Thursday, October 25, 2018

Past Perfect: Liz Porter



Oak Leaf by Liz Porter

This month's Past Perfect quiltmaker is Liz Porter, who has spent her career interpreting vintage quilt design for new fabrics and techniques.


Marianne Fons and Liz Porter, two mothers with young children, met in a quilting class in Iowa in the early 1980s. When the class was over, the students wanted to continue so Liz and Marianne volunteered to teach. In the manner of many of us, they stayed one step ahead of the students and were glad to have a teaching partner.


They published a successful book Classic Quilted Vests in 1982, started a magazine, bought the magazine, sold the magazine and branched out into other media.

Neapolitan detail

My favorite quilts of Liz's are the simple patterns, done in traditional color schemes.
I guess I am just old-fashioned and so is she.

Martha Washington Star

Certainly with books, television shows and magazine, Liz has inspired many quilters to look to the past.

Match A Patch Star

Wheel of Chance

She retired a few years ago and moved to Texas.

LeMoyne Star

Snowball

Liz has made retirement quite a success too. She says she plays golf and spends time with four grandchildren and still quilts (as a hobby.) She and Marianne are going to be honored in the Quilters' Hall of Fame next summer.

Emily's Wedding Quilt


Friendship Rings

Since it's her hobby I have no photos of Liz's recent work but I bet they look much like these traditional quilts.

10 comments:

  1. I love Liz Porter. Thanks for featuring her work, reminding me how much I love her antique inspired quilts. Thar Oakleaf Reel is my all time favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  2. agree 1000%....just started a triple irish chain that was featured in the magazine years ago....so traditional and colorful...love her quilts...she is a quilty treasure!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I've learned a lot from Liz and their magazine.

    ReplyDelete
  4. That Pine Burr quilt is one of my favorites. I still want to make one. Maybe now's the time.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have always loved their work and their show, I like to watch while I work on hand projects.

    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  6. Very nice ideas for projects! It's nice that you have everything planned. Beautiful all projects. I like this style. A great combination of colors. I like to observe such projects. I always find something inspiring.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm so happy Liz will be honored. I've always loved her quilts. I was fortunate to be in the audience at a couple of the live tapings of the PBS show. They were so friendly and down to earth.It's wonderful to hear that she is enjoying retirement and STILL quilting!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I've always loved Liz's quilts, and her down to earth and practical style of explaining the process when she taped the Love of Quilting shows with Marianne. I miss seeing her on those shows.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I never get tired of this beautiful Oak Leaf Quilt! Thank you for this post about Liz!
    Best wishes!

    ReplyDelete