Entry Number: 172
Quilt Maker: Benjamin Evans
Quilted By: Quilted by Machine (Domestic or Longarm) that is Hand-Guided: Benjamin Evans
Techniques: Pieced, Appliqué by Machine
Design Source: Bird of Wisdom by Kim Caskey
Artist Statement
I began sewing as a small boy using an antique Singer machine to make little cushions for my Star Wars people. Largely self-taught, over the years I have endeavored to make a wide variety of fabric crafts and garments. I took my first quilting class in 2014. Although I favour making traditional quilts using precise patterns, I have pushed myself to try using more modern colours and techniques, including raw edge appliqué and improvisational curved piecing. Typically drawn to more masculine prints, any green or purple fabric, or one with moustaches on it, makes me exceedingly happy.
The pattern "Bird of Wisdom" by Kim Caskey was my first introduction to improvisational curved piecing. As a gay boy growing up in the 1970s, the children's entertainment project "Free to Be, You and Me" by Marlo Thomas and Friends literally saved my life, as it started me on the path of believing in my own self-worth and becoming comfortable with my identity. It was important to me to honour this project with a little quilt.