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Quilt Sells for $10,000 at Richmond
Charity Event
Richmond, VA, September 5, 2007: Last month's Cure By Design Fashion
Show, an American Cancer Society fundraiser that celebrates cancer survivors,
showcased the work of two Richmond-area quilters, Joyce Hartley of Quilting
Adventures in Richmond and Debra Jacobs of Cottage Garden Quilting in
Mechanicsville. Hartley was approached earlier this year by one of the
Cure By Design planning committees to put together a large quilt to use
as the backdrop of the runway for the annual event. The design concept
was by Robin Wheeler of eggblue designs, who met with Hartley to discuss
her interpretation of the design and how to translate the graphic into
a one of a kind piece in keeping with the theme of the event. Hartley
brought together several friends and teachers from her shop for a "work
party" to kick off the assembly of the quilt background; several
of these participants are cancer survivors themselves. The background
of the quilt includes several fabrics donated by Michael Taylor of Michael
Taylor Couture and many fabrics that Hartley collected based on her broad
experience as an art quilter. Hartley completed the sewing of the quilt
herself, turning to Ellen Kuzemchak, an avid sewer and machine embroiderer,
to provide the embroidery to embellish the quilt with the names of each
cancer survivor who would be participating in the fashion show.
Once the quilt top was completed, Hartley called on the expertise of local quilter Debra Jacobs, owner of Cottage Garden Quilting, to provide the long-arm quilting that would take the top and turn it into a quilt. The process was at times overwhelming because of the extraordinary size of the quilt, the many non-traditional fabrics used and the logistics of putting together such a large piece. Through it all, the shared passion for quilting, and the knowledge of the critical purpose of the event kept the group moving forward.
The night of the event was simply overwhelming for the three quilters in attendance. To see the incredible exuberance of the cancer survivors and the beauty of the runway, all set the stage for the exciting outcome. Their collaboration resulted in a $10,000 final bid for the quilt. The piece is anticipated to hang at the new Saint Francis Cancer Facility.
In addition to their excitement at having been a part of raising money for cancer research, the quilters were all very proud to see that their quilt had been accepted by the community as a work of art. "So many people still think of quilts as just something to keep you warm at night - which of course they still are - but they can be so much more. This piece, because of its size and design and the materials used, is not something to sleep under, it's something to hang in a public area to be enjoyed as art," Hartley says. Kuzemchak's beautiful renditions of each survivor's name greatly contributed to the quilt's uniqueness; she was especially pleased when proud survivors posed for pictures in front of the quilt after the runway show had concluded. Jacobs was ecstatic at the outcome. She is relatively new on the quilting scene and had not anticipated such a strong showing for the event. "Customers, friends and colleagues came out and shared their personal experiences with cancer and how proud they were to know that I had such a special part in this event."
For further information feel free to contact Joyce Hartley of Quilting Adventures at 804-262-0005 or Debra Jacobs of Cottage Garden Quilting at 804-393-0856. Photographs of the quilt can be seen on the shop's website at www.quiltngadventures.com.
The night of the event:
The quilt in the early stages:
Texas Hill Country named Quilting Adventures - Hill Country Style, you'll find them at
www.quilting-adventures.com
All text and images copyright 2004-2007 Joyce R. Hartley.