The Unmentionables Series: Double D

This is the second in a series of quilts, The Unmentionables. My mother always called our underwear “unmentionables.” Do you see the unmentionables?

In March 2022 while scrolling through my Instagram feed, I saw a post and thought, “that’s a great minimal quilt.” I clicked on it and soon realized it was an ad for Pact underwear, called High-Rise Hipsters. I shared this funny story with my guild mates on our Instagram chat. They said, “You need to make that into a quilt.”

The conversation then explored the idea of actual underwear used in a quilt or a bra made out of a quilt- maybe a bralette.

I said, “I’d love a quilt bralette.”

A guild mate said, “quiltkinis lol

Another suggested, “Psychic outlaw makes quilted corsets.”

Another said, “You are my weirdest friends. And I say that with awe and admiration.”

Another friend said, “Seriously you must make this.” I agreed.

Another quilter suggested, “I can see a quilt series of womenswear under garment shapes.”

I responded, “Like bras garters pantyhose sports bras, and — depends.”

She said, “And those old sanitary napkin straps. What were they called?” That was before my time. She said, “Lucky you. They were awful.”

Eventually I wrote, “It’s something I’ve never given much thought to. This series could be life changing. Long live granny panties!!!!

They insisted I had to make this quilt and make a series of quilts, exploring our relationship with unmentionables and other female issues such as periods and birth control.

I began sketching in my Procreate app. I immediately made the Double D sketch.

I made the High-Rise Hipsters quilt first though. I exhibited it as part of our guild’s exhibit at Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival in 2023.

High Rise Hipsters

So, I ask you to imagine what your unmentionables might look like.

If you want to see Double D, it will be on display at QuiltCon 2024 in Raleigh in the Negative Space category.

In memory of Phyllis Mondak

My friend Phyllis Mondak died recently. She was generous and kind. She had a knack for making people feel welcome. About a week ago, we had a virtual conversation about sewing barefoot and the dangers of falling seam rippers. I have this photo of her basting a quilt in the hotel hallway at a guild retreat in 2019– barefoot of course.

We had such memorable times together. This is Phyllis with fellow friend and guild member Ann Prince.

She was the owner of Quilting Adventures. She provided the guild with the best deals and she was really good at her job. She was extraordinary and I will miss her.

Three Years Later

It has been a long three years.

None of my close family or friends died from Covid-19, but I know people who have. At this point, because I’m vaccinated and boosted, I will probably survive any infection. Nonetheless I have spent most of those three years inside my home. I visited my daughter in 2021 after my first vaccination. I was so hopeful then.

Then Delta and Omicron. Cases are down now, and we’ve learned so much about covid and how to treat symptoms.

I’ve started going out to eat and it feels weird. This invisible monster is in the room and I know it has killed millions of people, and I should leave immediately. All of us want to forget. We experienced trauma together and now we want to gather and laugh and eat. I get it, but it’s hard for me.

So here I sit on my couch, hoping for better days.

Sightseeing, 2021

Wanda