Quilts by Jane Pearlson - celebration of life events

Photo by Ewa Rumprecht

If necessity is the mother of all inventions, an important family event may uncover an artist in you. About 10 years ago Jane Pearlson's daughter was getting married. To celebrate this momentous occasion the closest family members and friends were asked to contribute a square each with either a poem, memory, kind wishes, etc. Jane incorporated the squares into a chuppah, a canopy hanging over a couple during a traditional Jewish wedding ceremony. And thus a quilter was born.

Jane was only partially prepared for this discovery. There were no quilters in her family - her mother knitted angora sweaters, grandmother crocheted. Jane had acquired basic sewing skills in home economics classes, made some clothes for her daughter and herself, tried her hand at needlepoint, macramé, stone sculpture. After completing her first chuppah she delved into quilt making with a passion - she took classes, workshops, attended shows, joined art and craft guilds.

Photo by Ewa Rumprecht

Her quilts are non-traditional, have eclectic themes frequently inspired by nature, most are intended for wall hanging. Jane likes making pieces which expand her technique, explore patterns and color combinations. She gravitates toward earthy or bright tones and likes to combine remote colors. She uses a sewing machine both for piecing and for quilting; banding and appliqué - flowers, leaves, beads, are sewn by hand. Her stitching is decorative, sometimes done with multicolor or metallic threads. Jane uses mostly cotton, batiks are her favorite, but will also use silk or upholstery fabrics for texture if a piece calls for it. She currently experiments with 3 dimensional objects that can be attached to a quilt. Painting on fabric is another area beckoning her interests.

She particularly enjoys making custom quilts which display family history or family tree, immortalize a lost loved one, commemorate an important event - birth, graduation, wedding. Jane may include photos printed on fabric, cherished pieces of clothing - baby clothes, ties, shirts, or other significant items provided for that purpose by the customers.



Jane Pearlson's website Quilts of Distinction provides additional information about the artist and more photos of her work.

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