Be-Hoppe-Day Quilting Bee
We are mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, nieces, cousins (and sometimes more than one of these at the same time) of the Benzinger, Hoppe & Day families. This year, it was decided that we would do something a little different and start making quilts for each of the quilters. Our first quilt was made for David Day. He is my grandfather’s cousin & designer of the Be-Hoppe-Day Quilting Bee logo.
When creating a quilt, typically a design is selected and agreed upon. Then the lead quilter cuts fabric and mails it to each of the quilters. We then sew our blocks & ship them back to the lead quilter to be assembled and quilted. This time we did something very different.
Black was the main color chosen for this quilt because David can typically be seen wearing all black. The snowball pattern, a classic quilting design, was chosen for the layout of the quilt. When viewed from afar, the snowballs resemble circles, but in reality, they are octagons. Each quilter was tasked with creating 1 or 2 snowballs for this particular quilt. We were mailed our fabric and we could choose to do whatever we wanted on it.
In our own way, this quilt put everyone of the quilters outside their comfort zone. It is so different from anything we have done before. To some it was an exciting challenge, to others it was overwhelming, but to everyone it was a time to try something new and push our boundaries. We have learned so many new techniques from each other along the way. With a lot of encouragement and support, we rose to the challenge, creating something unique and beautiful!
David Day's quilt was given to him on May 25, 2024 at a luncheon gathering of the Be-Hoppe-Day Quilting Bee.
A little background...
“David Day has been called many names: engineer, artist, historian, businessman, and architect. He is none of the above, while at the same time, all of the above and more. It is through his work that definitions disappear: a sheet of paper is transformed into a three dimensional sculpture, an urban parking lot becomes a surprising garden oasis, a city wall - a canvas on which to tell a visual story. This fifth generation Cincinnatian, from a long line of craftsmen, mechanics and artisans, has articulated a passion for this river city's history.”
-Thomas Lohre
David & his wife, Barbara's design influence can be found in many places throughout Cincinnati. They published a book called "Vanishing Cincinnati" which celebrates the rich history of our city with their amazing hand-drawn renderings. The drawings in this book were an inspiration for many of us. David & Barbara carry on this celebration with continuous interactive Cincinnati history via their Facebook pages.
David's Quilt
Humility Block
On the bottom right there is a black & white print totally different from everything. This is called the “humility block”. The humility block is an intentional mistake some quilters may use. As every quilter knows, one does not have to try to make a mistake. Lol The myth is associated to native Americans but mostly the Amish, though they take no claim. It is based on the belief that only the absolute (God) is perfect.
The Quilters & Their Squares
Studio 704
Purchased in 1990 by the Verdin family, the eight story Pendleton Art Center now houses more than 200 artists of various mediums. David Day Designer & Associates was located on the seventh floor in Studio 704.
Benzinger Hoppe Day Family Tree
I have always been interested in our family history and fascinated with genealogy. I picked this tree to represent the Benzinger, Hoppe, Day families as it has enough branches to cover the overlap between the three families.
I created it using a Cricut machine and infusible ink.
Cincinnati Reds
This has a personal connection for me. When David was doing the drawing of Crosley Field he would contact my dad for information on the field and its layout. His name was listed as a source in David’s book, "Vanishing Cincinnati".
My square is appliqued. I used infusible ink for the C shadow and Cricut iron on vinyl for the white C.
Cincinnati Skyline
I chose the Cincinnati skyline for my square for a few reasons. I know David is known for his drawings and art so I thought I would try to engage in that format. His love for Cincinnati has been apparent in his work and also where my mom grew up so I thought it would be fitting to highlight this skyline!
Family
I chose Family for my square because there is a part of all of our families, far and wide, stitched into each quilt.
Union terminal - left side
As a NYC Transit (trains and buses) retiree, I zeroed in on the drawings of the two sculptures adorning Union Terminal. Per David, “When is a train more than a train? When creative design blesses it with the power to inspire.” I can attest to this when I experience the elaborate mosaics and sculptures that glitter the subway system. It is inspiring and definitely makes the delayed train worth the wait.
Union terminal - right side
With David’s interest in trains, one of his earliest childhood drawings of Union Terminal is from 1939 with many other drawings of the train station to follow. There are large bas-relief sculptures that flank Union Terminal’s main entrance on either side. These squares depict
the female figure on the left side that symbolizes transportation and the male figure on the right side that symbolizes commerce.
Daniel Carter Beard Bridge
When we decided to do a Cincinnati themed quilt for David Day, I tried to think of something for my contribution to this that was a representation of Cincinnati as home to me. Bridges was the initial thought that I had as I see them as both a path and a connection spiritually and literally. I chose Daniel Carter Beard bridge for my square as I thought it was a fitting addition - Beard was an artist and illustrator. The bridge to me has always signified a sense of cheerfulness and light as it spans across the Ohio River. Although this is not a historical part of Cincinnati history, I feel like it will be in the future.
Anderson Ferry
This picture chose me. It’s one of my favorites. We’re on the Anderson Ferry which runs across the Ohio River to Kentucky. My family didn’t have a car, so it must have been an outing for pure enjoyment! I must be about 3, so David would be around fifteen. Picture taken c. 1950. I’m glad it chose me.
Over-the-Rhine Gateway Bell Tower
The Over-the-Rhine Gateway Bell Tower was designed by David & Barbara Day. The triangular brick tower houses 19 bells that represent the thousands of immigrant families of differing nationalities and religions that settled in Over-the Rhine.
With a nod to another Cincinnati icon, Jimmy Buffet, the hands on the clock in this square read 5 o’clock because “it’s 5 o’clock somewhere”.
Tangled
My square is an adaptation of tangle drawing. This type of drawing looks elaborate but anyone can do it if you can draw a line & a circle. I planned my fabric dye to the patterns I wanted to use. I’m used to using gouache or acrylic paint for my backgrounds. With the bleeding on the fabric, it was a challenge to get the colors to stay where I wanted. The patterns are embroidered in a way to make them appear to weave in and out of each other creating depth.
Hummingbird
I decided to paint a hummingbird using fabric paint because they are beautiful, remind me of sunny days & make me smile. Hopefully it will make David smile too.
“Legends say that hummingbirds float free of time, carrying our hopes for love, joy and celebration. The hummingbird’s delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere, every personal connection has meaning and that laughter is life’s sweetest creation.”
Findlay Market
Findlay Market, founded in 1852, is the only remaining market of the nine that once served Cincinnati. The market bell from Cincinnati's first market house, now hangs in Findlay Market's bell tower. David & Barbara Day designed the floor mosaic on the market’s bell tower floor which is depicted in my square.
Church of Our Savior
This photo was taken on Easter 1939 on the steps of The Church of Our Savior. Front row is Frank (he was a stinker). Next row is Jane & David (Jane’s parents were both obstetrics doctors and lived on the corner of Hollister & Auburn Ave in the big house. They used to go there to play hide & seek because there were plenty of places to hide). Third row is Evelyn (David thinks it's Evie. She did go to Church of Our Savior for a little while) & Donald. Top row is Peggy (her family used to drive a car to church. They had a lot of money in that day.), Barbara, and John Mark. Barbara later married David Day. So yes, Barb and Dave knew each other way back then.
David Absalom Day, Jr.
David name has both biblical background and is based on ancestry. King David's poetic talents shine through the Psalms he wrote. David Day's talents shine through the many ways he has shown his hometown of Cincinnati to be a beautiful place. David was named after his father and his great-grandfather to carry on the tradition of a strong family.
Vanishing Cincinnati
Vanishing Cincinnati, a book published in 2012 containing the work of Barbara & David Day, has now become an on-going and growing community of people interested deeply in the city's past and whole Greater Cincinnati area. Regular posts about places in Cincinnati can be found on the Facebook community Vanishing Cincy.
“My opinion, society tends to undervalue work typically performed by women. Quilting, working with fabric is one of the most undervalued except maybe by designer clothes. I believe quilting is more an art than a craft. It includes architectural features as well as design, color coordination, among other elements. Maybe because a quilt is seen as a tool, something to keep you warm that reduces its value. But I see it as an expression of uniting various objects, colors, prints, solids into one whole piece, a creation of many parts into one. You, Cindy, possess the experience and know-how to make it happen. Eh, we all have weaknesses, but more importantly we have strengths and yours are many. You are precise, you give your full attention to detail, you are resourceful, you are willing to share, fun to work with, respectful, to name a few. I have learned so much over the past few years, I am forever grateful. As for all of us, we all have a hand in this and bring something to the table. We put aside our differences and work toward a goal that we all share in common. As it should be.”
-Barb
“Thank you for the kind words about me. What you said about quilts is very true. They are very undervalued as I think a lot of handmade items are. People who don’t do handmade have no idea what all goes into doing something homemade.”
-Cindy
“So many true things here. Artists really do come in all forms and use many mediums and quilting is definitely one of them.”
-Ruth
“Everyone is an artist in their own way. It just may not be in the traditional way you think of. It’s actually something I talked about quite a bit lately. Sometimes, it’s our home, or how we cook (my grandmother, Gladys, was definitely an artist in the kitchen), or in how we live. God gave us a life to live & what we do with it makes it beautiful. While most people see me as creative, I am messy. I’m sitting here trying to sew these tiny pieces of the bell tower together. Trying to keep the lines straight is going to take a miracle. We all have things that aren’t easy for us but we are all artists in our own right.”
-Susan
Just sitting here….
Sewing…
listening to my playlist….
Oldies, newbies and everything in between…
tearing up at all the songs that meant (still do) so much to me…
the nostalgia…
tremendous emotions while working on my brother’s quilt….
-Ruth
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