DRAMA IN THE SIMPLE – AROUND THE FRAME

The article details the fourth biennial quilt show hosted by the Harlan United Methodist Church, which showcased a variety of quilts under the theme “Blessed are the Piecemakers.” The event was organized by Shirley Spindler and her daughter-in-law Rose, and included a display of both hand-quilted and contemporary machine-stitched quilts, alongside a lunch service. The spotlight is on Shirley Spindler, a retired elementary school teacher, and her quilt titled “Chintz.” Shirley Spindler began quilting after her retirement in 1992, with the last five years being her most prolific. Her quilt, “Chintz,” is a modern interpretation of the traditional snowball quilt pattern, utilizing fabrics by the internationally recognized textile artist Kaffe Fassett. Kaffe Fassett's influence stems from his journey into vibrant yarn colors after a visit to a Scottish wool mill. He was inspired by the landscape's colors, which he found reflected in the yarns. A fellow passenger on a train taught him to knit, leading to his first design being featured in Vogue Knitting magazine. Fassett has since become a global inspiration for designs and patterns across various textile arts, including fabric, knitting, needlepoint, patchwork, painting, and mosaic. The article recounts Shirley's experience in acquiring Fassett fabric for her quilt. Her husband, Jerry, along with their son Jerry Lee and his wife Rose, surprised Shirley by stopping at a fabric shop after seeing a billboard. This unexpected stop allowed Shirley to find a diverse selection of Fassett fabrics for her projects, which Jerry Lee and Rose subsequently purchased as a birthday gift for her. The central Fassett fabric in her quilt offers a contemporary twist on traditional chintz, a cotton fabric that originated in India in the 1600s, known for its large floral designs commonly used in draperies and bedspreads. While Shirley typically favors more traditional patterned fabrics, the vivid pinks and purples of the Fassett fabric compelled her to use it, envisioning its perfect placement in her living room. The quilt's construction is described as relatively simple, requiring three months to complete. Its design philosophy emphasizes using fabric colors to create a dramatic “WOW factor” rather than relying on intricate piecing. Lisa Olinger provided the long-arm quilting, complementing the quilt’s contemporary aesthetic. The article commends Shirley for her willingness to explore beyond her usual “color comfort zone” and anticipates her next entry in the April 2016 show, encouraging her to embrace Kaffe Fassett’s advice: “Don’t be afraid of colour.” The author, Lois Levihn Eubank, is the owner of Born Again Quilts restoration studio and quilt gallery, located at 4005 South Wayne Avenue, Fort Wayne, IN. The studio operates on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 5:30-7 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. #QuiltShow #TextileArt #KaffeFassett #ShirleySpindler #Quilting #HomeDecoration #FabricDesign #HarlanMethodistChurch #ContemporaryQuilts #QuiltShow #TextileArt #KaffeFassett #ShirleySpindler #Quilting #HomeDecoration #FabricDesign #HarlanMethodistChurch #ContemporaryQuilts