Stephanie Kwolek © Mary Tims

Stephanie Kwolek

Mary Tims

Oakton, Virginia, USA

Artist Statement

I’ve always loved anything to do with fabric and thread. And I am fascinated by how the world works. So this chance to combine my love of quilting with a world-changing invention was something I couldn’t pass up. I used both old-fashioned hand embroidery and computerized machine quilting to create this tribute to a woman whose work has made such a difference in so many lives. This piece shows a small but oh-so-important part of the results of her work and allows me to contribute to her memory.

Woman’s Groundbreaking Accomplishment

Stephanie Kwolek didn’t save a few lives as a doctor; she saved countless lives as a chemist.

Techniques

Machine quilting, hand embroidery, Intense pencils, Paintstiks, free-motion stitching.

Materials

Cotton fabric, wool batting, Kevlar fabric, assorted threads.