Over The Top Quilting regularly displays an artist’s work at our Studio. Theresa Benedetti is our current featured Artist. We are privileged to have Theresa’s works at the Studio. Here’s Theresa’s story.
While I was born and raised in New Jersey, I now call Texas my home.
My quilting journey or adventure began with a love of doing things with my hands – knitting, crocheting, embroidery, gardening, and so on. My mother used to complain that I never just sat without some project in my hands!
Sewing and quilting evolved after a time. Truth be told, I was pretty pathetic as a sewer! My first “One Hour Dress” pattern took over two weeks to make and was a disaster.
Quilting somehow happened to engage me about 28 years ago, but in a rather offhand way. I consider myself mostly self-taught, taking a few classes now and then along the way. Being a member of a quilt guild and attending quilt shows introduced me to speakers and the vast world of quilting.
It was not until I moved to Texas that I was able to devote more time in my quilting endeavors. Up until that time I finished my quilts, mostly small ones, with hand quilting and larger ones with longarming services, “quilting by check” as I’ve heard some people call it.
In Texas, I discovered that I could finish my quilts on my own – such a rewarding feeling! I am thrilled to be able to not only longarm my own quilts, but also be able to teach others the joys of longarming. My quilting journey continues as I explore new quilting techniques and expand my free motion and longarming skills. I hope to continue to enjoy the pleasures and challenges of quilting for a very long time!
My displayed quilts:
The Labyrinth Quilt was one pattern that caught my eye but sat waiting in the wings for quite some time. When the top was completed, it beckoned me to enhance it with more than edge to edge quilting. This was definitely a bit intimidating as it entailed free motion quilting and block placement of quilting designs, which was a new skill and challenge for me. There is no doubt that I will take up the challenge again!
Being by the ocean or the shore or beach is a happy place for me. When I can’t be there, I can gaze at this little quilt and pretend that I’m there.
David Owen Hastings taught a class on incorporating architectural elements in quilts. We focused on a small element or area of a building, bridge, or natural structure and executed that portion into our quilt.
The colors and “rainy” feel of the fabrics in this little quilt were so soothing and peaceful that I had to make it for my own.
The magic of Tim Holtz had been with me for quite a while through his scrapbooking papers and supplies. When he branched out to designing fabrics, it wasn’t long before I added many of his fabrics to my stash.
Modern Quilt Studio introduced a Summer Camp Mystery Quilt in the Summer of 2023. I don’t recall attending camp (We played outside a lot with kids in the neighborhood in my day.) I thought it was about time for me to go to camp. The experience was great fun and a little bit of a learning curve, but Bill and Weeks Randall were the perfect camp directors and the other camp participants were very supportive.
January, 2024 brought me to the quilting land of intrigue, mystery, amd transparency. The Secret Agent Mystery Quilt helped to hone my color knowledge and provided new ways to construct quilt blocks while addressing color theory principles.
“Celebrate” is the joyous result of Irene Roderick’s Dancing with the Wall workshop. It was such a unique experience and exercise in quilt making. There were so very many versions before this final version. The creation of this quilt enlightened me to a new awareness and thoughtfulness in the quilt making process.
Paula Nadelstern is a masterful fabric designer and quilt artist. Her fabrics provide a sparkle to this quilt.