Fiber Friday 01.01.2021
#iQuilt2Heal | #BeTheChange
My life became a train wreck that went off the rails on Ash Wednesday 2020, February 26th. I received the Distribution of Ashes and Holy Communion which strengthened me to rescue what I could from being evicted from my home/studio. Just as I was getting on my feet financially from teaching in-person classes and workshops, Covid hit and lockdown started. As a diabetic indigenous person of color over 65 years old, Covid would be a possible death sentence for me. So avoiding infection is crucial for my survival. The drama of life in this pandemic brings me to the hardest suffering I’ve ever endured. I feel like I’m in a washing machine cycle splashing around in an out of control agitator struggling to hold onto steadfast faith. Jesus is my Savior and my friend! I pray I can be a witness for kindness, grace and mercy when dealing with the collective sorrows of the Covid Blues in the “Winter in America.”
Experiences of making clay tiles, and multiple units stimulates me to the geometry of HSTs as a design element in my new quilting explorations. Geometry provides me with a foundation of truth to balance all the political lies and misinformation running rampant in our great American society of discontent. The drama of it all is disconcerting! Enduring the pain of my own brokenness, I’m having to dig deep in order to heal myself. It’s just me and Jesus and time “waits for no one!” The new body of work I’m beginning is about The Blues as they related to Covid “Winter In America.” I’ll use fabric from my indigo dyed cloth stash, along with my clothes that were rescued from my eviction. I’ll cut up my clothes in a cutting corners improv style to make quilt blocks for HSTs. I’m using EQ8 to design my quilts, and the first design is the cover photo.
But first things first! Not being able to sew for a year, taught me many valuable life lessons. In order to heal my brokenness through quilting, I need to bring closure to my UFOs (unfinished objects) shown above. From my embroidery shawl to a quilt that needs quilting, and unfinished quilt pieces that never got completed. In addition I have projects for people who love and support me who never got past the design stage. I would not have been able to survive without help. So, along with designing new quilts, I have to finish my UFOs. By this time in 2022, my prayer is to be out of the UFO quilt business forever. I don’t want to die and leave behind what my Momma left. I want to have a no-drama crossing over. Today, I begin anew as I sojourn on my restored quilting journey. Join me as, “I Quilt 2 Heal!”
HST Quilt Block Design From Geometry
(HST=Half Square Triangle)
Fiber Art by Carola 