Susan R. DuLaney started Distinctive Pieces in 1990. She has quilted and embroidered since childhood and is an expert in hand appliqué. Her subjects are botanical or architectural, often with Southwestern influence.
She is the originator of hi-profile appliquéTM, a unique, dimensional, hand-sewing technique. Her method is streamlined to require little marking and no ironing, no freezer paper and no basting. The appliqué has a sculptured, dimensional look that is achieved while sewing and without cutting the backing to stuff from behind. This padding method gives her creations an unusual, realistic quality.
In addition to designing the floral appliqué quilting patterns, Susan creates site-specific commissioned art and displays nationally in quilt and fiber art shows. Her work is not limited to any construction method or material. She is especially adept at integrating unrelated fabrics and incorporating texture and pattern in her compositions.
Beam & Corbels and Kachina Tiles, quilts from her KiMo Abstractions series, were inspired by the Pueblo Deco style of the KiMo Theater in downtown Albuquerque and have been exhibited in Tactile Architecture.
Greetings received international acclaim as the New Mexico winner in the Memories of Childhood contest sponsored by the Museum of American Folk Art in New York City.
Mexican Tiles, a sampler for the 12" sunflower, morning glory and geranium blocks has won awards in national shows.
Italian Tiles, designed using the 12" poppy and fern blocks, has also been shown extensively.
Four Seasons was awarded Best Workmanship and First Place Wall Quilt at Bell Grove Plantation’s A Century of Quiltmaking in Winchester, Virginia.
Patterns for both Tile quilts and Four Seasons are available.
To support quilting and quilters, Susan is a member of the American Quilter's Society, The Appliqué Society, the Arizona Quilters Guild and the Association of Pacific Northwest Quilters.
For Susan, manipulating cloth and adding texture through quilting give art a dimension mere paint never could.
See some great photos and read more about the designer in these publications:
- Quilting Quarterly / Summer 1999 / Magazine of the National Quilting Association
- American Quilter / Spring 1997 / American Quilter's Society quarterly publication
- Traditional Quilter / November 1996
- Traditional Quilter / March 1993
- Memories of Childhood / 1989 / Museum of American Folk Art, E.P. Dutton