March 11, 2006
Studio Friday: Eyes, and Chas' Birth Quilt
When Chas was somersaulting in utero, around seven months, I began to stew up a birth quilt for him. At the time, Ford had checked out a book from the library that I found terribly inspiring, Ducklings and Pollywogs by Lizzy Rockwell. The guache and watercolor illustrations were flat but the compositions rich in detail, and I'd find myself oggling the pages when I was on the phone, or sipping coffee. It was the theme that most intrigued me: paying reverence to a small pond throughout the year, noticing small changes, seasons. So I chose to use a pond theme for the quilt. One afternoon I tore the colors I loved out of old magazines, and after I had a collection, began to assemble them on a page in my sketchbook. After the arrangement seemed right, I picked up a glitter pen and made droplets fall upon the water, adding rings of vibrations through the pond, as if I was looking into the water during a rain. For more interest, I started drawing black eyes of frogs. I cut them out and pasted them onto the paper (I had made about twelve little compositions). After that, I was in love.
Of course, after selecting fabrics and playing with applique, I chose a composition based less on cryptic eyeballs peeking out of the water and more on the idea of lilypads, or pods, on the water. Something more evocative of how I felt as I sewed: healthy, whole, very pregnant.
I handpainted the watery background, staining the kitchen floor with aqua splatters. Scraps of pond colors littered the hallway floor, beneath the table where I worked. Natural specimens lined the window above my sewing machine: reeds, willow blossoms, seed pods and empty chrysalises. With my machine, I sewed ripples in the water fabric with gossamer thread, sandwiching soft layers and different textures of cotton. I tied the quilt with different shades of green, like the aquatic plants that slide between my toes when I wade.
Chas noticed the circles one day, very young, and smiled, running his finger along the seam of a circle. I was so pleased.
And I like the way it turned out, myself.
Posted by Steph at March 11, 2006 10:02 AM
Comments
WOW! That is the most beautiful story AND blanket! I love how you worked through the creative process. I am a HUGE fan of the circle. I love this blanket! Wonderful!
loves!
Posted by: stephanie miear at March 10, 2006 10:28 PM
Amazing piece of art! I love works with hidden meanings.
Posted by: kristin at March 11, 2006 02:10 AM
You already know how much I love this quilt. Now I stand in awe of the creative process and your beautiful prose.
Posted by: M.E. Quarles at March 11, 2006 02:54 AM
i'm amazed...and so very proud. xxx, mom
Posted by: carollyn hall at March 11, 2006 04:01 AM
Oh my god--it's SO SO beautiful. I wish that I could quilt. It's one thing I've always dreamed of doing, but like knitting I'm destined to suck at.
Really--it is one of the most beautiful quilts I've ever seen.
Posted by: christina at March 11, 2006 04:16 AM
Your story warmed my heart, perhaps not as much as much as your b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l quilt warms your son, but very warm none-the-less. (your comment from your mom added to the much warmth, too).
Cheers!
Posted by: WillowGrace at March 11, 2006 06:08 AM
Awesome quilt - thanks for sharing the whole story and whole quilt. Gotta check it out in person some day.
Posted by: Amy at March 12, 2006 01:41 PM
That's a very beautiful blanket. Congrats on it :-)
Posted by: Liselotte at March 12, 2006 03:25 PM
Really really really wonderful. A truly original and artistic creation and such a wonderful outcome. I want to lie down on it and imagine myself in the pond...I am IN LOVE with this quilt!
Posted by: sooz at March 12, 2006 09:45 PM
Great take on the topic! Your quilt and your art are just beautiful!!
c-
Posted by: christine at March 13, 2006 03:51 PM
Fabulous artwork! You are so talented!
Posted by: Elizabeth at March 13, 2006 06:51 PM
Oh my, that is a beautiful story and an amazing quilt. It should be a childrens book.
Posted by: mary at March 13, 2006 07:54 PM
Wow. Wow. Thank you! And Mary, I think you've opened up a new door for me. Thank you.
Posted by: steph at March 13, 2006 08:49 PM
i love it too - great colours and interesting shapes -
Posted by: kathreen at March 16, 2006 06:50 AM
wow-- gorgeous, gorgeous work! so gorgeous. love it.
Posted by: andrea at March 31, 2006 08:39 AM
What a beautiful design. I think traditional quilters forget how gorgeous circles look!
Posted by: Charmaine at April 4, 2006 10:19 PM
You know, it's been four months since I read this post and set eyes on this quilt... and I still come back just to visit it again? The colors and pattern are so calming.
Thank you!
Posted by: Krista at July 12, 2006 10:06 PM