamental garden, found in many historic houses. The surround-ing stripes echo the carefully planned and organized planted borders.




Kaffe Fassett (b.1937), Organic Radiation, 2014, 81x81 inches, designed by Kaffe Fassett; construct-ed and quilted by Pauline Smith. On loan from The Quilters’ Guild of the British Isles/Kaffe Fassett stu-dio. Photograph by Dave Tolson.


Be inspired by Fassett’s Organic Radiation quilt! Using the grid below, draw your own aerial garden design by first sketching a central diamond inside a square. Then, add more diamonds and square shapes to the design. What other components will you add to your design to convey an aerial view of a garden?



After Your Visit: The Amish Quilt Connection The Diamond in the Square pattern used in Organic Radiation by Fassett, is also a pattern unique to the Amish in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania who began their quilting tradition in the 1870s and 1880s. The Amish did not bring a tradition of quilt-making to America; they learned to make quilts from their “English” neighbors, or people outside their community. By the middle of the 19th century, they adapted this center medallion quilt style popular to English quilt makers. This pattern was wide-ly used by the English in the first half of the 19th century. Early on, the Amish approached their quilt-making using large pieces of single-color fab-ric which was partially due to their conserva-tive lifestyle and religious beliefs prohibiting naturalistic images. By the end of the 19th century, they used more colors and de-sign elements. Quilts that were made with large geometric pieces of solid color fabric such as the Diamond in the Square Quilt, were still the most popular. Most quilt patterns by the Amish are composed of geometric shapes and consist of a central design surrounded by borders. Visit the American Folk Art Museum’s website http://folkartmuseum.org to explore their collection of Amish Quilts. Find one to compare to Fassett’s work and discuss its similarities and differences.


Kaffe Fassett (b.1937), Organic Radiation, 2014, 81x81 inches, designed by Kaffe Fassett; construct-ed and quilted by Pauline Smith. On loan from The Quilters’ Guild of the British Isles/Kaffe Fassett stu-dio. Photograph by Dave Tolson.

Candy Zigzag Ribbon, 2014 by Kaffe Fassett

Looking Questions: Describe the colors, shapes, patterns

and lines you see in this quilt. This quilt is considered a medallion style

quilt. What aspects of this design do you think give it this title?

How is the artist creating depth or a sense of space within the design? Explain.

How does the artist create balance in the design?

Why do you think the artist named the quilt Candy Zigzag Ribbon?

For fun and using your imagination, if you could associate a type of candy with this quilt, what would it be?

About The Artwork: The Candy Zigzag quilt design by Fassett was inspired by the Medallion quilts popular through the early 1800s. These quilts were made in a style that had been brought to America from Europe by the colonists. Fassett’s design is made using a central motif surrounded by multiple borders. The center and borders could be pieced, appliqued, or embroidered.




Kaffe Fassett (b.1937), Candy Zigzag Ribbon, 2014, 72x72 inches, designed by Kaffe Fassett; construct-ed and quilted by Pauline Smith. On loan from The Quilters’ Guild of the British Isles/Kaffe Fassett stu-dio. Photograph by Dave Tolson.


Find the quilt that inspired the Kaffe Fassett quilt, Candy Zigzag Ribbon. What changes did the artist adopt in making his design? How would you describe their similarities and differences? Title of historical quilt: ___________________________________ Describe the similarities and differences with the Fassett quilt versus the

historical quilt:

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Blanket Statements: New Quilts by Kaffe Fassett and ... · PDF fileWhat changes did the artist adopt in making his ... quilters worked with whatever materials they ... Do you have

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