In Our Own Words. This collaborative project is a celebration of women; of the amazing individual qualities that make us who we are, as well as our strength when we com together as a community.
Photo credit: Kathy Hinkaty.
On International Women’s Day, I put out a call, asking women near and far to send me a hand-stitched word of empowerment that best describes them as a woman. The word was to be stitched in black on a white background, 3.5″ x 6.5″. The initial idea was to reference the friendship quilts or signature quilts made by quilters for their friends to mark special occasions.
Photo credit: Kathy Hinkaty.
In total, 196 words were collected from across the US and internationally. I received blocks from women in 31 states, and eight countries.
Photo credit: Kathy Hinkaty.
The words were then assembled into a quilt where each word was given equal significance. Each word was placed in its own circle, a nod to femininity and the cycles of nature; all of the fabrics used in the quilt are wovens, to represent our soft but unwavering strength; and the courthouse steps design, with the fire at the hearth center, is an homage to quilters past and present and collects all of the individual blocks into one, cohesive unit. Each block is 8″ finished, and there are 14 rows and 14 columns. The quilt finishes at a mighty 112″x112″. It was quilted by the amazingly talented Shelly Pagliai of Prairie Moon Quilts.
Photo credit: Kathy Hinkaty.
Below is the list of women that contributed a word(s). I am still adding names to the list where possible. Some of you sent words collected from other women without names, so as I learn more names I will add them here. If you see your name and it is incorrect, you would like to add a name, or you would like to remain anonymous, please just email me and I will honor any requests.
Names are listed below in alphabetical order by first name (where available).
Alexis Deise
Alice Pappas
Alyssa Talamo
Amy Slear
Andrea Tsang Jackson
Angela Covelli
Ashley Howe
Barbara Fisher
Barbara Hanaburgh
Barbara L. Wright
Barbara Ringel
Bri Winford
Candy Barnes
Carman Attie
Carol Wood
Cass Roberts
Cathleen
Charlotte Noll
Cindy Tonkin
Photo credit: Kathy Hinkaty.
Colette Moscrop
Colleen Breaux
Colleen Haggerty
Connie Griner
Danice Gentle
Darrel Rob
Debbie Grifka
Deborah Fisher
Denise Flowers
Devanie Fergus
Diana Vandeyar
Elaine Westmacott
Elizabeth Ray
Elizabeth Sovern
Emily Nudge
Fran Slear
Gayla Spurlock
Hayley Crawford
Heather Taylor
Helen Beall
Ingrid Duffy
Isabella Vitucci
Photo credit: Kathy Hinkaty.
Jackie Alvo
Jan Brown
Jane Stokes
Janet Coe
Janice Bailor
Jen Broemel
Jen Touart
Jennifer Baker
Jessica Picarillo
Jessica Skultety
Jill Stafford
Jill Slear
Joanne Simone
Julie Tchinnis
Karen Daum
Karen Daum (for her daughter)
Karen Duling
Karen Wooley
Karin Jordan
Kasey Daniel
Kate Godfrey
Kathleen Baden
Photo credit: Kathy Hinkaty.
Kathy Cook
Kathy Dunkle
Kathy Dunkle (for Amy Smith)
Kelly Fox
Kim Benes
Kim Soper
Kimberly Marcus
Kyona Nason
LaDonna Benes c/o Kim Benes
Laura Martin
Laura Smith
Linda Schroeder
Lora Riordan
Lorraine Lucas
Luz Reyes
Luz Reyes (for her daughter Camille)
Luz Reyes (for her niece Nena)
Luz Reyes (for her niece Sara)
Luz Reyes (for her niece Tania)
Luz Reyes (for her sister Claudia)
Luz Reyes (for her sister Miryam)
Margaret Cibulsky
Margaret Swan
Maria Gardner
Marianne Davitt
Marianne Davitt
Marie Martin
Marie Vaccaro
Marjorie Miller
Mary Wingate
Melanie Tuazon
Melissa Herboth
Micah Bremner
Michelle Cain
Photo credit: Kathy Hinkaty.
Mindy Ledbetter
Monique Disney
Nanette LaVerdeiere
Naomi Priester
Natalie Skinner
Neal + Kelly
Nicoletta Vallana
Pam Poling
Pam Poling (x25 for the strong women in her life)
Pasqualina Barazza
Pat Carroll
Rachael Heger
Rachel Boucher
Rose Harries
Roseanna Andrade
Photo credit: Kathy Hinkaty.
Roseanna Marzo
Ryland Luberecki
Sandra Markus
Sarah Goer
Sarah Hibbert
Sarah Jane Pepper
Sarah Ruiz
Schueson
Severine Tompsett
Shelly Pagliai
Silvia Sutters
Steph Skardal
Stephanie Zachary Ruyle
Photo credit: Kathy Hinkaty.
Tara Celeste
Teresa Philbin
Theresa Ieonetti
Theresa Weiser
Terry Dimino
Tiffany Horn
Tiffany Marshall
Tina Craig
Turner Renick
Valerie Graf
Valerie Luberecki
Victoria LoFaso
Victoria Marie
Wanda Dotson
Yvonne Fuchs
Photo credit: Kathy Hinkaty.
I cannot thank you all enough for sending me your words and your stories. And I cannot thank you enough for trusting me to make this quilt. I share this with you today, on what would have been my grandma’s 101st birthday. Just as we lift one another up with our empowering words, she lifted me up with her love. Her story is my story, her soul is my soul, and her heart is the meaning behind Leland Ave Studios.
Please share this post with anyone that you know that may have contributed a word to this project. I am so grateful to you all for your support and your abundant positive energy. Thank you!
Photos by the incredibly talented Kathy Hinkaty @hinkkd.
Photo credit: Kathy Hinkaty.
Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl
November 27, 2018 at 5:41 pmWhat a joy to search through so many words in search for my own and find all this kindred spirits and sisters. Thank you.
lelandavestudios@gmail.com
December 4, 2018 at 12:55 pmThank you Yvonne! I could definitely “feel” the presence of the community while working on this project.
Shelly Pagliai
November 27, 2018 at 7:25 pmThank you for allowing me to be a part of this project!
lelandavestudios@gmail.com
December 4, 2018 at 12:59 pmShelly, I can’t thank you enough for your contribution to this project. You brought such an incredible depth and texture! I’m so glad we were able to collaborate on it.
Lisa
November 28, 2018 at 7:28 pmIt’s just beautiful Kim.
lelandavestudios@gmail.com
December 4, 2018 at 1:01 pmThank you Lisa! I’m so thrilled to be able to represent so many of us strong women with this project.
Danice
December 3, 2018 at 3:41 amOh how awesome! The quilt is so beautiful and meaningful. Thank you so much for doing the project. The woven fabrics are perfect, along with the reason for using them. Shelly did a wonderful job with the quilting. It was fun to locate my word, resolute. Blessings to you.
lelandavestudios@gmail.com
December 4, 2018 at 1:05 pmThank you Danice! I really appreciate your kind words and feedback. I’m so thankful to the entire community that came together to participate and help be a part of this piece. And couldn’t agree more about about Shelly’s contribution! Her quilting is amazing.
2018 Blogger Bundles-Reader’s Choice & Giveaway | Needle and Foot
December 11, 2018 at 4:01 am[…] She is an amazing artist and her curated bundle did not disappoint! Kim just finished the In Our Own Words quilt which is truly spectacular. Please take a […]
Bernie
December 14, 2018 at 8:02 pmYou are so creative and very thoughtful. This project is really touching. I love reading all of the words chosen by the women who contributed. It is beautiful and what an amazing tribute to your grandmother.
lelandavestudios@gmail.com
December 21, 2018 at 1:31 pmYou’re too amazingly kind Bernie! I’m so glad it came out the way it did. I definitely felt the responsibility to honor everyone’s contribution who took the time and effort to participate int the project.