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By April M. Frazier
The Jubilee Quilt Circle quilters experienced an immersive two-day workshop June 26-27 at the Glassell School of Art with Guatemalan quilter Priscilla Bianchi. The intimate group learned the history of how Guatemalan fabrics are handmade and that each fabric is unique in design. Priscilla shared that quilting is not part of the country’s history, but through it, she’s found it to be a vehicle to creatively express the vibrancy of Guatemalan culture. Her techniques stretch the range and definition of quilting by not using a ruler and preferring curves over straight lines in her patterns. Most of the quilters in the circle are versed in the tradition of American quilting, primarily African American quilting history and style, so witnessing the approaches shared by Priscilla revealed new designs for them to explore.
With her fashion design background, Circle member Sakeenah Mubashshir was hesitant to embrace the methods presented but quickly caught on to Priscilla’s vision for quilt design. “She didn’t use a ruler! I was initially uncomfortable with the concept of not using a ruler to guide in cutting my fabrics but am now converted to thinking a bit more freely about not being so precise in my quilting.”
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