Freedom Song

Entry Number: 172

Quilt Maker: Benjamin Evans

Quilted By: Quilted by Machine (Domestic or Longarm) that is Hand-Guided: Benjamin Evans

Techniques: Pieced, Appliqué by Machine

Design Source: Bird of Wisdom by Kim Caskey

Artist Statement

I began sewing as a small boy using an antique Singer machine to make little cushions for my Star Wars people. Largely self-taught, over the years I have endeavored to make a wide variety of fabric crafts and garments. I took my first quilting class in 2014. Although I favour making traditional quilts using precise patterns, I have pushed myself to try using more modern colours and techniques, including raw edge appliqué and improvisational curved piecing. Typically drawn to more masculine prints, any green or purple fabric, or one with moustaches on it, makes me exceedingly happy.

The pattern "Bird of Wisdom" by Kim Caskey was my first introduction to improvisational curved piecing. As a gay boy growing up in the 1970s, the children's entertainment project "Free to Be, You and Me" by Marlo Thomas and Friends literally saved my life, as it started me on the path of believing in my own self-worth and becoming comfortable with my identity. It was important to me to honour this project with a little quilt.

Jellybean Row

Entry Number: 170

Quilt Maker: Benjamin Evans

Quilted By: Quilted by Machine (Domestic or Longarm) that is Hand-Guided: Benjamin Evans

Techniques: Pieced, Appliqué by Machine, Thread Painted

Design Source: Jellybean Row by Corey J. Ralph of Sew Manly Quilting

Artist Statement

I began sewing as a small boy using an antique Singer machine to make little cushions for my Star Wars people. Largely self-taught, over the years I have endeavoured to make a wide variety of fabric crafts and garments. I took my first quilting class in 2014. Although I favour making traditional quilts using precise patterns, I have pushed myself to try using more modern colours and techniques, including raw edge appliqué and improvisational curved piecing. Typically drawn to more masculine prints, any green or purple fabric, or one with moustaches on it, makes me exceedingly happy.

This art quilt was made using the first pattern developed by my bestie, Corey J. Ralph, Sew Manly Quilting. The pattern honours the vibrantly coloured row houses in St. John's, Newfoundland, which are also reminiscent of (although much more colourful than) the row housing that my father lived in while growing up in a small village in Ireland. This quilt was a challenge, yet another good opportunity to practice raw-edge appliqué.

Kalypso Kalamity

Entry Number: 178

Quilt Maker: Benjamin Evans

Quilted By: Quilted by Machine (Domestic or Longarm) that is Hand-Guided: Benjamin Evans

Techniques: Pieced

Design Source: Kool Kaleidoscope by Ricky Tims

Artist Statement

I began sewing as a small boy using an antique Singer machine to make little cushions for my Star Wars people. Largely self-taught, over the years I have endeavored to make a wide variety of fabric crafts and garments. I took my first quilting class in 2014. Although I favour making traditional quilts using precise patterns, I have pushed myself to try using more modern colours and techniques, including raw edge appliqué and improvisational curved piecing. Typically drawn to more masculine prints, any green or purple fabric, or one with moustaches on it, makes me exceedingly happy.

The "Kool Kaleidoscope" book by Ricky Tims was my first introduction to this master's designs. The quilt was a real challenge for me, as I learned a new (and relatively complicated) technique and pushed myself to use colours that I would not have otherwise dreamed of using.