This is the final article in a three-part series celebrating and honoring quilters of diverse backgrounds who have contributed their work to Curated Quilts in recent years. You can find the first articlehere and the secondhere.
What would Earth be like if we only had two or three species of animals or types of trees, just one climate, and a single season? Simply put, it would be boring. The diversity we find in the human race is beautiful and makes us incredibly more interesting than if we were all the same. Even within a single skin color, there are hundreds of different variations that are possible from person to person.
Curated Quilts is devoted to the promotion and innovation of modern quilting. But even within the quilting universe we appreciate and recognize there is room for different genres and modalities that draw makers. Whether it be nature, animal life, culture, or traditional versus modern art, variety is important to our ability to thrive and improve.
Convergence by Latifah Saafir, featured in Curves, Issue no. 7
Within the modern quilting community, Latifah Saafir is known for her bold and innovative modern quilts. Combining her training as an engineer with her lifelong passion for sewing, Latifah creates designs that are graphic and contemporary, featuring challenging techniques with meticulous attention to detail. A co-founder of both the Los Angeles Modern Quilt Guild and the worldwide Modern Quilt Guild, Latifah currently teaches workshops to guilds around the country.
Convergence was Saafir’s first foray into exploring top-stitched machine-sewn, bias tape applique. She had previously only seen bias tape on traditional quilts and stems or vines. She drew a bold design with gentle curves and was inspired by her love for Scandinavian design.Convergence eventually became Saafir’sNo Latitudequilt pattern and can be purchased on her website.
Saafir can be found online at www.latifahsaafirstudios.com and on Instagram at @latifahsaafirstudios. She will be teaching at QuiltCon Together in February 2021.
Rough Seasby Natalya E. Sumner, featured in Black and White, Issue no. 10
Natalya E. Sumner is a Houston based artist and has quilted since 2001. She enjoys creating many different kinds of quilts from various genres. In addition to Curated Quilts, her work has been featured in Fiber Arts Magazine. When she is trying to create a specific look or feel to one of her quilts, she will sometimes dye her own fabric and use it to elevate her work. Sumner enjoys enhancing her skills by studying digital design and has completed many custom pieces in recent years for clients.
Shipping Container Condos by Natalya E. Sumner, featured in House, Issue no. 6
Sumner can be found online at www.nescreates.com and on Instagram at @nes_creates
Erosion by Tomomi McElwee, featured in Curves, Issue no. 7
Tomomi McEwee is a Japanese quilter living in Ireland where she runs Slaney Quilting Studio. For Tomomi, the best thing about quilt making is the ability to express herself through pattern, fabrics, adding texture, and decoration with quilting. She has won numerous prizes at the All Ireland Open Quilt Competition in the Tinahealy Show. She set up Slaney Quilting Studio as a place for people to come and learn to make patchwork quilts in the countryside. Her studio is open for classes and workshops, fabric shopping, quilting services, and commissions
Tomomi can be found online atwww.slaneyquiltingstudio.com and on Instagram at @slaneyquiltingstudio.
Spring Waltz by Christine Yi
@christineyi_sew
Christine Yi is a Portland-based quilter. When not quilting, Yi teaches piano and loves yoga. Her small quilt,You Are Here, won third place in the Small Quilts category at QuiltCon 2019 and her quiltOh, Dear! won first place in the Mixed Technique category at IQA’s Festival of Quilts in Houston 2017.
Yi can be found on Instagram at @christineyi_sew
Elijah based on the painting, Head of a Negro by John Singleton Copley (1777-1778) by Kim Pierce, featured in Applique, Issue no. 11
Kim Pierce is a self-taught quilter and has been quilting since 1997.
Elijah based on the painting,Head of a Negro by John Singleton Copley (1777-1778). Pierce began the quilt in 1999, and as happens to some projects, it was tucked away until it was finally finished in 2019.
Pierce can be found on Instagram at @kimbaquilts