The silk thread from YLI arrived quickly. I must say I was impressed with the customer service I received on my small order of one spool! So I was ready to get back to quilting. Unfortunately, my plans were rearranged for me so it was a while before I could return to quilting. Here it is quilted and blocked:
The next big challenge was trimming this piece so that it looked level horizontally, in spite of the fact that the strips of fabric, both in the bottom section of the quilt and the portion of cigar bands, were not straight strips. I did a lot of measuring and finally compromised on a cut that gave the appearance of level horizontal strata. Then there was the issue of trimming the vertical sides. You can see in the photo above that I had already ‘eyeballed’ the right side for trimming and added a portion of a cigar band (Grandmother had one extra cigar band on one side. I removed it so that the number of bands were even.) to allow for a straight cut. When I was stitching on the binding, I had to stop and add another inch of orange cigar band to fill the gap that would have been left between the cigar band and the binding. Thank goodness for that one extra band! And here it is finished.
And a few details:
I really like the smallest cigar bands in the center. They are 1/2″ wide and read: None Better Made Brevas. The rest of the bands are 3/4″ wide.
I think the above photograph more clearly shows the tulle that protects the cigar bands and the feather stitching of pearl cotton thread. I like the fact that one has to get very close to notice it.
I chose the bubbles in various sizes for quilting around the catalpa leaves because that design echoes the circles around the 5 cent advertisement on the cigar bands, as well as the circles in a few of the fabrics I used in the lower third of the piece. And the striped binding fabric picks up on the black lettering of the cigar bands and the golden tones that dominate the colors of the piece. This work measures 45″ x 25″.
You can read about the beginning of this work here.
Grandmother’s 20th century cigar bands have met my 21st century eco-printing and are finally out of the cupboard. I am going to thoroughly enjoy their new life and I think she would as well.
It is beautiful. Did you post somewhere how you did the eco printing? Love the colors you used. Such a special piece. I made one of/with the papers and photos my mother had from coming to this country. I printed them on the computer and it worked out. I have it in my stack of quilts that lay flat and one of these day, when we settle again, will maybe put it on the wall. Colors so perfect. Love it!
watching the Maria Kondo series on Netflicks, interesting way to approach down sizing. And at least I had started the way she suggests, but she refined it better. Looking forward to seeing if she approaches and quilters and the mentality of “fabric. someday I will make”.
I had to laugh at the pile of clothes some people have. Living in the mountains we go from season, and purpose. Not desire or dress up. So was amazed at some of the people collection of clothes. Not even when I worked, had I collected so many. But most of the time I was on the road, or I worked in a med. Office and wore white. always the practical. Stay warm.. rain again here. 3 day quilt camp starts Thurs. and hope there will not be any snow! just day camping.locally.
Thank you Vivian! Yes, I published many posts about the eco dyeing/printing class that I took. You can click on the eye-glass icon on the blog page (top right corner) and type in ‘eco printing’ or ‘botanical printing’ and see all those posts.
Good luck with your downsizing. It’s quite a big, worthwhile project.
once again- Gorgeous on all levels!
love the bubble quilting
Thanks Toni. I like the bubbles too. It was very meditative stitching.
Stunning Franki. I love your work.
Thank you Kay.
Wow! What a fantastic quilt on so many levels! The history, family connection, plant dyeing that connects us with the past, this is a rich piece. I am happy that I had the chance to be a witness to some stages of this. Bravo! and thanks!
And the catalpa print is a connection with you! I was unfamiliar with the plant until we met at the eco dyeing/printing class and you brought leaves from your garden to share. I would love to do more printing with the catalpa.
Yet another beautiful quilt incorporating a part of family history. Love it.
Thank you Gurli. This is the last large piece I have of grandmother’s work.
Lovely use of special and unique elements! Well done, Franki.
Thank you, Sue. I imagine that my experience with this piece is similar to the challenges you’ve encountered when incorporating family textiles with your work.
Franki, this turned out so wonderful!! I am sure your grandmother would be over the moon!!
Thank you Gay. I do think she would feel honored and glad that I’m making some use of her work.
This is divine – so interesting, unique and full of detail.
Thanks Jenny. I even like the fact that a couple of the bands were stitched down with the wrong side up. Oopsy! Who cares!?
The featherstitching adds a lovely texture.
I agree Aileyn. My eye always goes straight to those stitches. And even with minimal quilting on the cigar band portion of the quilt, that texture holds its own next to the dense quilting that I put into the other two sections.
Another stunner, Franki! This one checks all the boxes!!
Thanks so much Sherry. Very sweet comment. Loves getting those boxes checked!