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Elaine
VanDusen Quilts by Elaine Quilts & Hardanger Embroidery |
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| The idea for a quilt shop began
when I took my first quilting class and discovered the joy and creativeness
of working in fabric. Years later, after retiring in 1990, I converted 4
rooms of my historic home into a studio/workshop and opened Quilts by
Elaine; a business that offered quality traditional quilting and first rate
customer service. Quilts by Elaine quickly expanded from traditional quilt designs to include one-of-a-kind memory quilts using the clothing of a loved one, as well as contemporary photo quilts using favorite family photos. While I was busy designing in fabric my daughter Terry was working in intricate needlework known as Hardanger Embroidery. Using the knowledge and experience we both gained from years of working in our complementary art forms, it wasn't long before we started to combine the two to create new and innovative quilts for home and office. As I worked with traditional designs I began to research their history. Through lectures and teaching I am able to share with others the vast colorful heritage associated with quilts. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to share that history with a wide audience when I was selected as a guest artist on the Discovery Channel's Lynette Jennings Show. Adding to the long and colorful history of quilting, I recently joined quilters from across the United States making "Wartime Quilts of Valor". These quilts are presented to wounded soldiers when they arrive at military hospitals throughout the country. Through the years, Americans have come to use patchwork quilts as a metaphor for their collective national history. I enjoy getting to know the people and their families while designing their special heirloom quilt. Retirement has proven to be very exciting and rewarding time in my life! |
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