A Sparrow in the Rain


It's finally done - my favourite quilt that I've ever made, "A Sparrow in the Rain". 


When I first started quilting, this was the kind of quilt I one day hoped I'd make.  The quilts I dreamt of were monochormatic, textural, densely quilted. And I've finally made one!



The title of this quilt comes from a line in Stephen King's book "The Green Mile".  The protaganist is talking about another character, saying he was like "a sparrow in the rain" - but at the time I came across the line, I was going through a deep depression (in November 2009); and to me, the line uniquely summed up how I felt, and I wanted to translate it in fabric.

I have been interested in the art of crazy quilting and interpreting it in my own way for quite some time now, so I of course, included it in my meditation on mental illness.

As I constructed the four panels I thought about how mental illness affects us - what our brains feel like when we're blocking ourselves, looping, attempting to break out of boxes only to find ourselves in another, how we feel jagged, friable, lost.


And as I began to quilt my feelings, they dissipated.  And so I put "A Sparrow in the Rain" aside for a time.

This weekend, I decided that it was time to finish up my WIPs so I can begin to build on my vision quilts, and I discovered this one -  nearly done.  I brought it out and decided to finish it. 


 BSP cautioned me saying "Maybe you should wait until you're sad again so the rest of it feels the same.  It would be a shame to ruin it now". 


And though the outer edges do have a different feel to them than the rest of the quilt - I think it's appropriate that a quilt that is a meditation on depression should finish up with some hope.



The fabrics are silk paisely, Japanese cotton sateen, satin and silk.  The back is a single piece of silk taffetta.

I hope you like it!

Anonymous

12 comments:

  1. It's amazing. I love the meaning and interpretation of emotions. It is much more than a quilt!

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  2. Kit, it's so solemn and melancholy. The quilting is beautiful, and you've captured the meaning of this piece so well. I'm glad that you have finished it with hope!

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  3. I DO like it! I love it, actually. I want to gush about how beautiful it is but there is too much to say. I mostly love what is behind the quilt, the meaning of the quilt. You're so very talented and you work so very hard...this quilt is a beautiful way to express how far you've come, both in quilting and in life.

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  4. I'm blown away by this quilt! It's fabulous.
    I'm learning that sometimes we need to put things aside for awhile and then come back to them with 'fresh eyes' before we can finish.
    Coming back to it with renewed hope really makes the whole thing come together. Beautiful!!!

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  5. Hey Kit, Your quilting looks GREAT! You and Pinky are making beautiful music together! Well done! Have a greast week!

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  6. Very impress indeed! Congratulations!!

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  7. Hi! I found your blog via a Flickr group thread. I keep looking at these photos and saying "oh my gosh" as I notice new details... this is truly breathtaking! Using all those different quilting motifs was gutsy and really makes the quilt sing, and the subtle variation among the greys... beautiful.

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  8. Renzo Pella24.6.10

    absolutely lovely kit.

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  9. I cannot recall how I found your blog but its been saved in my faves for a few weeks. But it is this beautiful quilt, A Sparrow in the Rain, that compels me to comment for the first time! Its gorgeous, calming and mysterious...and I love the monochromatic greys! Where are you going to hang it or is it one you plan to submit to an exhibit or show? Keep a'hold of your quilted visions :)

    peace,

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  10. This is a truly stunning quilt! Lovely tention between the cool steely colour and soft organic stitching. Great work. The monochrome is working well for you, i hope you take on another.

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  11. breathtaking ........... just lovely

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