Cherrywood Fabrics owner Karla OverlandPast challenges have resulted in exhibits dedicated to Impressionist artist Vincent Van Gogh, pop culture artist Bob Ross, and musician Prince. They’ve also featured the musicals Wicked and The Lion King. This year, the Challenge—with support from Mistyfuse—celebrates the life, style, work, and cultural resonance of Diana, Princess of Wales.

 

“Those who longed for exotic travel, high fashion, and celebrity encounters watched her jet-set life and trendy wardrobe in admiration,” an introduction to the companion book notes. “But her legacy is more than showing us what you can acquire—it’s about using your inner fire and strength to lift others when possible."

Diana was just 36 when she died in a car accident while in a vehicle fleeing the paparazzi photographers, who were an incessant part of her life. By then, she had become one of the most popular royals not only in her native England, but around the world. Even after her divorce from Prince Charles.

Cherrywood Fabrics owner Karla Overland (who curated the Challenge while Donna Anderson organized it) recently spoke with Friends@Festival about the Challenge and exhibit, as well as the legacy of Diana. Some answers have been edited for length.

​We Miss You by Amberlee BerryPink with Passion by Carolyn CrumpOnce Upon a Time by Julie LaneFierce by Laurie LileModern Princess in a Medieval Court by Annette McCuskerDiana Inner Beauty by Kathy NausleySnapshots of Diana, the People’s Princess
by Jerri PenneyPrincess Diana, Queen in People’s Heart
by Elizabeth SchanabelQueen of the People’s Heart by Denise VokounDiana—The Gentle Princess by Julie Wells1 - 10<>

Friends@Festival: How was Diana chosen as the subject of the latest Challenge?

Overland: Looking for a subject matter that would be associated with pink, I consulted my running list of ideas. I knew that the anniversary of Diana's death was coming up, and I had also noticed an uptick in articles, documentaries, and social media about the late princess.

Diana had such a huge global impact, even before her tragic death, and I knew this topic would appeal to a great many people. Everyone remembers where they were when they heard Princess Diana had died, and we all seem to have a personal connection to her.

 

Friends@Festival: How were the Challenge fabrics picked out?

Overland: I found an article that said Diana's favorite color was pink. That may disputed, but I also did a web search for images of her wearing pink, and came up with quite a few images of Diana in various shades of pink. It was also timely that I was introducing white to my line of Cherrywood Fabrics.

 

Friends@Festival: Why does Diana hold such a big place in pop culture and the news even today?

Overland: Diana's story has such highlights and such low points that I think we can all relate to her as a person, rather than just royalty on display. Yes, she lived a life that only a few people in the world understand, but we now realize that being a princess isn't all that it's cracked up to be.

There have been countless books written about Diana and more and more documentaries. It holds our attention. We are fascinated with the drama of a world we will never live in. We see her face in her sons and grandchildren, and empathize with their tragic loss.

 

Friends@Festival: What surprised you most about this year’s entries?

Overland: We decided to postpone the entire schedule of The Diana Challenge because of the state of the world. The original due date was July 2020. Even though many quilters found more time on their hands during shut-downs and quarantine, there were also many who were working harder than ever.

We got many heartfelt thank you notes from nurses and frontline workers who were overwhelmed and really needed this distraction for their sanity. They were grateful for the extra time, and honestly, so were we.

Cherrywood has a small staff, and we had to juggle and pivot just like everyone else. It was a pleasant surprise to get as many entries as we did in the midst of the pandemic. The change in schedule also means this beautifully-quilted memorial will be traveling during the 25th anniversary year of her death.

 

Friends@Festival: To me, this exhibit’s topics (Bob Ross, Prince, etc.) really reach out to a non-quilting audience as well. Tell me about how it plays a part as almost an ambassadorship of quilting to the outside world.

Overland: I choose themes that not only can be interpreted into fiber art, but appeal to a larger audience. I really enjoy the "cross-over" I see with these exhibits. It is showing the non-quilting world just what can be done with fabric and thread.

We experienced many non-quilting Prince fans that paid the price of admission just to see the tribute to their favorite musician. People are drawn to the subject matter, but then can't help but be educated about fabric and quilting. They can't believe these works of art are made with needle and thread, rather than paint and canvas.

I love the reactions when they realize that their perception of "quilters" may not have kept up with the times. I purposely look for venues that treat The Cherrywood Challenge as an art exhibit. We are thrilled to announce The Bob Ross Exhibit will be on display at The Bob Ross Experience in Muncie, Indiana during the entire summer of 2022! You can visit the building where The Joy of Painting was filmed and stand in the very spot where Bob painted those happy little trees.

 

Friends@Festival: Any other comments?

Overland: The jurors of The Cherrywood Challenge were Lisa Ellis, Cyndi Zachies, and Nathania Apple. They put in many hours, sifting through all the entries. They are given a target number of quilts that can be excepted, and narrow it down until they are satisfied with the entire collection. This is not an easy task, and I appreciate them so much.

Being quilters themselves, they can study the techniques and workmanship, but they also consider design elements, composition, balance, visual impact, emotional impact, etc. when making their decisions. The Cherrywood Challenge was designed to open peoples’ minds by limiting the factors going into the process. This may seem like an oxymoron, but when your creative brain doesn't have to make decisions about color, size and theme, it is free to move forward in ways we never imagined...until we try.

 

A 214-page photo book of The Diana Cherrywood Challenge is available for sale in the Cherrywood booth at Festival or on their website at www.cherrywoodfabrics.com A poster of all 200 quilts will be available, as well as collector pendants and earrings.