May 22, 2011

pineapples!

I have been working on so many different things lately and haven't posted in so long that it's quite difficult for me to decide what to share first. So...Pineapples!! Ever since going to the Textile Society of America conference this Fall and seeing the amazing International Quilt Study Center in Lincoln, I have been freaking out about traditional quilt patterns. Specifically Amish patterns and the Ralli quilts of Pakistan. Well, not freaking out so much as really really excited. In both of these quilt traditions solid colors (vs. patterned fabrics) and simple geometric shapes are the focus. 

I'm trying to figure out how to express something new in traditional patterns. If not something new, then at least something "Kim". Sometimes I feel like it's impossible to improve on what has already been made because there have been so many amazing quilters and quilts around the world for hundreds of years. But I keep trying to remind myself that all I can do is try to express myself and make something honest and "Kim-ish" and hope that I can add to the history, not just repeat it.

So - here are my attempts at Kim-izing the traditional Pineapple quilt. I'm playing around with my own hand dyed gradations, piecing and then simulating different quilts in Photoshop.
The blocks:

 The patterns:





Posted by Kim Eichler-Messmer at

8 comments:

  1. Rosemary/sonrieMay 22, 2011 at 6:02 PM

    What a complicated design but so visually attractive!

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  2. Kim Eichler-MessmerMay 22, 2011 at 7:29 PM

    It is surprisingly complicated. The two blocks at the top are my 4th and 5th attempts at sewing a pineapple block. I tried to wing it a couple times and then decided a pattern was in order.

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  3. Mary AnneMay 23, 2011 at 7:15 AM

    Wow - I love all three versions...and the subtle differences between the three have such an interesting effect! At first, I thought the quilt blocks in the center were all the same...but then I looked closer. Your hand-dyed blues are gorgeous!

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  4. SharonMay 23, 2011 at 11:27 AM

    How impressive! I love blue and pineapples.

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  5. Rosemary/sonrieJune 9, 2011 at 10:27 PM

    My friend is a potter moving to KC in August with her husband who will be attending grad school. Do you have any sort of community links I can send to her about the local area, in terms of clay/artist resources, neighborhoods to live in, etc.? I noticed you live in KC, KS.
    Thanks for any help. I can email you back channel if that might be more appropriate.

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  6. Kim Eichler-MessmerJune 13, 2011 at 7:06 AM

    Right off the top of my head I can think of a couple things for her to look up:
    The Kansas City Artists Coalition and Charlotte Street Foundation/Urban Culture Project are great places to start. Red Star Studios is a local ceramics art center with classes, exhibitions, a store, and a residency program. Hmm...I'll try to think of some more and let you know. If you email me and remind me I can send you more information. Or you could forward my info to your friend.
    keichlermessmer(at)gmail(dot)com

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  7. Rosemary/sonrieJune 23, 2011 at 6:56 PM

    Thank you!!!

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  8. Patrick O'HarraJuly 19, 2011 at 12:40 PM

    Hi Kim,

    I have no idea what a pineapple quilt is but these are fantastic! As always, you're choice of color is great.

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