I have always liked the symbolism of the Phoenix, the immortal bird, the one that gives birth to itself. It is the best known of all the mythological birds. It lives on dew and the smoke from rare incense. At the end of its life it builds a nest of fragrant herbs and spices and then burns in this fire returning to ashes, rebirth, and wholeness again. It does not transform itself into a new or different form as the butterfly, but the Phoenix brings its life full circle to its original purpose and then begins anew. It rises triumphantly from the ashes of its pyre to live again.
This is the newest piece I have added to my Tribute project. I am working in stages, building “sets” to fit a story, a remembrance, a celebration.
After I sewed the velvet trim to the sides, I decided to piece some shapes together to form the top and bottom borders. This is new fabric I have had in my collection and thought it might be a possibility. I could also use silks, but I will use those in other areas as well and wanted to add some other elements for color and luminescence.
These are all very old velvets, one dates from the 1850′s. They are beautiful to touch, very soft with their silk component. I might use a combination of the cotton and velvet around the Phoenix…..with a dusting of cinnamon and myrrh.
Fantastic. The purple velvet on either side sure speaks with the birds. I like the shiny fabrics too, being an old crow.
Shiny is difficult to show on many quilts as it sometimes cheapens it, but I think it works with this because it is all about celebration and pageantry. I like old crows too!
What an eye for colour and texture you have! The project looks really inspiring, so much meaning in the myth, and love in the selection of the fabrics. I look forward to sharing your progess, best as ever, Lois x
Thank you for your very nice compliments. I am having so much fun with this, but lately my time has been somewhat fragmented. I would love to do a post on balance and time to see how other people manage time in their creative lives.
The phoenix is a perfect inclusion! I’ve been finding that I like the contrast of silk with other fabrics. It seems to shine more when combined with other textures.
Yes, I think silk really is a versatile fabric in so many ways. I especially love dupioni and taffeta because of their sculptural qualities.
The colors are thrilling. The colors are what (in my imagination) would be used in the middle ages. I have always like the Phoenix. It seems to be a universal symbol. I think that the artist does this every time he or she creates something. This is really getting exciting. You are communicating your excitment and enjoyment of the project. Thank you.
What good feedback. There has been no struggle so far in this piece. It feels as if the decisions are already there before I get to them. I have had other projects where it has been more of a push and pull, but this one feels innate, comforting.
I humbly offer my Quilter’s Prayer -
http://morewgalo.blogspot.com/2005/12/quilters-prayer.html
Such wonderful fabric. Can’t wait to see how it
all comes together.
How many, many times I have had this thought in my head as I cut into a treasure and hoped it was the right decision. Such a perfect prayer for anyone with scissors and imminent decisions! Did you write the poem underneath the prayer? I loved it!
Such a beautiful image and combining the phoenix with the velvet is genius. I love the combined opulence of silk and velvet, and I can only begin to wonder at the richness of antique velvet.
What is it about old velvet that is so luxurious? I think it must be the way it was woven with the silk and that wonderful nap. It is a little hard to cut into, but easily justified if the piece calls for this sort of opulence. Thank you for the feedback and appreciation of this vision.