Last month, I went to see “The Quilts of Gee’s Bend” exhibition at the de Young Museum with my friend Betty Toole. To be honest, I found most of the quilts disappointing. The story is very compelling, even if most of the quilts are mediocre. I wish the quality of the collection wasn’t as hyped as it was, as it took away from the overall experience. (LHY)
There were a few beautiful quilts, however. My favorite was a red quilt in an “H” pattern by Nettie Young, and the story accompanying it is a wonderful commentary on the danger of patterns. (LHZ)
Young said: (LI1)
I always loved sewing. Didn’t need a pattern. If I sew a dress or a quilt or something I liked, I can make it. I just draw it out the way I want it. In the quilting bee time, I started using patterns, but I shouldn’t have did it. It broke the ideas I had in my head. I should have stayed with my own ideas. I kept making quilts all the way up to last year (1999). I still got the feeling now and then to sew, but I just don’t have the mind to do it now. My hands are good, but I don’t quite got the spirit. Not like before when I was always ready day and night. Age got me. (LI2)