Gallery - The Space Quilt
The Space Quilt
by Sue Nickels and Pat Holly 2003 IQA Master Award for Machine Artistry Machine pieced, appliquéd and quilted. Cotton Fabric, cotton threads and cotton blend batting. Sue and Pat made this quilt as a tribute to their father, Gerald Holly and as a way of promoting an interest in the U.S. Space Program. Their father was an air force pilot in World War II and a test pilot in the 1950’s. After he retired from the air force he encouraged the sister’s interest in the U.S. Space Program, by watching all the early launches, culminating in the first man to walk on the moon. It was a good time to make the quilt as NASA has seen many challenges. Pat and Sue feel strongly in space exploration and hope this quilt will help keep it in the public’s eye. The quilt uses stitched raw edge machine appliqué. The appliqué was divided equally between the sisters, using original interpretations of all important aspects of the space program. Pat did much of the piecing and Sue did most of the machine quilting. An interesting part of the quilt is the dogtooth border. In free motion writing Sue stitched all the individual missions, dates and the astronauts that flew them in the orange flag areas. It is a true history lesson. Pat’s solar system in the center area was completely machine appliquéd! The quilt is in an honored spot at the museum in Paducah, along with it’s sister- The Beatles Quilt! |