The “I CAN AND I WILL” — sustainable/affirmation quilt show by Guild House member Sheri Marshall recently opened in the Charles Alvin Lisanby Gallery at the Princeton Art Guild, according to a news release from the organization.
The show will be highlighted May 16 through June 30.
Why sustainable quilting?
“Quilts have been around for hundreds of years. Quilts were made because they were needed for warmth — so functional quilt making became a matter of survival. During the late 1800s, cloth was expensive and hard to come by. Well-worn and ‘multi-repaired’ shirts, pants or outgrown garments were cut up to make quilt tops and used for batting. Nothing was wasted,” Marshall said.
“Fast forward to the 21st century and quilts, in part, are now being used as a way to reuse quality shirtings and medium weight fabric. Why? There are over 100 billion clothing items being manufactured a year, with millions of clothing items ending up in landfills across the world. Rather than dispose of that beautiful, plaid cotton shirt, quilters are re-purposing the fabric.
“I am one of those quilters that believes up-cycling should be incorporated into quilting practices. It is my way of assisting with environmental waste prevention.
“The quilts included in the exhibit are created primarily from men’s cotton shirts, drapery fabric, recycled sheets and/or tablecloths. Quilts use new batting and backing may be new, to add stability, or repurposed. Quilt patterns take into consideration the best use of existing materials, i.e. the ‘Sleevie Wonder’ quilt is made exclusively from long shirt sleeves.
“I’ve been hand and machine sewing/quilting/garment making/beading/creating with clay since I was a child. I love the arts, functional art and educating others on the importance of community art projects and art education at any stage of life.
“Inspiration for quilt pieces is generated by the love of modern quilt design elements. in addition to fiber, I also work in clay and fused glass.”
The art guild said an artist reception to honor Marshall and her work will be held 2-3:30 p.m. Sunday, June 4 at the Guild House. This is a free, come and go casual event. Visitors can stop in for five minutes or stay the whole time. Light refreshments will be available.
