From Cairo to Lancaster

Winter is hanging on and not letting go of its grip here in Lancaster, so it was wonderful to see the visual treat that was Quilt Week last week, with multiple quilt shows scattered throughout Lancaster County. I'm not a quilter but appreciate the workmanship and artistry, and especially this time of year, the vibrant colors and patterns.

At the Lancaster Spring Quilt Show: A Show in Amish Country, at the Host Resort:

Among the highlights for me was the lovely collection of signature quilts, some dating from the 1800's, exhibited by quilt curator Sue Reich.  These historic quilts feature names that are stitched or written onto quilts, representing farewells, welcomes, charitable endeavors, or sentiments of love.

Also at this particular show were joyful quilts based on the artwork of children.  Images can be seen on www.onceinarabbitmoon.com.

At the larger AQS Quilt Show downtown at the Convention Center, there were three floors of traditional quilts and art quilts.  My friends and I are always so inspired that we always leave the show determined to learn how to quilt.  Maybe this will be the year!

I was especially awe-struck this year by the TentMakers of Cairo.  Tent making is an ancient tradition in Egypt whereby large tents are constructed of heavy canvas, then lined on the inside with needle-turned, hand-appliqued, elaborate designs.  When the sun would shine over the tents, the inside gave off the effect of stained glass.  Today, the tent makers in Cairo (there is a street, Charah El Khiamiah, of about 40 shops of tent maker artists) are having to compete with machine-made and printed wall hangings.  Two of these artists, Hosam Hanofy and Tarek Abdelhay, were on hand last week at the AQS Quilt Show to demonstrate their technique, which they learned from their grandfathers and are now teaching to their young children.  More often than not, the panels are now used as wall hangings instead of tents.

To establish a pattern, a square piece of fabric is folded multiple times, then after drawing the design onto the folded paper, the tentmaker pokes holes through the paper with a needle.  The paper is unfolded, placed over the background cloth, and dusted with talc.  The dots are then connected and the design is the basis for the appliqué.  Pieces of colorful cloth are cut and applied, then needle stitched onto the background, creating a beautiful, ornate symmetric designs.  For more free-flowing designs, the tentmakers just improvise as they go.  It could take up to three or four months to complete a wall hanging, in spite of the amazing speed with which they sew.

Hopefully, teaming up with organizations such as AQS will help to revive interest in the tent makers' wall hangings and permit them to continue their rich cultural tradition while supporting their families.
Anyone interested in purchasing Tarek and/or Hosam's wall hangings can go to www.americanquilter.com/books.

Thank you to Bonnie Browning, AQS, for granting permission to publish my images from the show.