Quilting Through the Quarantine

I think it would be hyperbole to say that quilting saved my life, but surely it has saved my sanity (and possibly my relationships!) during the quarantine.

Finished quilt “U-Turn: Charcoal & Orange”

I learned to quilt at a time when my art was mostly works on paper, including printmaking, rust printing and artist books. During that time I began incorporating hand stitching into some of my works on paper, which led me to try printing on fabric, which eventually made me want to learn to quilt. I learned to quilt because I had a specific project idea in mind. At the time I had no idea just how much I would love it and that quilting would eventually become the centerpiece of my creative practice.

Me sewing on my beloved Juki sewing machine

While I have done some "traditional" quilting, I never follow a pattern. Not that there is anything wrong with using a pattern, it’s just that I am very bad at following directions and I really love to improvise. What I do tends to fall into the category of "modern quilting," meaning I employ improvisational design methods, I use mostly solid fabrics, and I embrace asymmetry and imperfection in my design.

"My background as a graphic designer also plays an important role in my love affair with quilting. My life-long obsession with typography and grids is evident in my original designs."

I often begin by creating sketches in Adobe Illustrator. My sketches are a starting point and help me find rhythm and balance in the composition as well as work out different color schemes. However, the final composition often varies quite a bit from the concept sketch.

Work in progress on my design wall

As for how quilting has saved my life during quarantine, here are a few thoughts. Quilting is challenging. It demands concentration and patience. I often refer to it as slow art. The way I create a quilt requires constant evaluation and problem-solving. Putting together a quilt is like designing and solving a puzzle all at the same time. It is also a little like playing chess because you always have to be mindful of how one decision (or seam) will impact future decisions. This concentration, although intense, is a much-needed respite from my pandemic related worries.

Me basting my “quilt sandwich” together before beginning the process of quilting

We’ve all heard people referring to a "silver lining" during quarantine. Mine is definitely all of the extra time I’ve had to work on my quilts. To be able to start and finish something in a week to 10 days has been a revelation for me. Generally, I work a couple of hours here and a couple of hours there and it can take me months to complete a project. Large blocks of time at home have been a gift.

"Quilting has been for me the perfect antidote to the stresses of the pandemic and the generally dismal state of affairs in America of late."

The process excites and challenges me, and most importantly grounds me in the moment. Although slow, the process of making something by hand is deeply satisfying for me. Even during a world-wide pandemic, I find that when my hands and mind are working together to create something unique and beautiful, I am at peace.

Lauri's Bio:

Lauri Jones is an Atlanta-based artist who creates art quilts, intricately stitched textile pieces, works on paper and artist books. A native of Allentown, PA, Lauri graduated from Rhode Island School of Design in 1990 with a degree in Graphic Design. She spent most of her design career creating TV network identities, promotional animations and main titles for both domestic and international clients. In 2009 she received a Master of Arts in Teaching from Savannah College of Art and Design and currently teaches art and design thinking at The Westminster School in Atlanta, GA. Although Lauri is no longer a practicing graphic designer, her love for grids, letterforms, and modern art are evident in her original quilt designs.

Follow Lauri on Instagram @laurijonesartist and check out her quilts for purchase at Sparkscreativity.com