Mandala CCXLV

(Above:  Mandala CCXLV. Custom framed: 31 1/2" x 31 1/2".  Found objects hand-stitched to a collection of antique quilt blocks. Objects include:  A glass floral frog with ten, round, bright orange buttons; eight, brown oar-shaped drink swizzlers; laminated Air Mail stamps; antique cardboard yogurt lids; peach colored plastic lids; dominoes; copper soda can pulls; white fur coat closure frogs; beer caps; keys; hinges; snowflake shaped Christmas lights; miniature toy airplanes; decorative orange wires for scrapbooking; electric meter tags; assorted buttons and beads.  Click on any image to enlarge.)

This mandala started after receiving an envelop from California.  A friend-of-a-friend sent a collection of antique quilt blocks.  Most were threadbare but the hand-stitching was amazingly tiny and tight.  Whoever started this project knew how to masterfully piece scraps of fabric together.  It was my job to figure out what to do with them.

 

(Above:  The blocks laying on my studio/sanctuary floor.)

I lay them out on my studio/sanctuary floor and just stared.  It seemed that they had once been stitched to some sort of sashing. Perhaps they were once part of a proper quilt top.  Perhaps not!  Oh the stories some of my materials could tell!  Yet, it is up to me to finish that tale!

 

(Above:  The two squares I created from the collection of blocks)

I played with the blocks until I liked the arrangements for two, nice squares.  Then, I just zigzag stitched them together ... flat ... no seam allowance, just "together".  Some of the extra blocks were cut to fill in missing patches.  Otherwise, I just left the threadbare areas as they were.  After all, I knew that I would cover the entire surface with bridal tulle/netting to protect these fragile places.  A piece of a damask tablecloth was stapled to a stretcher bar.  On top went some cotton batting that I got from an auction.  On top of that came the quilt square.  On top of that went the bridal tulle/netting.  I spent three or day evenings quilting these layers together.

 

(Above:  Detail of Mandala CCXLV.)

Finally, I was ready to attach my objects.  I designed the middle ... out to the row of beer bottle caps.  Then, I added the other rings.  Last of all, I selected items for the corners.  I think this piece turned out very, very well.  Happily, I have another square of zigzagged-together blocks for another mandala.  I'm already thinking about how it will be entirely different from this one!