When I first began making rag quilts, I called my label Candlewick & Roses. Here in New Zealand, “candlewick” refers to a textured, tufted cotton bedspread, usually vintage. I had collected quite a few over the years and loved using them in my quilts. The “roses” part came from one of my favourite flowers.
What I didn’t realise at the time was that in the USA, where most of my followers live, “candlewick” is known as chenille. And of course, chenille is the French word for caterpillar.
So when I later created the Caterpillar Club, a few conspiracy theories began to surface. Some people became convinced that the fluffy seams in my quilts were made with strips of chenille or “Chenille-It.”
To clear things up, I even filmed myself unpicking a seam on my Nellie rag quilt to show that the ragging was simply layers of fabric and nothing else. I shared the video in two rag quilting forums. One group removed me, but the other kindly let me stay and clear my name, something I’m still grateful for.
These days, I still use candlewick (or chenille) in my designs as an inlay. Candlewick, especially the hobnail style, doesn’t rag in the same way as woven cotton. Instead, it creates a chunky, more organic ragging.
I should also mention that after a kind chat with the lovely admin of the first group, I was welcomed back in. When she later stepped down, she even passed the reins on to me. R x
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