Unplugged

'Her quilts are like a prayer...'  said about the work of Judy Martin

While randomly browsing the internet I came upon a write up about the work of Judy Martin, fiber artist extraordinaire (an article that I can no longer locate) and this is what the author said of her work. I immediately looked her up and she talks about slow contemplative and meditative quilting on her blog. I was intrigued by the concept and decided to give this a try. 

Using the reverse appliqué dot tutorial on her blog, I dived into my scrap bin and picked out some neutral and green pieces of fabric and got started. 

Humble beginnings....

I made a few blocks at first, things looked good so I continued making more. Then on a nineteen hour flight to Indonesia with my mom last February this was the perfect portable project to keep busy with. I finished with all appliqué pieces I had on hand and decided to start putting them together. I did not have a sewing machine handy so instead started to hand piece (excuse the poor lighting).

By the time I got back from the trip, I pretty much had all the pieces put together and the top measured about a yard. It was a great mother-daughter trip  and I think that made the project even more enjoyable.

Then to decide on the quilting. I had been doing a bit of 'Kantha' quilting lately so that seemed like an obvious choice.

Once again, little by little it grew. I thank everyone on Instagram for putting up with my progress pictures.

For the back I used this lovely print from Flea Market Fancy by Denyse Schmidt. After all that hand quilting, hand stitched binding was in order and soon - it was done.

I was thrilled with the outcome. Awesome texture and just so worth it. This was my prayer as brief as it may have been. 

Waited for a good sunny day and of course better pictures.

I decided to call this quilt 'Unplugged' akin to acoustic music. I did not use a sewing machine in the making of this quilt. Only implements used were a needle and a pair of scissors. Am amazed how the most primitive process can produce something with such a modern aesthetic...or that some looks are timeless. They never go out of style, always fresh and always current.