Yvonne Line, an internationally known Victorian Quilter. Across the span of her 60-year quilting career, she has made a lasting impact on the Australian quilting community. She’s built a reputation on her innovative, often genre-defying pieces. By combining her mastery of traditional practices with today’s design ideas, she’s carved out a reputation as a trendsetter in the quilting world. Sadly, Yvonne was forced to give up her quilting. Though her demeanor remains sunny and upbeat, Alzheimer’s disease has eroded her ability to perform basic tasks and worsened her feelings of distress. Now living in an aged care facility in Albury, her brother John Lamb is committed to keeping her memory alive.
Curator John Lamb has arranged the upcoming “Threads of Life” exhibition to feature Yvonne’s thought-provoking, textured quilts. These works include everything from bicycle tires to plastic bags sewn together, highlighting her innovative style and method of quilting. Though Alzheimer’s has become a formidable foe, Yvonne’s artistry continues to delight the hundreds of thousands of people who savor the beauty of her craft.
A Journey Through Quilting
Yvonne Line’s adventure in the quilt world started with an adventurous, creative spirit. During this time, she continued to use materials found from various locations in her projects over the decades. Each quilt that she made was more than just a textile business venture, but rather the realization of her artistry.
“Every day for a year, she picked out a bit of material … religiously,” shared John Lamb, emphasizing his sister’s dedication to her craft. Yvonne never limited herself to one aesthetic, and this was part of what made her an unstoppable quilting trailblazer.
Her artistry and talent for producing quilts that were separate from the genre’s expected constraints quickly drew the eyes of the world. “She was part of a global movement that took quilts from a domestic [pastime] to artistic,” noted Padraic Fisher, a fellow quilter and admirer of Yvonne’s work.
The Impact of Alzheimer’s
About four years ago, Yvonne started developing symptoms of early onset Alzheimer’s disease. This condition eventually caused her to lose the ability to quilt and forced her to stop quilting two years ago. Even with all the trials she endured, John remembers that even as Yvonne’s short-term memory faded, her long-term memory had kept her technical skills intact.
“She lost some of her memory, but her skill set was fine because it was in her long-term memory,” said John Lamb, illustrating the complexities of living with Alzheimer’s while retaining artistic talent.
As he plans for the upcoming exhibition, an experience of conflicting feelings sets upon John. Seeing his sister’s quilts displayed in person is poignant, particularly since her journey of quilting has sadly stopped. “It’s one thing to see in a book, but to see it in real life, it’s just very emotional,” he remarked.
Honoring Creativity and Skill
With “Threads of Life,” John wants to provide Yvonne the legacy that mirrors her artistry and creativity. “It’s good to give her some due for her skill and her creativity,” he stated.
Padraic Fisher praised Yvonne’s meticulous nature, saying, “Her artistry is exceptional, and world-class … she’s meticulous in the way she designs and executes things.” Yvonne’s quilts are taking center stage at the quilt festival. They document her deep impact on the quilting community.
