Creating Appliqués

I loved my Grandmom Bessie very much. As a child, I was happy to keep her company while she cut and sewed fabrics into dresses for her family. A dress made by Grandmom was always treasured.

After graduating from The Philadelphia College of Art (UArts) in 1961, I began creating fabric appliqué and stitchery wall-hangings of my own design, using the same kinds of coat, suit and dress fabrics Bessie had used years ago. I felt close to Grandmom while I sewed.

Appliqués were built up in layers of fabric sewn onto a larger background fabric. Early appliqués were hand sewn. Later, larger fabric areas were machine-stitched. I enjoyed working with the textures, patterns and colors of the cashmeres, mohair, fake furs, ultra suede, upholstery fabrics, yarns and threads, buttons and beads. I created appliqué and stitchery designs until 1990.

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