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.
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!
Amazing piece of art! I love works with hidden meanings.
You already know how much I love this quilt. Now I stand in awe of the creative process and your beautiful prose.
i’m amazed…and so very proud. xxx, mom
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.
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!
Awesome quilt – thanks for sharing the whole story and whole quilt. Gotta check it out in person some day.
That’s a very beautiful blanket. Congrats on it 🙂
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!
Great take on the topic! Your quilt and your art are just beautiful!!
c-
Fabulous artwork! You are so talented!
Oh my, that is a beautiful story and an amazing quilt. It should be a childrens book.
Wow. Wow. Thank you! And Mary, I think you’ve opened up a new door for me. Thank you.
i love it too – great colours and interesting shapes –
wow– gorgeous, gorgeous work! so gorgeous. love it.
What a beautiful design. I think traditional quilters forget how gorgeous circles look!
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!