DriftlessRootsFeb 27
InarticulateQuilter

#CelebratingBlackQuilters

#BlackHistoryMonth

Betty Ford-Smith (1951-) is the foremost contemporary creator / instructor of traditional African American pinecone (or pine burr) quilts. Often weighing up to 30 lbs, each hand sewn quilt from this Florida native can include careful spiral placement of more than 4,000 folded triangles

Representative work:
Pinecone Baby Quilt (You Are My Sunshine)

Cotton
40” x 40”
2022

More info:
https://createwhimsy.com/projects/spotlight-betty-ford-smith-pinecone-quilter/

Photo credit: Appleton Museum

#Quilting

Feb 27 at 3:23pmWeb
Show threadFrank SkorniaFeb 27

@inarticulatequilter Oh wow. These are remarkable!
I'll admit, I'm lazy and really like machine sewing, but now I'm thinking about ordering her book to learn this technique. I could at least try a small project.

My brain just lights up at geometric shape patterns and this also looks like it would have the most incredible texture to run your hand over.

Show threadJeff Miller (orange hatband)Feb 27

@fskornia @inarticulatequilter Piecing folded fabric for texture is a technique that's news to me, and what a story about the quilting mentorship. (I also like texture).

Pinecone quilts.

Show threadJeff Miller (orange hatband)Feb 27
@fskornia @inarticulatequilter Aha and Create Whimsy also has a tutorial on the technique! https://createwhimsy.com/projects/pine-cone-quilts/
Pine Cone Quilts: Free Tutorial and Project Ideas

Learn how to make a pine cone quilt with these step-by-step directions with images using prairie points to create the design.

Create Whimsy
Show threadFrank SkorniaFeb 27
@jmeowmeow @inarticulatequilter I have to laugh that there is probably a ton of pressing - which is of course the step that sewists really /love/ to do!
Show threadJeff Miller (orange hatband)Feb 27

@fskornia The tutorial has machine sewing instructions so that might help you with pinecone quilting.

I'm mostly a hand stitcher since setting up and tearing down the sewing machine is enough to stop me most times, and I like portable projects.

Show threadFrank SkorniaFeb 27
@jmeowmeow I used to sew in a room we also used for things like games, building Lego, etc. It was a also a great room for zoom meetings because it had great light from two sides and bookshelves all around. But it meant that my projects had to be packed and unpacked all the time.
I seized a corner of our finished basement, bought a bunch of furniture and it's been so nice having a stable fixed space to work in.
Show threadInarticulateQuilterFeb 27
@jmeowmeow @fskornia I put prairie points into baby quilts a lot because they are tactile and help kids learn hand-eye coordination, but pinecone quilts are next level
Show threadInarticulateQuilterFeb 27
@fskornia the technique seems like EPP on steroids, could see someone who enjoys EPP taking to it easily
Show threadEliJ quilting cataloguerFeb 27
@inarticulatequilter @fskornia I saw her being interviewed and was amazed at her strength (& artistry). Those quilts are so heavy!