Applique artistry: Pine Creek fabric art-design business marks10 years - VS Sewing Machines
As a child, Kathy
Gaul loved the idea of designing and producing her own craftworks, each stitch
an expression of her creativity. Best Usha Janome Memory Craft 450E in Chennai
Today, as owner and
operator of a Colorado Springs-based crafts business, Gaul shares her passion
for the medium by offering unique dimensional wool appliqué art patterns to
crafts-lovers. Through Meetinghouse Hill Designs LLC, Gaul provides kits with
patterns, fabrics and threads, and produces punch-needle patterns, rug-hooking
canvases and a sewing accessories line.
Meetinghouse Hill
Designs’ wool appliqué art patterns focus on the same types of fabrics and
techniques used in 1800s penny rugs. This is the use of felted wool fabrics and
embroidery stitches such as blanket and backstitch and French knots.
Gaul singlehandedly
creates the design, writes instructions, and publishes and markets her patterns
line. Her husband, Jerry, manages the business and graphic-design tasks.
Through her
efforts, Gaul seeks to evoke an appreciation and love for manipulating wool and
using hand-dyed threads. She also wants her artwork and patterns to stand out.
“I want people to
create something with these designs and experience the joy creativity brings,”
she said.
The Leominster,
Mass., born-and-raised Gaul talked about how her aunt, Yvonne Auger, taught her
to sew her first doll and encouraged her to pursue her love of crafts and
sewing. “She greatly influenced my love of textiles,” Gaul said.
After earning a
Bachelor of Science degree in textiles and clothing from California Polytechnic
State University, Pomona, Calif. in 1991, Gaul spent 10 years restoring antique
quilts — a skill that continues to pay dividends. She launched her at-home
business in April 2009.
Several of Gaul’s
designs reflect a New England flavor because of the people, places and
experiences she recalls when seeking inspiration for a new design.
Her many framed
designs scattered throughout her home reflect an early American décor that, for
some, evokes memories of autumn and of the scent of homemade apple pie wafting
in the air.
“We’re trying to
elevate the craft to an art form which is why we frame Kathy’s work,” Jerry
said.
Gaul also draws
inspiration from pieces created by other artists, she said. “We try to collect
old pieces because I appreciate the inspiration and creativity behind them,”
she said of a cabinet painted with a country scene.
Gaul’s designs
include two beak-to-beak cardinals, a lamb bearing the inscription “Pining for
Ewe,” and a wool pinecone sporting six glitter snow-dusted evergreen branches
taking up residence atop a painted candle stand. With its 5-star bald eagle,
the patriotic “Celebrate America” is a favorite with clients.
However, the
design, “Childhood Friend: Early 1900s Rocking Horse on a Braided Rug” remains
Gaul’s personal favorite. “That was a fun design to make because it has lots of
dimension,” Gaul said.
In addition to
creating kits and patterns, Gaul is an author. Her self-published “Wool
appliqué Essentials — Tools and Techniques for Success,” complements her
patterns and serves as a handy resource for wool-stitch aficionados.
Meetinghouse Hill
Designs was nominated for the 2013 and 2014 Martha Stewart American Made award.
Gaul has taught at shops, quilt guilds, museums and events nationwide, and at
the renown Vermont Quilt Festival from 2015 to 2017.
Gaul’s recently
redesigned style of soft-cover pattern books contain detailed written
instructions and 25-80 color procedural photos. Full-scale pattern layouts and
individually-drawn pattern pieces, stitching diagrams and information about
working with felted wool also are contained. The cost of Meetinghouse Hill
Design patterns range from $10 to $32, and kits containing full patterns, felt
wool pieces and hand-dyed threads can fetch up to as much as $365.
Gaul shares the
story that inspired each design on the back cover of each book.
In 2016,
Meetinghouse Hill Designs won “viewer’s choice” for “best-decorated booth”
during the 40th anniversary of the Vermont Quilt Festival in Essex Junction,
Vt. The business also has participated at quilt shows and hook-ins nationwide
including the American Quilter’s Society Quilt Show in Paducah, Ky.
Gaul was named a
“Directory Artisan” for Early American Life magazines’ 2019 Directory of
Traditional American Crafts, scheduled for release in Decembers’ Holiday
Directory issue. She has been published in ATHA (Association of Traditional Hooking Artists)
Magazine, Rug Hooking Magazine and National Quilting Association’s “The Quilting
Quarterly.”
She has conducted
dimensional wool appliqué demonstrations in Phoenix, Ariz., and in Denver and
Longmont. As a public speaker, Gaul seeks to draw community together in her
love for textiles.
Gaul’s biggest
challenge is producing the work without hired assistance.
“It’s challenging
to be a one-person show, to be able to do it all and do it well,” Jerry said.
His wife agreed, adding that perseverance and treating others with respect
always prevails.
“We are delighted
to share our passion for wool with you, and look forward to inspiring your
journey of stitching, hooking and punching,” Gaul said.
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