QUILTS
Patching Up Colorful Snippets of Life
By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
Kymn Ji-hee, 30, is stressed by her job like any other modern urbanite. She recently took up a new hobby to calm her nerves ― quilting.
``I always have too many thoughts running through my mind, and I found that quilting clears my head. I'm looking at the fabric and trying to figure out how to sew it correctly. And there are so many colors and fabrics, it's so fun,'' she said.
Quilting is a time-honored tradition in many cultures. This craft of sewing together pieces of fabric can be found in different corners of the world, and dates all the way back to Ancient Egypt.
The art of patchwork reflects an enduring way of life ― the wisdom of mothers recycling pieces of fabric to create fun artwork.
Quilts, Coffee & Galore
Care for a drive to the suburbs of Seoul? An's Quilt in Heyri, Gyeonggi Province might just be the place. This quilt shop/cafe/gallery is the ultimate playground for quilt-lovers.
An Sung-eun, 42, started quilting in the Western tradition 14 years ago, and ran a quilt shop in Apgujeong and Sadang in southern Seoul before moving here, where she and her husband have made their home, along with a five-month-old puppy Mongsiri.
``I've always been a fan of needlecraft, ranging from cross-stitching to jogakbo (Korean patchwork). But I found cross-stitching a bit monotonous. Quilting, on the other hand, is stimulating. You have to constantly think about the myriad ways to mix and match designs, colors and fabrics.
``You need a lot of patience and endurance, but it's highly rewarding. You feel a great deal of satisfaction once you complete a project. It's also a really fun and productive way to spend time, since you can keep both your hands and mouth busy, quilting while chatting with your friends,'' she said.
When The Korea Times arrived, An and a couple of other quilt makers were sitting together at a long wooden table, conversing with a cup a tea. It was like a scene from the classic film ``How to Make an American Quilt'' starring Winona Ryder.
An offers private one-on-one classes ― beginners to advanced. One corner of the shop is dedicated to supplies, where rainbow-hued fabrics and yarns await you. Downstairs is a gallery exhibiting works by An and a couple by her disciples. They range from full-sized works to stuffed bunnies, cushions and fashionable bags.
``Quilted items are great because they're very utilitarian and versatile. You can machine-wash them, and bags, for example, are very light,'' she said. `` They become addictive once you get hooked on them.''
Even If you're not a professional quilt-maker just yet, you can feel at home at An's. The cafe is the first place you step into, and mouthwatering cakes (4,000 won) await you. We tried the dark chocolate and orange mousse, which were both yummy. The pastry chef says An's uses all-natural ingredients.Drinks cost 5,000-6,500 won and the menu includes special black teas like Assam.
Located right across the street from the back entrance of Gyeonggi English Village Paju Camp, the modern building is hard to miss.
It takes less than an hour by car from central Seoul. It take about an hour and a half by public transportation. Take subway line 3 all the way to its west end, Daehwa station. From the bus stop located between exits 4 and 6, take bus 900 for a 30-minute ride to Heyri intersection.
Open weekdays 10 a.m.-7 p.m., weekends 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Closed on Wednesdays. Call (031) 949-8641.
If you're not willing to make the long trip, there are nice shops in Seoul as well. Antique Bobine is a charming little shop located near Garosu-gil (Tree-lined Street) in Sinsa-dong, Southern Seoul. It displays an eye-catching collection of quilt products and supplies laid out on English and French antique furniture. Quilt specialist Oh Young-sil also offers classes. Open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. everyday, except on Thursdays when it's open until 9 p.m. Closed on Sundays. Call (02) 518-7195.