'Metamorphosis' in fabric: Quilters sew up life patterns at LeMoyne exhibit

Karen Kunz joins a community of quilters to present patterns, appliques, and fine stitching at Quilters Unlimited return show, "Metamorphosis: Transformation" at LeMoyne Arts through Aug. 3.

Comforting Quilts

"Every time I pull a quilt down. I feel like you are hugging me," says Karen Kunz's granddaughter. What a gift - to keep your grandmother's hug in reach forever.

For quilter Karen Kunz, that is the true beauty of the art of quilting. A quilt "gives comfort. People know you care," says Kunz. The history of American quilting reflects that sentiment. Be it as a necessity for surviving the harsh winters experienced by early settlers or as a communal effort to provide warmth to soldiers overseas during World War II, quilting has what Kunz refers to as the “healing and caring aspect” that transforms the maker and the receiver.

Kunz, too, carries her grandmother with her in her sewing, as well as her best friend, who introduced her to quilting in the early 1980s. Each woman’s individual craftsmanship inspired her to find her own aesthetic and process in quilting. A quilt guild meeting set the spark in Kunz that led to a lifelong obsession with patterns and petals.

“I was addicted to it. I love the feeling of quilts. I like designing quilts,” Kunz said. “And I love flowers. All my quilts have flowers.” Since then, Kunz has explored the layering of applique quilting and the fascinating effects of flowering patterns. Her work is made to be given away.

Kunz will pray over it as she stitches and sews and eventually gives it over to its rightful owner with love and peace. “I’ll give it to them because they’ll cherish it and not make it a dog bed,” Kunz said.

The Steps of Stitching

As Kunz relishes retirement, she prepares to travel with her husband and plans to take her quilting anywhere she goes. “Train, plane, or car, I always have hand work, embroidery, or applique work that is going to be in a quilt [with me],” Kunz said. The mobility of the work should not deter from the delicacy needed to complete a quilt. Kunz points out that preparation is key.

To begin, she decides on a pattern. Fittingly, Kunz favors the grandmother’s flower garden pattern that uses 19 hexagons situated to form a flower in the shape of a larger hexagon. The next step is to find the fabric. Once she has done that, the process becomes personalized to her aesthetic preference.

Kunz explains how, at that point, she can continue in the classical hand-sewn fashion, use appliques that are glued down and then sewn, or tackle the tedious yet entrancing English paper piecing technique to create individual squares. The pieces are eventually sewn together to the finished top. Lastly, the quilt is finished by basting, stitching, and binding the backing of the quilt to the top. Label it, fold it, and tuck it away.

Quilting with community

For the past 19 years, Kunz has shared her love of quilting with family, friends, and fellow quilters like the local Tallahassee group, Quilters Unlimited, whose primary goal is to educate and share the art of quilt-making with the community.

Zunz said the group meets the second Thursday of every month. They have "programs, guest speakers to teach new ideas, and a show-and-tell which inspires you,” Kunz said. Throughout its existence, Kunz has served in leadership positions and has helped in any way she can, working four quilt shows and silent auctions. “I’ve helped in any way they need. It’s been fantastic,” says Kunz.

This year Quilters Unlimited returns after a three-year pandemic-induced break to present "Metamorphosis: Transformation." This show gathers 49 quilts and quilt makers at LeMoyne Arts, who are excited to share their beautiful hanging quilts with the public. Kunz invites all to enjoy the artistry displayed by each individual.

The collaborative exquisite efforts shown in the "Opportunity" quilt, sewn by 20 members with a floral pattern created by Becky Goldsmith, is also a sight. According to Kunz, these are not your grandmother’s quilts; the diversity of the quilts presented is sure to surprise and delight.

If you go

What: Metamorphosis: Transformation featuring Quilters Unlimited

When: July 11-Aug. 3, 2023

Where: LeMoyne Arts 125 N. Gadsden St.

Cost: Free for LeMoyne Arts members and children under 12; $5 for Non-Members

Contact: Powell Kreis powell@lemoyne.org; lemoyne.org

Dr. Christy Rodriguez de Conte is the feature writer for the Council on Culture & Arts. COCA is the capital area’s umbrella agency for arts and culture (tallahasseearts.org).

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Quilters design 'Metamorphosis' with fabric patterns