Netherlands Part Four Lucie Huig-Dunnebier

First Staircase Up!

I was recently told the Dutch quilt community is small. It might be small but it has so much talent!

Dorry introduced me to Dutch quilter Lucy Huig-Dunnebier.  I am honored that Lucie invited us into her home and studio.

As we walked the beautiful tree lined canals of Amsterdam one can't help but wonder what lies behind the 400 year historic doors of canal houses.

With Lucie's generous invitation, we toured her 400 year old home and studio.

This wonderful staircase is the first flight of steps on the  way to Lucie's Studio.

Ready?

Let's look at a few of Lucie's quilts.

Swirls of folded fabric create circles

Lucie is brilliant - her quilts are all made from 100% natural fibers. Silk, cotton or linen.

She does amazing handwork as she manipulates the fabrics in fine art quilts.

In these examples Lucie folds the fabric into textural circles that gleefully swirl across the surface of the quilt.  All of her quilts are hand quilted.

My photos won't do the beauty of the quilts their due justice - they are exquisite in quality, color and details.

This is the first room of Lucie's studio space.
She draped quilt after quilt across her hand quilting frame.

The room exploded in color and texture.
It was an experience I will never forget.

Same quilt - two views (top left)
Opened silk flower petals (top right)
Closed surface flaps (middle right)
Lucie opening a compartment (lower left)
Opened layers (lower right)

Each work of art has a story and Lucie relates the stories with passion and detail.

Quilts that change color and form as they are held in different directions.

Hand applique flowers that open to reveal pure silk petals with the tiniest accents of glass gold beads.

An architects daughter, Lucie plans intricate closures that facilitate the transformation of her quilts as layers are opened and closed, exposing delightful surprises in color and treasure.


Lucie has exhibited and taught all over Europe.
If you have the chance to see or experience these textile wonders - take it!

Studio view - a few of Lucie's quilts draped on her quilt frame

Her ingenious way of designing, and manipulating premium fabrics like wool, silk and linen is spell binding.

Add the color and texture and it is a feast for the eyes and hands.  I am guessing exhibit attendees always want to touch the quilts.

The quilts in this room were several layers deep.  I wish I could show them all to you.  Day and night backs and fronts remind children to sleep and wake with charming details.

Lucie's recently completed wool quilt

Lucie's new wool tweed piece hangs in the main front room.
The rich wool glows in the sun lights. I had an instant desire to run my hand over the surface.

Each square of wool was individually hand quilted.

The colors are arranged light to dark as the light enters the front window and adds to the dramatic effect.

Lucie collects the fabrics and then decides how she will use it.

The quilt hangs from the ceiling picture rails along with her talented husbands oil paintings, adding to the gallery effect.
We felt as if we were in an exhibit within each room.

Built in 1616, Lucie's family acquired the home after WWII, with muddy windows they weren't sure what they were getting. Grateful for the opportunity of a home after the devastation they have made it a beautiful and welcoming home.

Hand quilting detail (top)
One of her diagrams (middle)
Night time quilt back (bottom)

I found Lucie's studies and diagrams very interesting.


For exhibits she includes diagrams to assist viewers in understanding what the quilts do, how they transform and change as the surface is "opened".  Since exhibits are so stationary, I can see that some people may have a hard time understanding the quilts.


Lucie's hand stitches are beautiful, and enhance each quilt.
They are the subtle finish to the intricate surfaces.

The second room of her studio includes a large window overlooking the canal, her cutting table and shelving for her fabric collections.


What a beautiful space to create!

Lucie with one of her quilts - opening a compartment

Lucie had several quilts with children in mind. Compartments that opened to reveal treasures like baseball cards, dinosaur figures and rocks - special places for a child to stow away treasures.

As the treasures are placed in the front compartments, the quilt can be flipped to the back. The back reveals a sleepy theme such as a moonlit sky and twinkling stars - encouraging sleep and sweet dreams.

Each quilt back is as interesting as the front.

Wonderful aren't they?

Each of her quilts truly embodies what a real art quilt is.

Amsterdam Row House Poster

You never know what's behind those historic facades that line the canals, and now we can say we toured one.

Lucie's home is on this poster charting out the canal homes.

Thank you very much Lucie for generously sharing your home, quilts and art with us!

2016 Gallery Exhibit

Please leave a note for Lucie in the comments.

Kind Regards,
Dawn