Project Runway

Are you as excited as I am for the new season of Project Runway? It begins tonight!

What I like about this show is that it is honoring sewing and creativity. As quilters, we do this automatically when we tell others about the joys and challenges of quilting, when we exhibit our quilts or give one as a gift. Unless we are a Katie Pasquini-Masopust, or Caryl Bryer Fallert, or Cindy Vermillion Hamilton, we do this in our personal world, our guild, and at our quilt shows. Project Runway, on the other hand, speaks to a national audience and it was the highest rated show ever on Bravo, during last season's series.

Watching the designers work within limitations of time, materials, and colors or themes , I am reminded of quilt challenges. Some of the designers prefer to draw out their idea on paper first, while others prefer to work more spontaneously. Some of them prefer to stay within a certain "look", while others prefer to try new things and challenge themselves to push their own limits. Still sounds like quilters to me. Some designers show Tim what they are made of when they take his opinion into no account whatsoever, while others value Tim's opinion and make the most out of his opinion near the end of their design time.

This season, four of the designers are from Los Angeles: Sweet P, Simone LeBlanc, Kit Pistol, and Rami Kashou, and their ages range from 26 to 46. They all have training and come with a background in designing clothing -- some professionally; others hoping this will be their stepping stone. Simone has caught my eye, as she states that her signature style includes "historical details such as 1920s drop waists or over sized collars, 'there's a timelessness about them and an undercurrent of romanticism, but they're never frilly.' " (LA TIMES, Nov. 11, 2007, P9)

Tim Gunn is so much fun to watch in action. He is like the quilt teacher you both loved and feared and will always remember as the one who brought about a turning point in your creative life. See Tim at a book signing and read a review of his book on style: Tim Gunn, A Guide to Taste, Quality, and Style

For more about Cindy V. Hamilton's quilt making book: "Medallion Quilts, Inspiration and Patterns" Cindy's quilt is also featured on the last page of this month's Quilter's Newsletter magazine.

Katie and Caryl were on the Quilt Channel blog: blog: April 1, 2007

Katie's quilt was featured on PBS' Century of Quilts