Meet the Maker
Shayla Bond's creative journey is deeply rooted in her upbringing, where her mother, a skilled craftsman, nurtured her innate curiosity and artistic spirit from a young age. Armed with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in fashion and textiles from NSCAD University, Shayla initially gravitated towards design and fashion, appreciating their conceptual and technical dimensions while occasionally overlooking the world of craft as quaint and traditional.
After spending over a decade in the digital realm, ESBE (pronounced es·bee) was birthed as a response to Shayla’s longing for a more profound, tactile connection with her work. Through the art of slow craft and a rekindling of her formal training, Shayla brings her experience in fashion and design to the table to create practical art quilts, with a contemporary take on a timeless craft. Today, she divides her time between crafting artisanal quilts for ESBE, and showing her fiber-based textile work in the fine art arena.
“I like to challenge the perception that quilts are merely kitschy relics and, instead, help to educate and expand on their well-deserved value. In a society that increasingly cherishes mindfully crafted goods and meaningful possessions, there’s no better moment for quilts to reemerge as contemporary masterpieces, all while preserving an age-old craft.”
New Traditions
Our aim is to modernize and breath new life into traditional quilting to produce instant heirlooms that grace your home for generations to come. ESBE quilts are for the discerning consumer who values authenticity, sustainability, and artistic expression equally. If you view your possessions and personal space as an extension of yourself, every item, opting for pieces with purpose and backstory over mere decorative items, ESBE quilts are made for you.
Quilts are exceptional works of art that require a diverse tapestry of skills. From the intricate dance of mathematics and an innate sense of visual space, to the artistry of sewing and a relentless pursuit of precision. Once confined to the domestic sphere, quilting has experienced a remarkable renaissance within the realms of art and design.
The Making of an Heirloom
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Creating a quilt is a multi-step journey, though we'll simplify it here. It all begins with a design meticulously planned on graph paper, serving as the blueprint for creativity. Careful yardage calculations follow, with materials painstakingly sourced from local textile stores to ensure each quilt is a testament to precision and craftsmanship.
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Measure twice, cut once. Precision reigns supreme as fabric is meticulously cut to form the quilt 'blocks,' the building blocks of the quilt's top design. These blocks are then thoughtfully arranged and seamlessly pieced together, harmonizing each element into a cohesive whole.
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The cut pieces are then carefully pinned and stitched together to craft the quilt's centerpiece - the quilt top. Depending on the intricacy of the design, this step demands anywhere from 3 to 16 hours or more of dedicated craftsmanship, ensuring that every seam is in alignment and contributes to the quilt's main feature.
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After the quilt's top is skillfully sewn together, care is given to trim the hundreds of loose threads along the back seams. While seemingly mundane, this essential task ensures that the threads do not unravel or mar the quilt's final appearance. A true craftsman understands the importance of these subtle details in the pursuit of excellence.
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The back of the quilt is then pieced together and the batting which gives the quilt it’s tuft and comfort is cut. The quilt is then ‘sandwiched’ and basted with pins. All three layers are prepped for the top to be quilted either by hand or machine.
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Quilting stands as the pièce de résistance in this creative journey. It's the stitching along the quilt's surface that imparts its distinctive, 'quilted' appearance and is often the most time-intensive step. Depending on size and intricacy, quilting a piece can range from 6 to 20+ hours. This step can be executed by hand, by hand on a machine, or with the assistance of a 'longarm' machine—a specialized, large-scale apparatus that can reduce quilting time to just 3 hours.
At ESBE, we employ a range of these techniques, and each is meticulously documented on the ESBE Authenticity Certificate accompanying every quilt.
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After the quilting process is complete, the quilt is carefully 'squared' up, cut to its desired shape, and the the binding is sewn on. At ESBE, we take pride in finishing the binding by hand, opting for our last sign off on every piece to be one of thoughtful touch.
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To ensure the individuality and authenticity of each piece, a unique identification number is assigned via label that matches the corresponding digits on your ESBE Authenticity Certificate. This meticulous tracking process ensures that every ESBE quilt remains a distinct, one-of-a-kind piece of art.
The quilt is now finally ready for it’s new home.
