Arts & Entertainment
Graphic-Designer-Turned-Quilter To Show Work Inspired By Vintage Japanese Fabrics
Don't miss this a chance to meet impassioned quilt artist Patricia Belyea and see her unique creations and fabrics from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., this Wednesday in an event presented by Quiters by the Bay
The excitement generated by this week’s meeting of Quilters by the Bay, might be more than the membership alone can contain.
That’s why UP’s own invites anyone interested to come to the in University Place between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., for a program called “Embracing the Creative Needle.”
This trunk show and presentation features Patricia Belyea, an emerging quilt artist of note who specializes in vintage Yukata cotton fabrics from Japan.
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“When fabric-lovers see the Yukata cotton, they get so excited,” Belyea says. “They have never seen anything quite like it.”
These lightweight cotton fabrics, comfortable in warm weather, have a long tradition in Japan, where they were originally made into kimonos meant to be worn after a bath. Over time, the Yukata — the name refers to both the garment and the fabric — gained widespread popularity. The traditional blue indigo dyes gave way to patterned designs in vivid colors. They are still all hand-dyed.
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Belyea, a resident of Seattle who calls herself “a true Japanophile,” travels to Japan and imports these fabrics herself. Her collection spans the 1960's through 1990's and includes nearly 300 bolts, 200 of which she will bring to the meeting.
That adds up to yards and yards of fabric available for sale through her business,
Okan Arts, and a lot of inspiration for American quilters, including the
fortunate members of Quilters by the Bay. All that fabric certainly inspired
this quilt designer who produces original art quilts informed by her 25 years of
experience in the graphic design industry.
Quilters by the Bay moved its meeting's start time up 30 minutes, beginning at 6 p.m. instead of the usual time of 6:30, to provide more time for members and guests to see these special fabrics. They will be for sale until 7 p.m., and again, after the presentation, which covers Inspiration, Artisan Quilts and Yukata Cottons.
When asked for a quote, Belyea expressed a passion so strong that it would be difficult to get her to not talk about it. She referred to the presentation’s title, “Embracing the Creative Needle,” when she said, “I'm not sure if I'm embracing the creative needle or if it's pricked me and I'm under its spell.”
Come experience the magic of Belyea’s contagious energy and artistic inspiration. The Environmental Services Building is located at 9850 64th St. W., at Chambers Creek Properties.