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| ANN ROBERTSON | xx |  | xx |  |
How would you
describe your art/craft? I am a fiber artist. I create art quilts (three layers
sewn together) using a variety of fabrics, including cotton, silk, wool, and
poly blends, but my favorite is antique kimono silk. I sometimes use paints,
dyes, and special threads, buttons or laces. Free-motion machine quilting is
often an important component of my design.
What kinds of items do you sell? What is the price range? I usually sell wall quilts that range in size up to 70" x 70." The prices range from $800-$1500.
How long have you
been doing this? I have sewed all my life, but
in 1995 we lived in Kobe, Japan, and I could not work as an EFL teacher
because the Great Kobe Earthquake made commuting impossible, So I started quilting.
Have you
travelled to Japan? I lived in Japan
a total of 10 years, in Komatsu City, Ishikawa, as an English teacher, and
later in Tokyo, Yokohama, and Kobe when my husband was a Foreign Service
Officer for the State Department. I
often went to the temple sales in Kyoto and bought antique kimonos that were
old or stained in some places but still beautiful to be used as pieces of
fabric.
What is your
favorite thing about working with kimono fabric? The silk is heavier than
commonly available silks like Habutai, and often has an interesting weave. In addition, they are often hand painted or
dyed. and the elegant patterns are unique. I am inspired by the fabric to
create an art quilt, instead of designing a quilt and then choosing fabrics for
it.
What is the most
challenging thing about working with kimono fabric? The fabric is often soft
and drapes well, so to use it in an art quilt I need to stabilize it. I also
have to take into account any damage in the fabric from soiling or from age. Lastly, the yardage is limited, and you can't
find another yard to match it on ebay.
ALSO... Creating quilts is a hobby for me, not a business, so I am
not set up as a company. However, I have sold quilts over the years. I like
exhibiting my quilts and have had quilts in special exhibits at the New England
Quilt Museum, the Virginia Quilt Museum, and the Texas Quilt Museum. My quilts
have been juried into AQS, IQA, Mancuso, and NQA shows. I belong to AQS, SAQA,
and to two local guilds, the Charlottesville Area Quilt Guild and the Fiber and
Stitch Art Collective. I would be happy to talk with someone who wants to buy a
quilt, exhibit my quilts, or schedule a talk.
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HERE ARE SOME OF ANN'S CREATIONS:
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