Last summer, I felt certain my Finestre MigrantiImmigration Windows quilt would be complete by October. In October, my expectation was surely complete it by the end of 2018. Ha! As winter 2019 begins to thaw, I’m still feverishly felting and stitching.
Background piecing for Finestre Migranti (Immigration Windows). My large square units weren’t a perfect fit – most likely due to my conversion from metric to English measurements.
Perhaps you read about my inspiration and thought process for my contribution to this international initiative. Although immigration and its ties to our food certainly focused my theme, the opportunities to express it swished and swirled until little lights sparked. This one quilt can’t do it all. There could be a series here.
Never had I written an artist statement before a quilt was complete. To meet the exhibition deadlines, choosing less than 75 words powered those lights. Suddenly, a path of color and texture appeared. I knew where to go next. Let this quilt brings a moment of reflection and gratitude for immigrant labor as we enjoy a meal.
A few of the wet felted pieces created for my cathedral windows quilt.
Annamaria was in Boston, and we enjoyed a trip to the New England Quilt Museum. It was wonderful to talk about possibilities, logistics on the way up and then jump into the wonderful world of fiber art and quilts.
The Finestre Migranti exhibit opens at Verona Tessile on April 25. Annamaria revived my desire to go… dare I?
Follow Immigration Windows on social media using #FinestreMigranti.
Play with wool, soap and water to create fabric that is sturdy, beautiful and useful. We’ll talk about several ways to create felt and see examples. Learn how your wool choice impact the final fabric.
Create your own wool fabric about the size of a placemat using wool, water and soap.
No tools necessary. The class fee includes wool and simple tools to create your own felt. Wear comfortable shoes, bring a full apron (waterproof is great) and clothes that don’t mind getting damp.
Class size limited to four people.
Have questions? Contact Alanna
Reserve your place by sending a check to Tactile Travel Fabric & Fiber, P.O. Box 761092 Melrose, MA 02176 or use the PayPal button below. Be sure to include your email address and/or phone number. Your payment is refundable up to three days before the class, provided that your spot is filled by someone off the waiting list.
Joined by Stitch had a lovely time chatting with friends old and new last night at the Andover Memorial Hall Library. Thank you to everyone who came out… and thank you to the folks at the Herb Farmacy for having a talk during the same time frame. There’s definitely cross interest between the herb and the fiber art worlds!
Sue Colozzi took photos of the exhibit earlier this month, but don’t settle for pictures! The exhibit is up through April 30. Meanwhile, here’s a little teaser of the small quilts. I feel lucky to hang around such vibrant fiber artists.
It’s up! My fiber art critique group has their first exhibit at the Andover Library through April 30, 2018.
Thanks to SAQA – MARI, Betsy Abbott gathered fellow members and friends together, creating what we now call “Joined by Stitch.” Seven fiber artists, each with their own perspectives and favorite techniques, meet monthly to share studio revelations and our journeys. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know Betsy, Sue Colozzi, Tarja Cockell, Janis Doucette, Anne Kimball and Madalene Axford Murphy.
We’re hosting a “Meet and Greet from 7 to 8 pm on Tuesday April 17 at the library. I’d love to see you there!
The March landscap in Massachusetts can be an acquired taste. Bare branches, squishy boggy mud and wide ranging weather possibilities make cozy pancake eating days in maple sugarhouses one of its main attractions. However, March 2018 is a magical time to discover Land and Nature Scapes in fiber art around Boston.
More than a dozen fiber artists share their work at The Gallery in Malden from March 1 to the 25. The reception is on Thursday March 8 15 (aforementioned wide ranging weather postponed the date) from 7 to 9pm. You’ll enjoy a wide range of imagery and messages inspired by the lines and color from around the world.
A newcomer on the Malden scene, The Gallery is a local maker’s gift shop, exhibit space and community space dedicated to the arts right in Malden Square. Its spirit and inclusion is boosted by the wonderful Ose Schwab, with the physical space supported by DSF Advisors. The Gallery reflects Malden’s diverse population, and I’m excited to see how it develops. Go Gallery, go!
Will I see you there? Hope so, but if not, perhaps you can make it to April’s meet and greet… more about that next time.
The March landscap in Massachusetts can be an acquired taste. Bare branches, squishy boggy mud and wide ranging weather possibilities make cozy pancake eating days in maple sugarhouses one of its 
