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Sunday, May 06, 2012

iPhone-o-Gram! A little bit Hmong Over!

There is a vendor at the show who is displaying the most amazing Hmong appliqué, and I've gone back both days not only to oohh and ahhh over the beauty of such intricate work, but to watch them pick up a needle and actually demo how it's done.

Such precision.

Such small stitches!

Such patience!

I watched for quite a while as they explained that the fabric is folded into 1/4s and cut with scissors through all layers and everything is reverse appliquéd.

I bought this turtle pincushion as a reminder.

Isn't he great??

I can't get over how fine the detail is. I'm all Hmong Over!!

21 comments:

  1. Oh... my.... goodness....

    I'm glad you got the turtle pincushion as a memento!

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  2. I've admired Hmong applique since I first "met" some in the 1980s, and I've been gifted with two small pieces.
    I absolutely adore that little turtle! How very sweet.

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  3. I absolutely love it, too. Have a square that will be the center of some quilt.

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  4. I just bought two Hmong badge holders while I was in Paducah. The colors and the intricate work are lovely.

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  5. Beautiful work! I adore the little turtle pincushion & am glad she has such a happy new home.

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  6. I bought that turtle's brother in Paducah last week. I love Hmong applique and wish I had the patience to try it myself.

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  7. Anonymous3:49 PM EDT

    Reminds me of the work by Cuna indians-those delicious molas .Only difference I think is the many colors being used and the pattern designs,due to culture.Nevertheless-beautiful and handmade-awesome !

    Marga

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  8. Pam Plasch4:11 PM EDT

    I have a Hmong purse and a wall hanging that they did this on, along with many, many other designs. We have a very large Hmong population in Minnesota and Wisconsin and I always go out of my way to find them at craft sales. I can not believe the amount of work and the workmanship that go into their items. I buy them because I am so afraid it is going to become a thing of the past. One of the ladies I was talking with told me that their daughters will not learn how to do this as they don't want to, so again it will become a lost art.

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  9. Oooh, if I'd seen the turtle pincushion yesterday, you might not have it today. I love turtles!

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  10. I bought one of those turtles at the show last year. Mine is purple (my favorite color)!! They do amazing work. I love this quilt show. It's one of my favorites! I have been going for many years. I'm sorry that I missed your lecture yesterday.

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  11. I bought one of those turtles at the show last year. Mine is purple (my favorite color)!! They do amazing work. I love this quilt show. It's one of my favorites! I have been going for many years. I'm sorry that I missed your lecture yesterday.

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  12. When I lived in Oshkosh a Hmong community attended our church and the local furniture store displayed the Hmong quilts on the beds in their furniture store. Their work is just wonderful and tiny, just amazing.

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  13. It's so beautiful. I remember the "molas" because is similar to reversed appliqué and "mola" using several layers of fabric, a fabric over each other.Very cute design. I figure with curves is more difficult to implement.

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  14. A few months ago I bought a couple things on line and this lady had 2 pcs of Hmong embroidery, I didn't even know what it was but she wanted $10 for it and it was suitable for framing....so I told her I would take everything she had for sale....so I won....I sent her about $18 and she sent me what I ordered plus these 2 pcs of Hmong embrodiery....they are absolutely amazing! I love them. I can't imagine doing all that work for $10. They were about 14" square. EACH!

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  15. These are really awesome. Would like to find some in Iowa!

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  16. I have a little Hmong turtle pin cushion (actually needle cushion) and a bird cushion too. The turtle has a cross stitch insert in its back. I think I bought them in Los Gatos, CA. They were a splurge but they sit by my machine every day and get lots of use. I'm glad I splurged. I've often looked at them and marveled over the tiny stitches, the unbelievable tight stuffing, and the overall excellent workmanship. I know I will enjoy them for many more years.

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  17. Anonymous2:51 AM EDT

    What a beautiful work! Reverse appliqué has always appealed to me, both Kuna Indians and Hmong make amazing works. There is a remote similarity with celtic designs!
    Katell, France

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  18. That looks awesome Bonnie! What a fun souvenir.

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  19. Weren't those Hmong pieces wonderful! I bought one of the purses with the applique patch on the front. Just stunning and a practical and well made purse to boot. It's my new daily carry bag.

    I did not know they demo'd the work---so sorry I missed that!

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  20. Do you remember the name of the vendor? I would love to see more of their work? quiltlvr2001@gmail.com Thanks! Penny

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  21. When I lived in Oshkosh Wi in the 80's there was a Hmong community that made these appliqued quilts that were to dye for. The local furniture store allowed them to use their display beds to show their wares. I sure wish I had bought one back then. Such wonderful wonderful work!

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