Monday, February 9, 2015

Inspiration - Implimentation

I am always curious how people get their inspiration. When I look at a quilt (or a painting or sculpture) I wonder what inspired them to create it.

I will share one quick inspiration story with you. Over 10 years ago I saw a magnificent quilt on an online auction. Luckily I printed out the photo, because when I went back to check the progress of the auction I couldn't find it. I tried for months to find out who had won it or if it had even sold. I decided that I had to make my version of the quilt and if it ever surfaced, I would know where to give credit for my inspiration. This is the back.

Then lo and behold, I was reading Dawn's "Collector with a Needle" blog and there it was! 


I found out the owner of the quilt was Ann Hermes at Notes From the Quilt Lab. and that Dawn had been given the rights to draft and publish the pattern. I ordered the pattern immediately (I highly recommend all of her patterns, she has an Etsy site that you can get to from her blog) and I sent photos and a letter to Ann letting her know how happy I was to finally find the owner of the source of my inspiration. Of course as you can see I changed quite a bit from the original, but it is clear where the inspiration came from. Wendy is hand quilting her version of this quilt at Legend and Lace and it is simply beautiful! Do check it out.

This brings up an issue that is popping up a lot lately in national and local shows. I design most of my quilts myself and for me, inspiration comes from everywhere. However, when I find something like this that is so influential on the finished product, I have to give credit to the source of the inspiration. Most people think if you change a color or a particular border on a pattern that you don't have to give credit to the designer. If even one element of one of my quilts is inspired by another designer, I give that designer credit for that inspiration. Quilters are (for the most part) by nature a sharing and giving group. You want to share your wonderful quilt with others, we just all need to remember that when we make a quilt from a published pattern or even an interpretation of another quilter's design, it is imperative that credit is given to the designer. 

Rant over! Here are some close ups of my quilt I call "Pennsylvania Palette". And thank you Ann and Dawn for sharing this with the rest of us!



Enjoy the day!



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11 comments:

  1. The Quilted Finish February 9, 2015 at 11:09 AM

    Oh Wendy! I couldn't agree with you more! Many years ago I became very interested in traditional, European decorative painting. The first book I bought had very recently been published. I loved the designs and the little bit of information about the history and countries of origin of this beautiful folk art. In my usual manner the more interested I became I sourced as many books with antique , original pieces and history as I could . I was soon horrified to discover that many of the modern pieces that I had assumed were original designs were often exact copies of antique pieces, obviously with no credit given to the source! I was in my 20's and naive I suppose but I was so disappointed with the current artists who did not acknowledge the inspiration of their work. Throughout my life I have come across this in the various arts and crafts I have pursued. I'm happy to say that eventually this issue and the issue of copyright was addressed in modern decorative art publications. I am delighted to read your "rant"! Many quilters do share their source of inspiration but it's always good to be reminded that it is the right and fair thing to do. I have admired Ann Hermes patterns and her lovely little quilts made from antique fabrics. Your quilt is gorgeous! I do always enjoy my visits to your blog! Cheers, Rowena

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    1. Wendy Caton ReedFebruary 9, 2015 at 12:16 PM

      Thank you Rowena! It was my intention to come to the point without being harsh. There are so many great quilt designers out there that need and deserve our support. Thanks for being one of them!

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  2. KyleFebruary 9, 2015 at 1:13 PM

    What a great story. I love your interpretation of the original design. The colors are so bright and happy. Your quilt is a great reminder to give credit where credit is due.

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    1. Wendy Caton ReedFebruary 10, 2015 at 7:44 AM

      Thanks Kyle, I do think (hope anyway) that most quilters understand that it is the "right" thing to do. I named this "Pennsylvania Palette" for the bright Lancaster colors I chose. I think this might be my favorite quilt (of the over 300 I have made)

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  3. Carla A Few Of My Favorite ThingsFebruary 9, 2015 at 5:00 PM

    Oh I love your version and the quilting is fabulous!

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  4. Vic in NHFebruary 10, 2015 at 5:06 PM

    Your quilt appears entirely your own to me as a very refined piece, whereas the quilt you credit seems rather more primitive and naive. Both are lovely. How nice of you to share the source of your inspirational photograph from the auction's image.

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    1. Wendy Caton ReedFebruary 13, 2015 at 4:44 AM

      I still love the antique and I bought Dawn's pattern to support her and to hopefully make it as it was meant to be - someday! Thanks Vic.

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  5. BarbFebruary 14, 2015 at 4:26 AM

    wow! what a gorgeous quilt. Good reminder of giving credit!!

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    1. Wendy Caton ReedFebruary 14, 2015 at 3:05 PM

      Thanks Barb. It is an issue that we sometimes forget when we are making traditional quilts, but I guess if someone wanted to make a quilt of my design 100 years from now, I would smile knowing that they were giving me credit for inspiring them.

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  6. NancyFebruary 17, 2015 at 6:44 AM

    I love your version of this quilt. The colors you have chosen are so beautiful.

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