Quilts by Charmaine Strong
December 9, 2002 through January 31, 2003
UNCA Ramsey Library Blowers Gallery

"A quilt is more than fabric, batting and stitches.

It is a wonderful creation of the soul, expressing our personal statements, our likes and dislikes, our feelings, thoughts and loves.

I began quilting about fifteen years ago.  My mother was a talented seamstress and insisted that her three daughters begin sewing lessons at age twelve.  My older sister, an accomplished quilter, aroused my interest in quilting when she sent me a small quilt as a gift.  I started classes and was hooked.

For nearly thirty years I pursued a fast-paced, stressful career as a social worker, and I found that quilting offered a creative means to unwind and relax.  In addition to providing comfort to the soul, quilting provided decorative items for my household, ones that could be passed on to future generations. Despite long work hours, I’ve created many quilts, learning and experimenting with each.

In the past few years I’ve tried working with different fabrics, from slippery satins and raveling velvets to loose-weave flannels. With sufficient quilts for my household, my goal is to move away from the traditional toward more artsy quilts, with bold, dramatic colors."

'Soft Stars’

"In experimenting with fabric textures over the past few years, I decided to try flannel.  It has become very popular recently, and fabric stores abound with a vast variety of prints and colors.  Because it has such a loose weave, it can be difficult to work with, particularly if there are lots of pieces.  Each can stretch, meaning that the seams and pieces don’t match up correctly.  Hand quilting is more difficult due to the thickness.   Despite these difficulties, the end product has such a softness and warmth.  This particular design has a star, within a star, within a star.  For me it evokes images of being in a log cabin in the wooded Adirondacks, sitting with this warm, cozy quilt in front of a blazing fire on a cold, snowy night."