Nope, I’m not talking about a state of mind. I’m talking about one of the United States of America. And no, it’s not Kentucky, even though the AQS show in Paducah turns the quilting demographic on its ear for one week out of the year.
I’m talking about a state where all year ’round, fabric hunters and gatherers treat their quiltmaking as a way of life. I’m talking about Alaska.
I’m pointing out details of Seasons at Denali, by Ree Nancarrow; scroll down to see the whole tour de force.
I was invited by two guilds in the Anchorage vicinity to present trunk shows, fashion shows, and workshops. The husband joined me after my week of teaching trip, and we traveled to Denali and Seward. Seemingly everywhere I went beautiful quilts hung on display. I admired how they occupied walls above or alongside a window, so the endless sun of summer solstice could not wreak havoc with the fabric dyes.
The charmingly rustic Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge featured them high accompanied with other trophy items:
I saw quilts in restaurants: most noteworthy, the Snow Goose in Anchorage. Owner Jane Klopfer customized her wall hangings not only to the waterside site with its wonderful view of Sleeping Lady Mountain and the Cook Inlet, but also to each space, including a piece in the shape of a carpenter’s square–an “L” shape to fit around the restaurant store.
It’s hard to choose a favorite among Jane’s many wonderful chef d’oeuvres, so instead I simply tried to choose a favorite among the local brews. Hmmm, better try one more, with a side order of pita chips and hummus!
I found quilts hanging in bakeries, book stores, and government buildings. Little quilts were sold at the SeaLife Center in Seward, as well as in half the gift shops I browsed through.
And every other quilter told me not to miss the four-paneled masterpiece at the Eielsen Visitor’s Center at Denali National Park and Preserve, and holy mackerel, were they right. The exquisite work by Ree Nancarrow depicts the awe-inspiring crescendo of life from the sub-zero, nearly dead of winter to the thundering herds and horticultural richness of the warmer months. An eloquent guru named Kevin who guided us through the park on a school bus (I heartily recommend the Kantishna Wilderness Trails road trip) challenged all his passengers to find the mosquitoes in the quilting. They’re there!
Seasons of Denali, by Ree Nancarrow
The crown jewel of this quilt and of the park is Denali, the highest mountain in North America; it’s alternatively known as Mount McKinley. Located in Alaska’s interior, it does seem to get the climate extremes.
Of course, no matter where you are in Alaska, it’s frigid and snow-blanketed much of the year. Any sane person given half a chance would wanna stay indoors and make quilts. When the weather warms up, many folks–women as well as men, go hook, line, and sinker after salmon, halibut, and cod. But if you’re like me, the only fishing you do is for compliments. In which case you’re apt to be a fabric-lover of a landlubber, sailing home from the quilt shop with precious booty, launching your latest project from the deck of your cutting mat, and steering it along with your sewing machine close at starboard. Though come to think of it, I did meet at least a couple of quilters whose fishing boats are outfitted with a featherweight.
Anyhoo, it’s no fish tale: there are a LOT of savvy quilters in Alaska, and they’re kept happy by a goodly number of very good quilt shops. Each of them had a slightly different flavor, fabric inventory, and quilt samples for upcoming classes to lure in customers. I got to visit:
Dina’s Cozy Cabin Quilts in Eagle River
Sylvia’s Quilt Depot in Wasilla
Just Sew in Palmer
The Quilt Tree and The Quilted Raven in Anchorage
(Geri and Maryellen–Did I miss any?)
Getting to see some gorgeous scenery was certainly a high point of my trip to Alaska. But even that was topped by the experience of getting to know some fabulous women. Whether at the top of their quilting game or not, all of them had hearts as big as the 49th state.
Participants at my workshops each took a leap of faith, went on a wild and crazy adventure with me, and created highly individualized, striking work, reflective of their singular personalities. I’ll soon be putting up pictures of the work they did on my workshop pages. Just scroll down past the description and supply list to view these creative geniuses in process.
Check back here at these links later this fall to see if they’ve sent me pics of the finished projects! Maybe by that time, I’ll be ready to post my own quilty reflections of Alaska in cloth. Sounds all soppy and cliche, but it really was the trip of a lifetime, and I’ve got enough visual memories and digital images from this trip to inspire quilts for the rest of my life.
Do you have a summer adventure planned to inspire your quiltmaking?
Just plain Wow!
Always wanted to go to Alaska. This really makes me want to put it on my bucket list. Can’t wait to see the finished quilts.
I went to SE Alaska in May. The beauty was truly overwhelming! We did an adventure cruise, and were in the Tsongas national park so we didn’t see any quilts. Did go to a nice shop in Juneau – I forget the name but it was lovely and I bought some fabric to remind me of Alaska later. Thanks for showing us quilts that were made by Alaskan quilt makers. Sounds like you had a great adventure too!