Thursday, December 27, 2012

Canadian Pioneer

I started this quilt in 2008. 
First, I cut vertical strips from old blankets and then sewed them together. 
Then slashed a curve right through them.
Then mended that.
Then felted the whole in the washing machine.
It survived all these things.
Risk after risk.
"I do, I undo, I re do"  (Louise Bourgeois)
Made completely from wool.
Wool blankets, a woolen skirt,  wool fabrics, wool yarns
backed with wool, couched with wool
Finished in August 2012,
and named Canadian  Pioneer.

20 comments:

Jacky said...

i LOVE this....the colours, the textures. An amazing quilt and it's humble beginnings an old wool blanket.
I washed a couple of old blankets of grandma's last week and was wondering what I should do with them as I was folding them off the line. They have a few moth holes, and one a few stains. I was thinking of using them as batting...but what you have done is so much more exciting. So I am going to think on this a bit longer. Thank you for the inspiration. You are an amazing quilt artist!

Jacky xox

Minka said...

This is magnificent! The colors are rich. The design is handsome. The texture is playful. Thank you for the inspiration. I need to go find some wool!
Is this a heavy piece?
In the outdoor photo is looks to be the size of a tree! Did you felt it in your washing machine?
Wonderful risk taking!

Deb G said...

Love this! The colors, the texture, that it's wool and the risk involved. Thinking about how important risk is to learning.

Margaret said...

The others have already said it -- the colours and textures are wonderful! And then there is the encouragement for us to risk...

Stitching Lady said...

This is beautiful -- lovely colours and I guess the feel of it is so good.

blandina said...

I am looking and looking, my eyes are filled with his beauty so simple yet so complex, who said that fiber art is a minor kind of art?

Thread Born said...

Wow! What an amazing quilt. So much love and riskiness! I am especially in love with the colors and textures.--Julie

Judy Martin said...

Measurements are 48" wide, 65" high

It is just the right amount of heaviness. When I was stitching it on the day bed at the cottage, I would pull it over me and wham - straight to sleep.

A very useful piece of art.

xxoo thank you very much for your support of my work in this blog. It means a lot to me.

Cate Rose said...

A woolly beauty, that's for sure!

Marianne Hall said...

Stunning, Rich and Inspirational. Just Beautiful. And Brave.

Montse Llamas said...

How I would love to touch this surface!

Nina Marie said...

ohhh what a lovely piece - the texture looks amazing - want to just touch and touch it! I'd like to invite you to link up to my Off the Wall Fridays where fiber artists/quilters connect what they are doing creatively. We find it super motivating, educational and encouraging!

Morna Crites-Moore said...

I'm having an OMG moment, looking at this gorgeous piece. xo

mansuetude said...

I think i am in love

Heather said...

What a surprise. It looks timeless, like its been around forever and always will be. The archetypal blanket.

magicmoonmusings said...

I'm in awe. Wish I could see and touch this quilt in person, the texture looks incredible.

Magnificent.

wholly jeanne said...

a survivor cloth, wizened, useful, and made beautiful by her journey. i always look forward to seeing what you've been up to.

liniecat said...

An Pioneer Boro with a delightful back story lol What a joy to see!

bohemiannie! art said...

Incredible Judy. I don't comment often because of word verification...but had to tell you how totally stunning this quilt is.

jess said...

I found this by accident and now I can't take my eyes off it. SO beautiful. You've inspired me to do something hopefully wonderful with the wool I have sitting here. You've put a big smile on my face today.