About

Quilting for Jeanne Oberrieth started long before this. My mother is a seamstress and she inspired me to buy my first portable Singer 35 years ago. My son was my model - so I started sewing everything from children's clothing to curtains and simple bedspreads. Later during a Bernina class offered by my mother in law; she encouraged me to try different techniques. The first quilt was for her - a very large nine patch (reversible) bedspread in nine different fall colors, which she uses still with a lace overlay.

The quilt design came with Dad's Kaleidoscope (no. 1 on right). He was diagnosed with Alzeimers and this was my therapy. This is a watercolor with 2 1⁄2" square blocks. The design process began on a table - then grew to 2 tables , then expanded to 1 and then 2 design walls (4'x8'). I moved out all the furniture in the living room. I was hooked.

The art of this textile work (no. 2 on the right) comes from my son's art classes and the photography I have admired. Landscape and floral photography from my own collection has inspired textile applique pieces. After our trips to Hawaii the pictures in Hawaii produced a set of thirty 8x11 color photos that I sold for display in an office lobby. Inspiration comes in different forms.

For Olivia's birthday I designed the Yellow Brick Road (no. 3 on the right). It is a very large twin bed quilt with a pillow sham that has the Emerald Castle.

The first "Rose" was made for my friend Rosemary as a gift. Later my husband and I went to the "Rose Manor" B&B in Manheim PA. While we were there I showed the "Rose" to the owner; she was impressed. The "Rose of the Manor" was made for her in the pink/blue cottons shown, which matches the decor (nos. 4 on the right).

Several years ago, a new set of design ideas was created for every Christmas. One of those came from the Rose series. My first piece was done as a test in black and white. Later it was recreated several times in pink/blue, china blue, black/white tunnel and marine blues. It evolves as I sew. I have others in my Gallery. (No.5 on the right.)

The creativity has inspired so many different pieces. The joy is in the color of the fabric. Every year I find a new adventure into textile art.