Floating

Fraser Smith's wooden quilts are carved from several large pieces of basswood that are glued together to form a large block. An average wooden quilt requires approximately three to six months to construct depending on the size and complexity of the pattern. Smith uses basswood which is similar to pine. Also known as the American Linden tree, basswood can be found principally from Quebec south to Delaware and from the Atlantic coast to eastern Kentucky. It is a consistent wood without stripes produced by dendric rings like those found in the pine tree. Basswood has some striping; however, it is not nearly as prominent. It is a fairly soft wood with straight grain that makes it easy to carve.

Commenting on his work, Fraser Smith remarks, "Essentially, I carve things that are 'keepsakes'; objects that we tend not to throw away; things that people in general will relate to on a personal level that connect us to events or people from our past; something that we save, even after it's too worn out to use. Our lives are full of interesting things that we don't necessarily pay much attention to. By making an effort to recreate these items from an unlikely medium and presenting them in an unusual location, it causes the viewer to pause and consider the object."