I have begun a new work inspired by a piece my grandmother created many years ago. I have no idea when she actually created it, though by the materials she used, one could guess that it would have been in the early 20th century. I never knew my grandfather, but it’s clear that he enjoyed a fine cigar. The ones that he was buying were wrapped in silk bands marked with the maker and some, with the price of 5 cents.
Legend has it that Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia from 1762 – 1796, enjoyed a fine cigar and, in order to protect her fingers from staining, she wrapped them in a silk handkerchief while smoking them. Regardless of the validity of that legend, I have proof that the practice of wrapping cigars in silk bands continued into the 20th century. And grandmother, being the frugal woman that she was, used them to create a fabric piece that suggests a simple log cabin quilt block. Click on image for a larger view.
The bands were trimmed, butted together and hand stitched to a fabric background using pearl cotton thread. The piece measures approximately 18” x 25”. The decided curve or bulge on one long side has presented a challenge for me since I tend to want lines that are straight and crisp. I am using the piece regardless and chalking up my improvising with it as a good learning experience.
I have chosen a print of two catalpa leaves to pair with grandmother’s work. I eco-printed these leaves two summers ago. Here is the print with initial thread painting done and being blocked.
When my husband saw the leaves on my design wall he asked me where I had gotten tobacco leaves for the print. I explained that I hadn’t, that they were actually catalpa leaves. That prompted a look on line at tobacco leaves. I have to admit that I understand his mistaking the identity of the leaves! Here’s an image by VectorStock.com/6393762
I find my selection of a leaf that can be mistaken as tobacco rather amusing since the feature of this work is cigar bands!
Here is the layout I have decided upon.
Several issues have created challenges for me. First, the delicacy of the bands: the hand stitching — an elongated feather stitch — allows for shifting of the bands during handling and the thickness of the pearl cotton might allow my machine’s foot to become caught in the stitches, possibly tearing the piece. To address these two concerns I have covered the entire piece with a pale cream-colored tulle. Second, how should this piece be quilted? I want the focus to be on the cigar bands, not a quilting pattern; further, I don’t want to obscure the hand stitching or the printed designs any more than absolutely necessary. To address those ideas I have chosen to use a neutral-colored 100-weight silk thread to quilt the entire piece. I’ve used this weight silk thread a number of times before on other pieces. I love the way the thread seems to melt into the fabric it binds, leaving little to distract the eye. A simple straight stitch across the bands will be perfect to secure it and echo the bands themselves.
During the process of quilting the bands I realized that I may run out of thread before completing the quilting on the rest of the piece. Not wanting to risk a color-match issue with new thread, I stopped quilting and began looking for a replacement spool in Portland. I can find 200-meter spools but not the 1000-meter spool that I use. I went on line to the YLI site and even they do not show a 1000-meter spool for purchase. So I called them and ordered a spool. I was told it would be mailed next week. As soon as it arrives, I’ll be back to work.
The title of this work will be Catalpa and Cigar Bands – Collaboration with Grandma II. My first collaboration piece with her was Forget Me Not – Collaboration with Grandma and can be seen here. Postings about the construction of that piece can be seen here, here, here and here.
Stay tuned!
This is magnificent Franki. I love it. She definitely passed those creative artistic genes on down to you. She would love this. Thanks for sharing it.
Thank you so much Kay. I’ve regretted that my grandmother didn’t live long enough to see me come into my own in this medium. I do think that she would be thrilled with what I’ve done with her work. And I am thrilled to share.
This is exquisite. I so appreciate your delicate hand on the work of your Grandmother. What a treasure her work is and I love the story behind this. It will be a great piece!
Thank you Jenny. I feel so lucky to have some of her work and I enjoy sharing it with others.
What a wonderful treasure. If anyone can finish it beautifully it is you.
Hey Ann, thanks so much!
I love it! I know you have long considered how to best honor Grandma. This looks to be as exquisite as the first piece. You go girl!
Thank you Carol. Yes, I’ve had this piece for quite a while now. I’m glad I waited to work with it. Interesting, the number of challenges this kind of work presents. And you know about that too!
I love this multigenerational document of family history and I’m so glad the female perspective continues to gain recognition. I consider feminine needlework of yesteryear to be similar to a legal document because back then, written documentation was usually only afforded to men. This is a wonderfully well-written, historically complex work of art.
Thank you for stopping by, Lynn, and especially for taking the time to comment on this post. I wish I had many more pieces of my grandmother’s work but I’m getting down to just scraps at this point. I have thought about this particular piece for many years. I think she would be very happy to see how I have shared her creative spirit.
Very nice, Franki!
Thank you, thank you!
Another very special work, Franki!! I love this! And I appreciate your sharing of challenges and solutions! So glad you were able to find the right thread. Can’t wait to see the completed piece.
Thank you Gay. Every piece has its challenges — some technical, some artistic — that’s what takes the time. I’ve learned from other artists so it’s only natural that I share my solutions. I’ll be watching the mail for my thread delivery and will share progress as soon as possible.
Your grandmother’s embroidery is exquisite and you have certainly paid tribute to her with your beautiful work.
Thank you Martha. I am thrilled to bring her work back to life.
Glad it is coming together – and beautifully!
Thank you Toni.
That’s so cool!
Thanks Kris! I am having such fun with this piece. I think my grandma is smiling.