Thursday, November 5, 2009

I Could use your help..........

I was interviewed for the Sewn.com magazine just recently and in the article I said that if you interviewed 12 different people you would get 12 different answers about what made things "Primitive" so it got me to thinking................asking you this question I'd love to hear what you have to say about what you think makes something primitive.  And, let's just make it fun............starting today until November 15th whom ever gives me their ideas about this, will have their name in the hat for a drawing!  Ok, on your mark, get set, go.................

42 comments:

LyndaG said...

When I think of primitive, I think simple and functional

Lori said...

So many things can mean primitive. In my mind it is simple, fun, and hand crafted without worry of perfection. If something is super bright I wouldn't consider that primitive.

Kathleen said...

I've recently started to like primitive things but I'm not "all out" into primitive. I think of it as items made from fabrics that look aged, stained, or even drab colors. I even think of some of the items as sort of creepy looking, like the dolls. I was looking at your patterns, there are quite a few I'll get. I especially love your new one, Mocking Birds.

Unknown said...

When I think of Primitives the first word that comes to mind is imperfect. Primitives are not cookie cutter perfect, they do not have that mass produced look. Primitive antiques are objects made by hand without the use of patterns. Primitive antiques are utilitarian items handmade by people who lived by the old saying, "make do, or do without."

WoolenSails said...

I think of primitive as a piece that is naive and using darker fabrics. Simple, and unsophisticated, using stash fabrics, no being uniform in color. Also, I think of it as more hand made, as far as the applique goes.

Debbie

Jeanette said...

When I think of primitive, I think of simple shapes, not necessarily in proportion, muted colors, odd pieces "thrown in" (maybe the wrong direction or mismatched fabrics), making do with what you've got, not worrying about being "perfect".

Stina Blomgren said...

Primitive... I think of.. fun... crazy and simple things... that makes me smile... and not having to be so precise ... it does not matter if it was not perfect... and warm and cozy!! :o) Just like your fantastic things made!!

Karen said...

I think of prim style as being darker fabrics. Usually some plaids mixed in. Simpler shapes. Rather free form. Making do with what you have on hand. An old look.

paulette said...

To me, primitive (in the world of quilting....) means wools, flannels, plaids, tea staining and lovely applique-warm and cozy. I love the primitive look! That's why I love Primitive Pieces!
Take care!
Paulette

Carol said...

Good dark and dirty fabrics...warm and cozy feeling...not perfect...

Barbara Sindlinger said...

I think it would be the absence of tiny details. Plain and simple dark aged looking colors. Lots of hand work.

Shakerwood said...

Primitive to me is anything you don't mind the kids or the grandkids carrying into the house from the car ! If they drop it, it just makes it look that much more antiqued!

sewmany said...

Primitive - the first thing I think of is "old" or "preserved". The colors would be dull. There would be no white or bright colors.

Jenne said...

I think it's anything utilitarian and well used/loved. With a definite patina.

Anonymous said...

I think of primitive as older, darker and well loved. It is simple and feels like it has been there ages,
Sue...
Susan.phillips30@ntlworld.com

Anonymous said...

Primitive....to me means...darker colors..seams to not have to match..or even meet..an old warm look that reminds me of my Granny...well used, well worn,tea stained or splattered with paint..all hemmed with much Love!!!!

Irishgirlsews said...

Primitive to me means several things, I use what I have on hand, I use natural fibers. I do believe that even if the item is considered "primitive" it still needs to be very well made, good design,simple, good balance and those great deep saturated colors. In everything we do we should consider that "if its worth our time, its worth doing well"

Wendy

Darlene B said...

I think of primitive as anything that is basically simple - representing a life free of extra "stuff" that can clutter up our lives.

Amy said...

Primitive to me is sort of like a big hug - those colors and things that make me go "ahhh" and relax. It's warmth and simplicity - a sort of feeling of going back in time to when life wasn't so complicated and someone else took care of the big things. Colors are more muted, there's lots of well-worn wood and peeling paint. I love primtive because it doesn't have to be perfect, which takes some of the pressure off me to be perfect.

imagrandma2five said...

Being from the Appalachian Mountains, when I think of primitive I think of things my grandmother had, cast iron stove, crocks, quilts, ball jars, butter churns, etc.

Pat said...

To me primitive is old looking, plain,simple,worn,used,hand crafted,imperfect and well loved!

Hand Quilting Nana said...

To me primitive is like the chest of drawers we had in our bedroom. I love shabby chic and I wanted my hubby to sand a few little places to fit in with the shabby chic look. Well he sanded too much and in my mind took it all the way to primitive. Too much wood showing and not enough white left.

Linda

Anonymous said...

A handcrafted item that gives the impression of being from a past era.

Mimi said...

When I think primitive, I think, old, plaids, coffee stained, handmade, dark colors. Where my dolls are concerned or my holiday decorations, I refer to them as my "ugly" dolls or my "ugly" Christmas tree (Charlie Brown tree); simple, yet so fitting. I love primitive more and more.

Nancy in MT said...

Oh Lynda, I have to use Linda Brannock's quote of what is primtive quilting, "it is not a lack of knowledge or craftsmanship, it is a more relaxed style. Not rigid, not sloppy, mixing plaids, prints, stripes and checks in a relaxed way. It is like the difference between folk art and fine art." I admire the handmade, applique shapes that tell a story of our quilting with an passion for the plain and simple things in our life.

Lorraine said...

Muddy colors, simplistic in design & not symmetrical. A child likeness to it. Plaids askew, points lopped off, if it doesn't fit - make it fit! Quilted with larger stitches or using "big stitch or utility quilting".

Sherrill said...

To me, primitive says 'not perfect', quaint, simply done and homey.

suz said...

To me, primitive means country and old-fashioned. I live in New England, so we have a lot of homes that are over 200 years old. I think of hand-hewn beams, sturdy furniture, calicos that are worn and faded, items that are hand-and heart-made.

Gayle said...

Well, first of all, primitive has to have an 'old' feeling about it, although it doesn't actually have to BE old! Simple -

LONA said...

PRIMITIVE-SIMPLE-NOT CUTSY
REMINDERS OF DAYS GONE BY

Anonymous said...

primitive is not always perfect & you use what you have & make do. Sometimes it's dark colors. Sometimes it is cutting something off before using the ruler.
primitive is making do with what you have like the old days. primitive is you & cheri saffiote-payne. primitive is simple patterns. primitive is simple.

kim from san diego
knaylor@san.rr.com

Robin said...

To me, primitive is folk-art at its best. A primitive piece gives me the hopeful feeling that it is something I could create myself - whether or not that's actually true, LOL! Prim decor is country, used & loved, not-quite-perfect...the antithesis of the "Made in ____"(fill in the blank with any of those countries where they do cheap, mass-produced decorations)...

Audrey said...

When I think of primitive, I think dark, deep colors, well loved and used items, often worn in places. I also think of things not so 'perfect' but with a human touch.
Audrey
bretz@roadrunner.com

isa & marta said...

Primitivo, es algo simple, original, como básico o clásico, en edredones lo compararía con los antiguos, aquellos anteriores al modernismo.

Carolyn said...

To me Primitive is simple, old, utilitarian, plain, not fancy, not perfect, definitely homemade or crudely made. When life was not so complicated. So many words to describe it. Or is it that it takes us back to our childhood when times were more carefree and the world didn't seem to move so fast???

debbie said...

Things that are well worn and have a story to tell would be something that I would consider primitive.

~Laurie~ said...

When I think of primitive, I think of "old/aged" and "whimsical". Something that could be displayed in a country home also comes to mind.
Laurie

Quilted Rainbow said...

I think of something in dark muted colors- muddy & rusty. The applique pieces are simple, child-like drawings. Points aren't important and quilting is wonderful with big stitch or tied. Primitive quilts make me feel warm & cozy.

Linda C said...

Simple and ageless feel is what I think of when I think of primitive. A classic piece that will fit in with china or would fit in with paper plates.

Unknown said...

Hi Everyone....thanks so much for all the wonderful answers you've given. I'm not surprised, but I'm afraid I might have been wrong when I said if you ask 12 different people you'd get 12 different answers.....so many of you are saying the same thing only differently. I hope to use what you've given me in the article I am writing for the "Sewn" Magazine. I'm not sure when they will be posting it, but if they let me know in advance I will let you know. Remember, the drawing for a prize will be November 15th....so if you've posted your name will go into the drawing.....!!NO I'm not telling you, you'll just have to wait! Good luck!!!

The Demanding Doll said...

When I hear primitive in regards to quilts or decorating items it brings to mind only good things - home and hearth, comfort, warmth, simplicity; and the colors of fall - pumpkin, mustard, earth, russets.

Anonymous said...

Primitives reminds me of another way of life, simple times. Family times, family ties and quante family homes. I love primitives Sharon