If you think quilting is just for women, check out Dave Dunkelberger’s two quilts in this year’s Quilt Competition. In fact, men did dominate quilting and fabric art for centuries in Africa and non-Western cultures, but it was not until the Civil War that men in the U.S. took up quilting as physical therapy for hand injuries. The tradition eventually caught on by the end of the 20th century as an artistic form of expression for men. In 2005, the Museum of the American Quilter’s Society created “Man-made Quilts,” a traveling exhibit of quilts created by men from all walks of life and backgrounds. Today you find men entering competitions and exhibits all over the country.
A self-taught quilter, Dave has been representing his gender quite nicely in the Peddler’s Village Quilt Competition for the past few years. This year, his entry spoofing a popular television series, “The Deadliest Catch,” tied for first place in the Creative category and his “Happy Chanukah Runner” placed third in the Applique category. “The Deadliest Catch” (pictured above) is the 13th quilt that Dave created since retiring from his career as a chemist at Rohm & Haas. Dave said he experimented with different hand-applique techniques in “The Deadliest Catch.” This quilt is a good example of how Dave combines his technical skill, artistic talent and a great sense of humor to create his amazing quilts. Click the video below for a closer look.
