Quilt Books: June 2008 Archives
About a year ago, I did an artist in the spotlight article on Jake (click here to read the previous article). When I received our order for her most recent book (just released/published by C & T Publishing) called, Comfort Quilts from the Heart, I new I needed to touch base with her again.
Jake shared this "back story" about writing her new book:
The idea for the book came from when my 18-year old cousin was diagnosed with a very aggressive and rare childhood cancer. It was 2002, right before Xmas, and my husband and I decided to fly from LA to Sacramento with our toddler to spend Xmas with her. I was devastated. Aubrey was the daughter I had always wanted and we were very close for many years. I knew her diagnosis was not good and I wanted her to have something comforting while she went through treatment.
After scouring ALL of the quilt books and magazines I had, I couldn't find any that addressed quilts for people who were sick or for teens for that matter. I drafted a simple rail fence block and spent two full days sewing while my hubby took care of Samantha. Then, on the third day, we traveled north. I was still tacking binding on the flight up.
I tell this story in its entirety in the introduction, and there is more, but the bottom line was I got to thinking that we quilters are ALWAYS making things for other people, and many times it's for people who are ill, hurting, or even strangers in need. Sometimes the quilts are therapeutic in nature, as you find with my Fidget Quilts, which were designed with the input of licensed caregivers working with Alzheimer's and dementia patients. Other times they're just practical, like the wheelchair quilt and the walker bag. And of course, they are fun, like the gameboard quilts.
One of the most important parts of this book, in my mind, is not the projects. It is the resource section in the back with includes in-depth information on starting a charity effort involving quilts, either to be given or to raise funds, and some of the many organizations that accept quilts. I outline doing charity efforts on a local and national level and I've interviewed several well-known organizers, like Ami Simms and Ginny Spiegel. It's my hope that quilters will take their passion and help others with it.
What else is keeping Jake busy these days? She's writing for a couple of the quilt mags; she edits books for C&T as a freelancer; she teaches, lectures (and travels) on quilt topics. Of course, she's debating which of several new books I want to tackle next. She also works around her seven-year-old daughter, serving as her Girl Scout Brownie leader. (WOW...she's busy!)
Jake's first book, Fast, Fun & Easy Book Cover Art, has been a huge success.
If you're interested in contacting Jake to teach in your area, you may email Jake (click here) or check out her website at .http://jakefinchdesigns.com/
