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By AnneStuart
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16 July 2007 |
I have lived in the States for many years . I worked in an adult education programme and had the privilege of taking classes in many different areas. It was following a divorce after 33 years of marriage so a lot of the classes were to find out about a single me. I have missed having my pieces critiqued and would appreciate any comments. Something that works or didn't.
In the States this would have been called creative non-fiction so if I am not in the correct category I would appreciate being directed to the right place.
Thank you for giving your time to my scribbles.
Inscription from a bench in Berkley Square.
“Young Lovers seek perfection.
Old lovers learn the art of sewing shreds together,
And of seeing beauty in a multiplicity of patches. “
PRC to LMC - 1996
I had just finished a listening council class and planned to embroider a friendship quilt. Squares to remember each member and what they had meant to me.
I had a piece of fabric that would be great for the backing. It was sparkling white and I knew that it would only need the complimentary color to make this a work of art. I could already see the lines of stitching that would vine across the pieces.
A new store would have the material that I could use. I was looking for blue. Neat and tidy, blue and white, white and blue, then many shades of blue embroidery would join the two together. The selection was too vast, with designs that jangled the nerves, colours so bright that hurt my eyes. Fabric so soft and transparent it looked too fragile to be sewn; black squares too harsh for a quilt. I knew what I needed, the exact color that would complete the picture. Why wasn’t this working? Why was I feeling as though I was in a dream where the bolts of fabric that I needed were hiding from me? I stopped, slowed down, looked again at each piece. The jangle of colors grew to jewel-like clearness, at first too glaring now they were sparkling. The piece so soft and fragile was of strongest silk that shimmered in the light. The solid black piece was made of the softest wool. In council I had learned to listen to one voice at a time, now I was giving the same consideration to the fabric.
My perfect white fabric lay on the table and now all over the surface were pools of color. Time to rework this project from the neat and safe solution. Here is a square as creamy rich as fresh pound cake that would nestle an embroidered sand dollar’s ghostly white. The crisp green of springtime freshness would show off the coppery fingers of pine needles. The midnight blue piece would jump alive with a showers of stars. The peach triangle would surround green feline eyes. The rust color a backing for dusty olive sagebrush. A feather would arch across the grey silk. Turning each piece to watch the connections reveal themselves I sewed them together.
What a privilege to know the special people who offered their wisdom to help me change my life and inspired me to create a embracing and warming quilt.
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Written by Phil (6959 comments posted) 16th July 2007 | Hi Anne, welcome to GW.
I liked the analogy of people/fabric - listening to 'one voice' at a time. Something I must learn to do!
I guess this is a kind of tribute to your friends, and as such it works well. I'd have been tempted to put the inscription at the top of the piece - but that's just personal taste.
For me the first paragraph could do with breaking up a little. Reading largish chunks on screen can send you cross-eyed - also I think it would make your intentions a little clearer.
Phil. |
Written by AnneStuart (11 comments posted) 16th July 2007 | Thank you Phil, I like your suggestions.
Whew, that wasn't so scary after all.  |
Written by Jacquie (13 comments posted) 16th July 2007 | Hello Anne. I'm pretty new here too. Have to say, I enjoyed your piece which I thought contained excellent descriptive passages (if I'm any judge) although I can't comment on the "duty olive sagebrush," as I've never seen it - but I feel I can picture it in my mind's eye.
Look forward to seeing more things from you soon.
'Bye for now
Jacquie | My friendship quilt
Written by mrsbumble (6 comments posted) 28th July 2007 | I love what this quilt, and it's story represent. It is a very open and honest piece, and so colourful.
I am very new here, and only comment from my instincts, and my instinct with this would be to read more of the same. |
Written by Fledermaus (3484 comments posted) 28th July 2007 | | Ah! I had to read some of the comments of the others before I understood what this was about, but now that I do, I think it's wonderful! What a metaphor. | Hi Anne
Written by jean.day (2364 comments posted) 30th December 2007 | I read this with great anticipation - coming from a family that loves making patchwork quilts. And although you described your quilt and the colours and threads that made it what it was, what I would have liked was to read about which of your friends inspired you to contribute which piece and why. It would have made it more personal.
I am curious about the phrase "Listening council class". Where but in America would you have a group like that? I am not being critical - as I am also an American - but have lived in England for 40 years now. My working background was in adult education - so we have a connection from that point of view too. What part of the States do you live in now? | Jean Day
Written by AnneStuart (11 comments posted) 31st December 2007 | Hi Jean,
Listening council is a circle of people who take turns to listen - without interruption - and have the privilege of speaking the same way. It is amazing what can develop. Soulcraft by Plotkin was one of the books we used.
I lived in North Carolina and Georgia, also north of Toronto in Canada. I am now back home in England.
I appreciate the comments about the people involved and I agree I should expand the piece in that way.
Thank you for the comments. |
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