Frequently Asked Questions about Materials
- Where do you get your materials from?
Above all,I usually get my materials from FABMO, a nonprofit that gathers materials weekly from the San Francisco Design Center. fabmo.org Then they make the materials available to the public to keep them out of the landfill. Furthermore,these materials are new, high end , high quality fabrics. For example,linen, silk and other unique fabrics are readily available. Most importantly,these fabrics cannot be found in regular fabric stores. It is a win-win situation.
More recently, people have been giving me fabric.Thy know that I will put good use to it. Sometimes it is just a few yards and sometimes it can be more.When a loved one who sewed passes, they may leave behind a lot of fabric. This year I was gifted a lot of fabric in this category. I keep the pieces I think I might use and pass on the rest to others who may use it.
Frequently Asked Questions about Inspiration
- What motivates you?
Using fabrics and materials sustainably motivates me. I rarely throw anything out.
- Where do you get your inspiration/ideas from?
My inspiration comes from how the materials play with one another. I usually decide ahead of time which portfolio I will make next. It could be abstract, nature, or Mexican inspired.
Frequently Asked Questions about Time
- How long have you been sewing or quilting?
In high school,I took two years of sewing. Then I continued sewing. In the 1970s,I took my first quilting class at a neighborhood fabric store. I stopped counting my bed quilts at 300. Then around 2008, I began making art quilts.
- Doesn’t it take a long time to make a quilt ?
Yes, it does. But I used to think about writing a book. A quilt doesn’t take as long as that.
Sewing Questions
- What kind of a machine do you use?
Above all,my machine is a computerized Lily Husquavara.
- Do you sew by hand?
For instance,I hand sew my sleeves or fabric tubes. Furthermore,art quilts with facings are handsewn to the back. Moreover, most of my quilts are done by machine. On the other hand,I do sew small details or found objects on my art quilts. by hand. However, the majority of my work is machine pieced and machine quilted.
- Do you sew clothes?
In short,I rarely sew my own clothes anymore. In the same vein,I do not sew clothes for others.
Other Questions
- Do you do memory quilts?
I do make memory quilts. People give me or send me the clothes from their loved one. We work together to decide on a style that will work for the client. I have made wall art and traditional and non traditonal lap quilts from the clothes. As the work progresses, I send photos to keep the client informed of progress.
- Do you teach classes?
All in all,no, I don’t teach classes. However,post COVID I have starting a mentoring project. A more personal 1 on 1 situation based on what skills the student would like to learn or what direction they would like their sewing,quilting or art career to go. - Have you been to Paducah, Kentucky, home of the National Quilt Museum? No.
https://annbmayartquilts.etsy.com/
https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2017/07/fabric-layering-technique/
https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/10/something-about-memory-quilts/
https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2022/01/to-frame-or-not-to-frame/
