Victory Girls: Patriotic Quilts and Rugs of WWII
Polly Minick began hooking rugs in the 70's - by hook or crook she was determined to accomplish this feat. Being an avid antique collector, she wanted a couple rugs to go with her collections. The rugs she saw at antique shows were not always in great condition, so she decided to make her own. She felt no need for lessons or that this would be a serious undertaking - she just wanted to make the rugs and be done with it. What she found along the way was that making those two rugs look like what she envisioned was going to take a little longer than she anticipated. She also found that she was "hooked" on rug hooking.Since she started making rugs, Polly has garnered praise in articles in:Better Homes and Gardens,Country Home,Coastal Living,Architectural Digest,Colonial Homes,Early American Life,Victoria,Creative Home,American Patchwork and Quilting,Romantic Homes, andElle DecorThe New York Times,Houston Chronicle,George Towner,The Islander,Naples Daily News, andAnn Arbor Newshave also written of her accomplishments.Polly is a primitive rug hooker and like many other primitive rug hookers, she draws inspiration from what is around her. She is inspired by family, home, country and nature. Her imagery includes stars, flags, hearts and houses. Her patriotic works were inspired when their youngest son Jim received a commission in the United States Marine Corps; he is currently serving our country as a Colonel and recently returned from his second tour in Iraq. Jim's service has also inspired Polly to work diligently for the Semper Fi Injured Marine Fund which she says is "a labor of love."The ambiguity of Polly's motifs and patterns is understandable given her aim to stick to her goal of making her rugs primitive and naive. She describes many of her drawings as "childlike," placing strong emphasis on her respect and appreciation for early-American creations.Polly's enthusiasm for the art has led to national acclaim as a creator of primitive-style rugs and a highly touted guest lecturer. She enjoys traveling the country and meeting with others who also love fiber art. She is proud of the increased interest in this fiber art over the years, and she feels a responsibility for its continued growth.A lifelong needle artist, Laurie Simpson's quilts grace galleries and private collections. Her work has been featured inCountry Home,Coastal Living,Architectural Digest,American Patchwork & Quilting,McCall's Quilting,Quilt Sampler Magazine,Quiltmania, andAnn Arbor News.A patchwork quilt magazine inspired Laurie to take up quilting at the age of 14. Drawn to traditional themes and techniques, she prefers to piece, applique, and quilt by hand. "Handwork is calming and meditative. It's the way I was meant to work," says Laurie.She joyfully spends her time quilting, creating, teaching, writing, and designing fabric for Moda Fabrics with her sister and design partner, Polly Minick.