I pride myself in finishing almost everything I start, especially if the initial work was done as a demonstration during a workshop. Yet occasionally, I forget about a piece ... like this grave rubbing which was done this past summer when conducting "Second Life" at QSDS (Quilt and Surface Design Symposium) in Columbus, Ohio. My entire workshop went on a quick field trip to Franklinton Cemetery. It was the closest public burial grounds to the Columbus College of Art and Design.
Franklinton Cemetery is the the oldest in central Ohio, was largely abandoned in the 1870s, and has been a historical site since May 1964. There are very few stones left, and those that are there were mostly replacements for older markers. The angel motif came from one of these new stones. Several older, broken pieces were leaning up against a memorial obelisk. One included the epitaph ... minus the "L" and the "B" that had been the initial letters in the first two lines. The 1798 date was quite legible on another broken shard. The 1898 was not as legible and was probably 1828 ... but still looked like it belonged to some, anonymous person who might have lived one hundred years.
Everyone in the workshop made a few crayon grave rubbings. I used the one I made to show how free-motion stitching around the letters and motifs makes the rubbing quite legible ... and how to "draw" the letters that weren't there!
At QSDS the studio space is open 24/7. I finished all the machine stitching in Columbus but never returned to finish the hand stitched background that I started. Perhaps this was because I started with a very thin thread and knew I'd need about a million seed stitches to complete the task. With the end of the year looming, I knew I wanted to finally finish this piece. I can't continue to claim "finishing" if I don't actually DO IT!
Perhaps, however, this piece was waiting for something special. Perhaps it was waiting for two, delicate lace pieces to be donated to my stash by Ann Scott. I have always used vintage and antique textiles to create unique backs and rod sleeves for my grave rubbing art quilts. This one included a green-and-white card table sized cloth, two floral appliqued doilies, and the two pieces of lace. Thank you, Ann!
I have always been fascinated with graveyards. You bringing them into the art quilt and mixed media world is a real treat. So happy you found a use for pieces I sent.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you use for the rubbing? Traditional headstone rubbing wax? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteTo Duchess Froufrou!
ReplyDeleteI use the side of an ordinary crayon. Crayola Chunkies are my favorite because they are thicker. It only takes about one pass of the crayon over the fabric. Once in place, I iron the rubbing which dissipates the excess wax of the crayon ... leaving only the pigment stained into the fabric. It's quick, fun, and easy to do!
Ho there. I just left a comment on another post, but came back to this one. When you oron onto the crayon, does it not melt everywhere and ruin the iron?
ReplyDeleteHello Rockhill Reader! I hope you've clicked the "email follow-up" button so that you receive this message (because your Blogger profile isn't linked to an actually email address! If it had, I would be responded directly!) Anyway, Franklinton Cemetery was the very last Grave Rubbing Art Quilt I made after a very long series. When I was actively visiting cemeteries and making these art quilts (and lots of other, related work!), I posted each one on a blog specifically for them. It is here: https://graverubbingquilts.blogspot.com/ You might like seeing the many pieces, including one that was part of Quilt National 2013 and an early piece that was part of Art Quilt Elements back in 2010. I did not, however, make any of these pieces with the intention of entering them into juried exhibits. That was just following up on various opportunities. Instead, my focus was in the creation of a large scale installation that I called "LAST WORDS". I've been lucky enough to have mounted this installation in several places over quite a few years. One of these shows is blogged here: http://artbysusanlenz.blogspot.com/2014/06/last-words-at-tapps-art-center.html Another is on this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIDRW0mD7D4 There are several other blog posts and at least one other video. I tell you all this because I'm under the impression that anyone asking about "how to make a crayon rubbing" is probably interested in cemeteries, lasting words, etc. Now, to answer your question! I generally hover my iron above the crayon rubbing for a few seconds ... especially if I made the rubbing on a particularly hot day which left a thicker amount of crayon on the fabric. Otherwise, I've used an ordinary piece of blank typing paper to cover the rubbing for the first pass of the iron. Basically, once the excess wax from the crayon is dissipated, the pigments remain ... staining the fabric. There is no change in the hand of the fabric after it is successfully ironed. When I've made a grave rubbing on a rather chilly day, I generally don't even have to hover. Smearing only seems to happen when there's a thicker amount of crayon/wax. Now for a few tips! Silk works wonderfully. Silk seems to almost "grab the marker". One can almost "see" the letters due to the impression through the fabric. Otherwise, most any smooth fabric will work. Crayola crayons seem to have more pigment than other brands. The chubby/fat crayons work best! I peel off the paper and use the side of the crayon. Generally, one pass works well. Some people complain that rubbings damage the grave markers. Truly, using paper and a pencil does slowly erode them but the single pass over soft fabric is hardly a culprit! Good luck with your intentions for art! Susan
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