Death the Divider, Grave Rubbing Series

(Above: Death the Divider, Grave Rubbing Quilt Series. Crayon on fabric. Hand and free-motion machine embroidery. Vintage pillowcase with crochet and severely light damaged materil. Vintage buttons. 38 1/2" x 19 1/2". Detail below. Click on images to enlarge.)

This piece was mostly stitched in Minnesota. I returned to finish the free-motion work, add the buttons, and create the unique back from vintage linens. I'm particularly happy about the new "sleeve". Until the workshop at the University of Minnesota, I didn't realize that the sleeve needed to incorporate "space" for the hanging rod. (This seems pretty obvious now....but I just didn't "get it"....probably because I don't actually hang all this on my own walls.)

(Above: Death the Divider, reverse. Click on image to enlarge.)

Now I'm busy correcting this on the other quilts.....including Never Accurate But Never Dull....which was just accepted by juror Glen Kaufman, for inclusion in "Fiber Artistry - Journey of the Imagination" at the Jacqueline Casey Hudgens Center for the Arts in Duluth, GA. Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend the opening but this exhibit is close enough to actually SEE in person at a later date! I'm so excited!

(Above and below: Details of Death the Divider. Click on images to enlarge. Obviously, I remain under the kantha stitch spell. This piece is really "thick". I use recycled black felt from a kayak shop for the center. Most stitches were done a "poke at a time"....but, even so it was very mediative. Also, this was the first grave rubbing quilt that I didn't free motion around the individual letters. The words came from Birmingham, UK (I think?) and the floral pattern came from Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, VA. Meanwhile, I've found a "rhythm" for free motion stitching the collected epitaphs on sheer chiffon. Images coming later!