Interview with Gabrielle Swain, April 5, 2003

Partial Transcript: This is Amy Henderson.

Segment Synopsis: Gabrielle Swain is introduced. She talks about her quilt, "Maple Breaks," which is part of a series. She talks about its appearance and the techniques she used to create this quilt. She talks about the special meaning of the quilt and her focus on nature.

Keywords: "Maple Breaks"; Cutting; Environment; Galleries; Gallery; Grids; Hand applique; Maple leaves; Nature; Panels; Series; Special meanings; Spiritual; Techniques; Wall hangings

Subjects: Artists; Arts and crafts.; Decorative arts; Quilting.; Quilts--Design.; Quilts.; Textile artists; Textiles

Partial Transcript: And have the color themes changed from quilt to quilt?

Segment Synopsis: Swain discusses the color themes in her work and her recent focus on autumn colors.

Keywords: Autumn; Color palette; Color themes; Colors; Dyes; Fall; Seasons; Themes

Subjects: Artists; Arts and crafts.; Decorative arts; Quilting.; Quilts--Design.; Quilts.; Textile artists; Textiles

Partial Transcript: And tell me about the quilting in this particular piece.

Segment Synopsis: Swain talks about her love of hand quilting and hand drawn lines. She talks about the motion she tried to portray in "Maple Breaks." She talks about her plans for the quilt.

Keywords: "Maple Breaks"; Cartoons; Disengaged; Drawings; Gaze; Grids; Hand drawn lines; Hand quilting; Mental states; Motion; Movement; Plans; Selling; Showing; Teaching; Teaching quiltmaking; Time; Zen

Subjects: Artists; Arts and crafts.; Decorative arts; Quilting.; Quilts--Design.; Quilts.; Textile artists; Textiles

Partial Transcript: Tell me about your interest in quilting.

Segment Synopsis: Swain talks about her career in regional theater and how when she quit she needed a creative outlet. Her mother-in-law introduced her to quilting, which led to her passion and career in the quilting realm. She talks about her brief education in sewing during her childhood. She discusses the connections between theater and quilting. She describes her first memory of a quilt, a Depression-era quilt given to her aunt as payment for medical services.

Keywords: 1983; 1997; Apprenticeships; Arts; Blocking; Books; Childhood; Composition; Connections; Creativity; Daughter-in-law; Daughters-in-law; Doctors; Exchange; Family; First quilt memory; Gifts; Great Depression; Great aunts; Handwork; Home economics; Memories; Mother-in-law; Mothers; Mothers-in-law; Passion; Payment; Plays; Quilt tops; Regional theater; Sewing; Sewing machines; Teaching; Team creativity; Teenagers

Subjects: Artists; Arts and crafts.; Decorative arts; Quilting.; Quilts--Design.; Quilts.; Textile artists; Textiles

Partial Transcript: Have you ever used quilting to help you get through a difficult time in your life?

Segment Synopsis: Swain describes using quilting to survive through difficult times, including the loss of her mother and the possible deployment of her son in the army.

Keywords: Anxiety; Anxious; Army; Death; Deployment; Germany; Gifts; Illnesses; Loss; Memories; Mental states; Military; Mothers; Quilts as gifts; Restful; Selling; Sons; Turkey

Subjects: Artists; Arts and crafts.; Decorative arts; Quilting.; Quilts--Design.; Quilts.; Textile artists; Textiles

Partial Transcript: What aspects of quilting do you enjoy?

Segment Synopsis: Swain talks about why creating labels and sleeves for her quilts are her least favorite parts of quilting.

Keywords: Binding; Engagement; Finished; Labels; Least favorite; Private; Process; Product; Quiltmaking process; Signing; Sleeves

Subjects: Artists; Arts and crafts.; Decorative arts; Quilting.; Quilts--Design.; Quilts.; Textile artists; Textiles

Partial Transcript: In this quilt, what was the process you were working through?

Segment Synopsis: Swain talks more about the process of creating "Maple Breaks."

Keywords: "Maple Breaks"; Abstract; Different; Exploring; Grid work; Grids; Image; Process; Quiltmaking process

Subjects: Artists; Arts and crafts.; Decorative arts; Quilting.; Quilts--Design.; Quilts.; Textile artists; Textiles

Partial Transcript: What do you think makes a great quilt?

Segment Synopsis: Swain discusses what she thinks are the qualities of a great quilt. She talks about the importance of good craftsmanship. She talks about what makes a great quilter and the many variances among quilters.

Keywords: Admire; Colors; Craftsmanship; Curators; Designs; Differences; Evocative; Great quilters; Great quilts; Growth; Museum collections; Purpose; Techniques; Well-made

Subjects: Artists; Arts and crafts.; Decorative arts; Quilting.; Quilts--Design.; Quilts.; Textile artists; Textiles

Partial Transcript: How has your work changed since 1983 with that first quilt?

Segment Synopsis: Swain talks about how her own quilting skills and techniques have changed since she first began in 1983.

Keywords: 1983; 1985; Appliqué; Castle Wall (quilt pattern); Changes; Cloth World; Color classes; Drawing; Fabrics; Imagery; Images; Michael James; Piecing; Sewing; Skills; Techniques

Subjects: Artists; Arts and crafts.; Decorative arts; Quilting.; Quilts--Design.; Quilts.; Textile artists; Textiles

Partial Transcript: Tell me a little bit more about piecing versus appliqué.

Segment Synopsis: Swain talks about the differences between piecing and appliqué, and why she personally prefers appliqué.

Keywords: Appliqué; Fluid; Geometric; Hand applique; Hand piecing; Linear; Lines; Mathematical; Painterly; Painting; Piecing; Portable; Skills; Techniques; Thread painting

Subjects: Artists; Arts and crafts.; Decorative arts; Quilting.; Quilts--Design.; Quilts.; Textile artists; Textiles

Partial Transcript: Why is quilting important to your life?

Segment Synopsis: Swain talks about why quilting is personally important to her.

Keywords: Fabrics; Fascination; Important; Messages; Quilt purpose - Artistic expression

Subjects: Artists; Arts and crafts.; Decorative arts; Quilting.; Quilts--Design.; Quilts.; Textile artists; Textiles

Partial Transcript: How many hours a week would you say you quilt?

Segment Synopsis: Swain talks about how many hours she quilts each day and her process of creating quilts.

Keywords: Hours; Process; Projects; Quiltmaking process; Schedules; Stages; Studios

Subjects: Artists; Arts and crafts.; Decorative arts; Quilting.; Quilts--Design.; Quilts.; Textile artists; Textiles

Partial Transcript: Tell me more about your teaching and your writing.

Segment Synopsis: Swain talks about the book she wrote in 1994, which led to her teaching classes around the country.

Keywords: "Applique in Bloom"; "From a Quilter's Garden: A Fresh Crop of Appliqué Designs"; 1994; Applique in Bloom (Book); Appliqué; Books; Classes; Fabric/Quilt shops; From a Quilter's Garden: A Fresh Crop of Appliqué Designs (Book); Teaching quiltmaking; Teaching requests; Writing

Subjects: Artists; Arts and crafts.; Decorative arts; Quilting.; Quilts--Design.; Quilts.; Textile artists; Textiles

Partial Transcript: In what ways do your quilts reflect your community or region?

Segment Synopsis: Swain talks about her use of various aspects of nature from her home region of Texas in her quilts.

Keywords: Johnson grass; Nature; Post oak leaves; Regional; Southwest; Texas

Subjects: Artists; Arts and crafts.; Decorative arts; Quilting.; Quilts--Design.; Quilts.; Textile artists; Textiles

Partial Transcript: How does quilting impact your family?

Segment Synopsis: Swain talks about how her quilting has affected her family, including her sons' recognition of her status as a "rock star" in the quilting world.

Keywords: Appreciation; Artistic expression; Attitudes; Children; Effects; Family; Fans; Impact; Recognition; Sons; Studios; Supportive; Websites

Subjects: Artists; Arts and crafts.; Decorative arts; Families.; Quilting.; Quilts--Design.; Quilts.; Textile artists; Textiles

Partial Transcript: What do you think about the importance of quilts in American life?

Segment Synopsis: Swain talks about the importance of quilting as an American craft. She talks about its role in women's history, as a way for women to express themselves and their creativity.

Keywords: American life; Artistry; Creativity; Domestic work; Gender in quiltmaking; Gender roles; Grief process; Interest; International; Leaders; Mourning/Grief; Patchwork quilts; Popularity; Revival; Women; Women's history

Subjects: Artists; Arts and crafts.; Decorative arts; Quilting.; Quilts--Design.; Quilts.; Textile artists; Textiles

Partial Transcript: What has happened to the quilts that you've made for, um, for friends or family?

Segment Synopsis: Swain talks about what has happened to the quilts she has gifted to friends and family. She gives her advice for those who would like to begin quilting but feel like they are not talented or creative enough. The interview is concluded.

Keywords: Advice; Classes; College degrees; Family; Friends; Knowledge; Learning; Learning quiltmaking; Master of Fine Arts (MFA); Quiltmaking classes; Quiltmaking for family; Quilts as gifts; Selling; Selling quilts; Techniques; Trying; Visual art

Subjects: Artists; Arts and crafts.; Decorative arts; Quilting.; Quilts--Design.; Quilts.; Textile artists; Textiles