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Laura Cowperthwaite

I have long been captivated by stories of all types: myth, fable, history, drama, comedy. The first 40 years of my life, I focused my creative energy on my first love, theatre. When my sons were born the demanding pace of making theatre seemed impossible so I began looking for a new creative outlet, one more conducive to being the mother of three growing boys. Out of sheer creative desperation, I picked up a threaded needle and began embroidering. Then my grandmother passed away. I inherited her sewing machine plus a cedar chest full of beautiful linens and unfinished sewing projects. As I stitched a quilt-top, hand-pieced be my great-grandmother, a new relationship to story dawned in me. She passed when I was in third grade and yet as I added my hand to her work, I felt deep connection to the cycle of life and my female legacy.

I believe all fabric, once worn, slept under or wrapped up in, will forever carry a piece of the user. The story of where something has come from, who wore it, on what occasion and how the person felt about it informs the creative process and enriches the new article. Quilts have long been a repository for family history. They are an exquisite example of the beauty and utility that can come from recycling the old into something new. The idea for Children's Art was also born of boredom and a need to stitch something besides store bought patterns. I was enchanted by the art my boys were producing and decided it would be interesting to see how they translated to fabric and thread.

I love working with clients planning for a new piece. We trade stories, laugh and sometimes cry together as we pour over any variety of memorabilia related to the project and slowly a new vision emerges. I get a great charge finding ways to include meaningful elements from the memories shared during the planning process. I've included a few of these significances in the narratives for each of the projects on this web site.

Memory Quilts

Anniversaries, weddings, graduations, special and momentous occasions are the inspiration for my mostly crazy memory quilts. Each project is individually tailored to your wishes based on the occasion/memory being celebrated. Contact me with any idea you may have and together we'll create the perfect heirloom piece.

Hostess Skirt Photo

The Hostess Skirt

This is an idea that came to me several years ago when I inherited my grandmother's and great-grandmother's sewing paraphernalia. Among the treasures were several vintage cocktail aprons from the 1950's. I was surprised with the fine needlework and captivated by their feminine dressiness. They were of lovely floral prints, lace, fine detailing and hours of hand-embroidered designs on very fine fabrics. These aprons were more a fashion accessory than a practical item to protect a dress from the splatters and stains of kitchen duty.

The cocktail apron was emblematic of an era. Think June Cleaver, Donna Reed, or more recently, the Julianne Moore character in the film "Far From Heaven." Our roles and attitudes as women have evolved dramatically since those days. It was the irony of using what was once a symbol of feminine subservience as the centerpiece for contemporary fashion that interested me in making the skirts. The contrast of the images evoked by these aprons, the stereotypical 1950's housewife, is turned upside down when the aprons are reworked into sassy, flirty summer sportswear for today's women.

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Each Hostess Skirt is a unique piece of wearable art. They are whimsical, humorous, colorful and comfortable. They can be dressed up or kept casual.

Baby Blankies Photos

Baby Blankies

These 100% cotton flannel blankets quickly become "baby's blankie," the one they can't do without. Perfect for all stages of a young one's life: snuggly soft for swaddling new-borns, durable enough to survive years of being taken everywhere, and large enough to be the perfect nap blanket for pre-schoolers and kindergartners. Blankets are double sided with embroidered edges, approximately 40-inch square, Machine wash & dry.

Kids' Art

Children's art is perhaps the truest, most pure of all. Kids tell the darnedest stories about the pictures they make; and the pictures tell intriguing tales about the kids who make them. A few years ago Laura started reproducing children's drawings and paintings in fabric and thread. Using appliqué, photo transfer and traditional embroidery, the paper art (often wrinkled and ripped) that your children create is transformed into heirloom quality art.

The Artistic Process

Children's Artwork Back to Top

You Pick your Favorites—Go through your child's art choosing no fewer than 4 or 5 and no more than 12-15 possible original drawing, paintings, sketches, doodles, whatever appeals to you. You don't have to know why you like it, just that it speaks to you somehow.

We Talk and Choose—in person or on-line (if you have digital capabilities you can send me photos) we chat about what you like in each piece, how each might be translated, what techniques are appropriate, size, color, where you picture it living in your home, and what format you'd like (framed piece, quilt, pillow, etc.). This process is followed by a written description of what we have agreed to do and a good faith estimate of timing and costs.

Delivery of Original Materials—To begin work I need the original pieces of art and any other items you choose to include (cloths, photos, charms, etc.) I promise to use the utmost care with your precious treasures and to return them to you in the same condition in which I received them. I get to work on your project. Some projects may require intermittent decision or consultations. When your piece is finished I contact you to determine how you'd like to obtain it.

Frameable pieces are archivally mounted on board but unframed.

All pieces are signed

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Biography

For those of you who like to see the vita here it is:

Producer - Mountain International exchange - Denver, 1994-1998

An umbrella organization for international cultural exchange. Programs included:

Some Theatre credits:

Tour manager - "Wake Up Little Suzie" - Colorado, 1991-92

A multi-media art installation exploring and illustrating the history of Roe v. Wade.

Director of Marketing & Development - International Performance Studio

at Facets Multimedia , Chicago, 1988-90

B.A. in Arts, Media, Management and Promotion - Columbia College, 1987

CMA Marketing, Chicago, IL 1983-87 — managed a consumer-based idea generation group developing concepts for; positioning and naming products, applications for new technologies and brand expansion.

Owner - Dance works Plus - Topeka, KS, 1979-81

An early version of today's aerobics studios.

Board Service:

Committee Service:

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