Quilting an Heirloom

A quilt is more than just two layers of fabric with batting in the middle. For quilter Nadine Ruggles, it is a vehicle for artistic expression, as well as a creative journey. Her latest quilt, features symbolic quilt motifs that express wishes for happiness and hope for a cure for Lou Gehrig's Disease.

GERLINGEN, Germany (PRWEB) June 21, 2006 -- A quilt is more than just two layers of fabric with batting in the middle. To Nadine Ruggles, a quilt is a vehicle for artistic expression, as well as a creative journey. Her latest quilt, Stars In My Hand, is also an expression of love. A traditional Broken Star pattern, Stars In My Hand is an anniversary quilt for her aunt and uncle, Ron and Lenore Kaye of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The quilt was named as a reference to an anonymous quote: “If I could reach up and touch a star for every time you’ve made me smile, the entire evening sky would be in the palm of my hand.” The background areas outside the star are quilted with crystal urns and feather plumes, and the quilt is monogrammed with the couples’ initials and the wedding date. Wishes for the couple’s continued happiness are symbolized by the twelve quilted motifs around the outside edge of the quilt, and it is embellished with over 1,500 Swarovski crystal “stars” on the surface. “I wanted to create an heirloom to celebrate their long and happy marriage and bless their future,” said Ruggles.

In June, 2006 Stars In My Hand was exhibited at the 37th Annual National Quilting Association Quilt Show in Columbus, Ohio, where it was awarded 2nd Place in the Pieced Bed Quilts category. The quilt will travel to other quilt show venues across the United States until May, 2007 when it will be presented to Mr. and Mrs. Kaye.

Ruggles has created a special line of giftware and paper goods related to Stars In My Hand, called Quilted Whispers. Pictures of the symbolic motifs from the quilt adorn ceramic ornaments, framed quilt art tiles, treasure boxes and greeting cards. Net proceeds from the sale of these products are donated to the New Mexico Chapter of the ALS Association to assist in finding a cure for Lou Gehrig’s disease. For more information about the Quilted Whispers product line, visit The Quilt Shop at DreamWeaver's Quilts, at www.shop.dreamweavers-quilts.com.

Ruggles learned to sew as a child and began quilting in 1990. Her quilts have been displayed at quilt shows across the United States, and her work has been published in quilt books by the American Quilter’s Society. Ruggles is a full time artist and teaches quilting classes and workshops in Germany. She is the daughter of Pine Valley, Utah residents Layne and Vicki Frei, and currently lives in Gerlingen, Germany with her husband and two daughters. Ruggles can be contacted through her website, DreamWeaver's Quilts, at www.dreamweavers-quilts.com.

Photos available on request.

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