Portland Parlor Meeting, March 21, 2012

Our parlor meeting at Gerrie’s was very lively. Twenty members attended. We had a thoughtful discussion about SAQA’s new definition of a quilt. (The art quilt is a creative visual work that is layered and stitched or that references this form of stitched layered structure.) The group decided that we would challenge ourselves to make a 12”x12” piece working with this new definition and stretching ourselves as artists to meet the new definition (eg. something that would not normally be considered a quilt but that meets the SAQA definition of "referencing" a quilt). We set the deadline for the challenge to be finished for our meeting in October, 2012.

Nancy D. is working with New Space to put together a class for our group. The class will be centered around photographing art quilts. Lessons on photographing your quilt, lighting, resizing photos to meet prospectus requirements, etc. She will get back to us when the class structure is finalized and a date will be set.

A discussion presented itself about hanging quilts and preparing our quilts for exhibiting. Emphasis was on the size of the sleeve, (4’’ plus ¼” slack for shows with rods and poles) and the sleeve set in 1 ½” from each edge, dropped down from the top edge of the quilt. The wooden slat should extend from the sleeve but not beyond the edge of the quilt. There can be holes in the wood in the upper 1/3 of the slat or eyehole screws put into the wood. Using picture framing wire, run it outside the sleeve and attach it to the wood slat. The quilt is hung from this wire and must be taut. It is a good idea to prepare your quilt for both types of hanging, by the wire or with the pole and rod hanging.

We had some show and tell and a few critiques at this meeting. Each person requesting a critiqued set up what they wanted from the critique. It was comfortable and many good ideas were presented.

At this time we will alternate between Gerrie’s home and Elizabeth’s for our parlor meeting. Meetings will be on the third Wednesday of the month at 10 am-12 pm. The next meeting will be at Elizabeth’s on April 18th. Presently, the agenda will include some reports from the members who are attending the SAQA Conference at the end of this month. SAQA Oregon quarterly meetings will be held in conjunction with the CFG meetings. On the month of the quarterly meeting, there will be no Portland Parlor Group monthly meeting. June 13 will be the next SAQA Oregon quarterly meeting one hour prior to the CFG meeting that evening. It will be an informal meeting with reports from parlor meetings from all the regions represented. More details will follow before that meeting.

Many thanks to the participants of our meeting for coming and taking an active role in the group.

My husband and I found a website that gives lots of information about what makes a quilt, history and opinions about traditional quilts and art quilts. It is interesting. Here is the website--http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quilt_Art

Enjoy spring. As I look out my window tonight my car is covered in snow. I has to get better.
Betty Daggett