For the remainder of July, the Daviess County Public Library is featuring local quilting artist Julie Lane in their front displays. Lane is a Daviess County native who has had a passion for the art of quilting since she sewed her first one 23 years ago.
That first quilt was sewn for her firstborn, and it was that simple act of love that soon transformed into an affection for creating art quilts. Lane is a highly decorated quilter that has competed in countless competitions.
“I enjoy the quilt challenges and creating my own pieces — each quilt consists of many hours and months to complete,” she said. “I don’t have a long arm quilting machine, so each one has been quilted on a tabletop sewing machine.”
Lane’s most recent accolade includes having two of her more recognizable quilts on tour in the United States and other parts of the world. One of the quilts features the late Princess Diana, while the late Bob Ross accentuates the other.
She hopes that her form of artistic quilting will serve as an inspiration to younger generations and possibly incite a passion for quilting within them. Lane comes from a long line of quilters and uses her artistic ability to add her own flair to the practice.
“I think younger generations probably perceive quilting as old-fashioned, so I hope to show them a different aspect where it’s less traditional,” she said. “More than anything, I just want my art to inspire others to try something new.”
Originally crafting quilts for her family, Lane credits them as her biggest supporters and a primary reason that she decided to enter competitions. Naturally proud, Lane’s sister informed her of the opportunity to have her work showcased at the local library.
“Julie creates beautiful quilts for quilting competitions. Currently we are displaying two of her quilts,” said library Public Relations Coordinator Tiffani Henry. “The first quilt has won awards and highlights the life of Prince; the second is an ode to her deceased family members.”
Henry said the library’s mission is to serve as a community connector and one way that they are doing that is by highlighting local artists in their front displays. Their goal is to feature a new artist and medium each month.
Lane spends hundreds of hours perfecting each individual quilt, and the excess fabric always lying around is her inspiration to keep going. She has crafted quilts that feature airbrushing, jewels, keepsakes, copy photos, and much more.
“Most of my inspiration comes from ideas I’ve had — I was able to transcribe letters that my grandfather wrote home from war to a quilt in his handwriting,” Lane said. “The challenges that I compete in all involve different themes and generally require us to use specific fabrics; you have to find ways to be creative.”
While she gives of her time endlessly to the craft, she’s certainly not in it for the money. Lane has crafted quilts for military veterans, friends and family, and for various outreach programs.
She most recently competed in a competition that served as a fundraiser for an organization that assists homeless individuals in finding a home. Her quilt won the competition and went on to be featured in the organization’s magazine, but her greatest fulfillment comes in knowing that the quilt is now being used in someone’s home that needed it at the time.
“I’ve always been an artist and I come from a family full of seamstresses and craft makers,” Lane said. “It was just one of those things I wanted to learn how to do … These quilts aren’t meant to be kept at my house; I want them to be seen and inspire others.”
