In 2013, I returned to Lithuania, the country where I was born and raised, after living in the United States. Here, quilting presents challenges that most quilters elsewhere might take for granted.
Quilting has never been a traditional Lithuanian craft. Historically, women here were taught to weave, knit, or crochet using the raw gray fibers of flax. These earthy tones resonate deeply with me—they are in my blood. Yet, I am equally drawn to bright, vivid colors. Straddling both cultures, I feel a mission to blend Lithuanian and American traditions in my craft and art. Still, when I reflect on my work, it often feels like a rebellion against the grayness of the past.
Creating art quilts in Lithuania requires adaptability. I dye my own fabrics under conditions that many would consider challenging. This process has transformed my style and opened doors to the world of art quilting.
Nature serves as my primary inspiration—flowers, trees, leaves, rocks, and water. In my quilts, I don’t aim to replicate nature but to interpret its lines, shapes, and colors, capturing its movement. My focus lies in color and texture. Hand-dyed fabrics provide a vibrant palette, while machine quilting and occasional hand stitching fulfill my need for texture.
I often work in series, exploring techniques such as curved piecing and reimagining the traditional log cabin block. My log cabin blocks are not precise; I improvise, sewing narrow strips around a small center until I’m satisfied with the shape and size. These blocks often tell the story of my quilt, complemented by curved pieced backgrounds. Currently, I’m enjoying a technique I call “color play,” where I dye folded fabrics in two colors. It’s a delight to discover how the colors blend and then incorporate these fabrics into my designs.
Recently, I’ve revisited Lithuania’s flax and linen traditions, integrating linen fabrics with elements of old crafts. These combinations breathe new life into the materials, creating a dialogue between past and present.
