In New Zealand Lock down 4 started on the 26th March and finished on the 28th April 2020. This meant we were all required to stay at home, only go out for essential items and services. It worked for us and we were happy the government undertook the action. Creatively one would think I would jump into action , but in reality I couldn't muster the impetuous to initiate 'something' as a response to what was happening world wide, or at least in our bubble.
We are currently in Lockdown 3 which started on the 29th April. We are still required to stay at home but you can have takeaways (I guess that is important to those who need them), construction and some businesses have been allowed to open, which should help the economy.
The truth was I had been English paper piecing a polyester cloth on small parallelogram card stock that was driving me crazy. I had already started the basting of the cards and stitched about 50 of them together when I realised they were the wrong angles. I started again, this time with the assistance of my 'spatial' partner who was able to redraw the correct angles for me. I should of never rushed.The objective was to make a pattern representational of a Hexa Grace, which is the tiled roof of Monaco's Centre of Congress, designed by in 1979 by Victor Vasarely ( Vásárhelyi Győző), one of the fathers of Op-Art (Optical-art).
This is for the The International Challenge 2020 undertaken by Aotearoa Quilters where 30 members complete 30 cities in conjunction with Nihon Heritage Quilt Guild in Japan. Quilters in France have also been invited to participate. 30 quilters from each of 3 countries – 30 themes = 90 quilts! Japan, France and Aotearoa New Zealand. The 90 quilts are intended to be exhibited in Japan, at the Third Quilt Time Festival, in 2020, the Great New Zealand Quilt Show, May 2021,and France, April 2022 at the ‘International Biennial Quilt & Textile Art’ show.
The work was very slow, and having to restart it made it even longer, but progress became slower. Finishing the central blue section, I pieced the outside with cream silk, a subtle protest to the poorer communities that go unseen in these areas rather than the gloss of the highly rich of Monte Carlo's population. I wanted this work to be more than what it seems, well at least to me anyway. Having pieced it all, I started the binding, hand stitching I enjoy until I prick myself on the index finger. I had left a drop of blood on the front of the silk. Damned by this, I felt cursed by the project. Perseverance and cold water prevailed finally riding the stain.I was progressing, and completion was near.
Sometimes we just shouldn't hold an iron. Silk requires a hotter heat than polyester. I know this. But, it didn't stop me from touching the blue pieced centre. The cloths melted and shriveled into minute blobs, the silk threads lingering. I cried. I pulled apart the central panel and insert the new pieces, so as not to disturb the delicate pattern of the cubed shapes. It worked, only just. By now I was over it. The piece needed to be restitched in places where threads were showing, I had nothing left to give to this work as time was now creeping in. I don't know why it was essential, time, we are in lock down? It made me frustrated. I couriered the work last week at expense, like everything in lock down It all costs money because.....
ANZAC day in Aotearoa is remembered. This year as there were no services we were asked to stand at our post boxes at 6am. We did this. Most homes around us were positioning poppies on their fences, mostly done by children. Some grown ups even painted fence lines and decorated nature strips with home made poppies and crosses in honour. We made a blanket which we hang from the bathroom window. I made it on the Friday before, from shopping bags. It stayed in place for three days. It is not finished yet and will need the backing completed to make it into a wagga.
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