Today I am excited to introduce to you Jude Edling – BadAss quilter! and instead of me telling you about her I am going to use her own eloquent words help you get to know her better. –
THE QUILT ASPECT
I remember sitting in the shade of a framed quilt, the sunlight filtered through patchwork. Wait for the needle to pop through, and then push it back up to my Grandma’s hand to tie the center secure. I remember the quilts hung over the clothesline, held down with rocks. Our tent, where we’d fan ourselves with rhubarb leaves, small town Shebas and Cleopatras.
My Grandma, Ruby Anderson, made the crazy quilt I’ve used since high school. I know each fabric because they were my clothes I’d out grown, some from her polyester pants and old dresses. The embroidery stitches her to me. I am tied to my family. As much as I glory in and adore beautiful new fabrics, the colors, the feel of cotton and silk, I honor and deeply respect the quilting tradition of make do, make the beautiful out of the ordinary, the old, the worn and tired. The quilt is healer, tangible love and memory keeper in all its incarnations – t-quilt, well-loved blankie or heirloom masterpiece.
My Mom, Rayola Edling, taught me to sew and rip, a tremendous gift of patience and endurance. I’ve sewn entire wardrobes of clothes, costumes but have found the most creative release in quilting. The lessons on ripping I’m still learning. I’ve never needed the Amish humility stitch because mistakes are a part of every quilt I’ve made. Quilting is a very human art; the mistakes are integral to the process but incidental. I find the actual quilting more challenging because it seems to interfere with the quilt top. I began with hand stitch-in-the-ditch or echo quilting. It’s only the past few years that I’m more comfortable integrating the quilting with the top. There is always something to learn, relearn, figure out, exercise math skills, frustrate, delight and do.
Danny, my hearthound, my first greyhound opened a new arena for quilting. Greyhounds require coats in cold weather and I designed quilted greyhound coats. I’ve made raffle quilts for many greyhound adoption groups. This ancient, noble breed has raced into my heart. Since Danny’s passing, I adopted Mick then Mike. I also enjoy fostering greyhounds in preparation for adoption to forever homes. I volunteer for Greyhound Pets of America, the Minnesota chapter www.gpa-mn.org.
Quilting blends the solitary and the social, innovation and tradition. Each person has a well of creativity that must be released and refreshed for well being. Quilting does that for me in unique ways. I crave the solitary design and construction process yet I need the companionship and inspiration of other quilters. The Blue Earth Valley Quilters are wonderful people, full of ideas and only one rule, no food at the meetings. I love it. My quilting has developed amazingly since joining this group. Without them, my Mom would be the only person to see my quilts. I doubt if I would show quilts and I certainly wouldn’t have a quilt exhibiting in the upcoming International Quilt Association show in Houston, TX. Thanks!!! Now, if only I could find the time and wherewithal to bring all of the quilts in my brain out into the world.
— Thank you Jude.. getting to know you has been a real gift!
To see more of Jude’s amazing work you can pop over to the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative and she which of Jude’s Art quilts are still looking for a good home! There are not many left and the money goes to a VERY good cause!
