Emerald Winds Quilt

       A while back, I made a quilt for a dear friend.  She and her husband are good people and have been so good to our family.  Not just us, but they've made it part of their life's work to serve others.  Anyway, while I was in the process of making my friend's quilt, I was also making a quilt for her husband.

     I really liked this pattern.  It was easy to make and I like how each whirligig is inset together with the next.  All across the quilt top there is no space between the design because even the background colors are whirligigs.  But, in giving this quilt to its recipient, it was jokingly stated that the whirligigs look like swastikas.

     Here's an interesting tidbit:  Did you know that the swastika did not originate with the Nazi party?  It apparently originated in the ancient language of the Hindus and symbolized peace and well-being.  From there, the symbol migrated throughout the world and maintained its peaceful signification.  It was widely used in decorations on the pottery and textiles of many cultures throughout the world.  Even here in the U.S., long before it was the U.S., it had been adopted by the Navajos and it became a symbol of "friendship and abundance."  It eventually made its way into pop culture in the early 20th century.  There is an article, The Ancient and Peaceful History of the Swastika, by Will Adams that recounts a brief history of this symbol.  After Hitler used it as the emblem for his Third Reich, it was transformed into a symbol of "hatred, aggression, and death."

     As for the quilt pattern, never once did it remind me of a swastika.  But there are obviously some, like history buffs, who might see a resemblance.  I still like the pattern, but maybe it's time to retire it?

     The back of the quilt was done improv style in softer colors.  It's not often that I'm able to put together a low volume palette and stick to it; almost always, I'm impelled to throw in some bolder fabrics for contrast.  But, this one came out nicely understated.

     Many of the fabrics on the back of this quilt were cut from cotton shirts, about three-quarters; and a few of the whirligigs on front, too.  Over the years, I have repurposed (recycled, upcycled, however you want to say it) a lot of clothing and other textiles in my quilts.  I love the weave and texture of some clothing fabrics and they look great in quilts!  Plus, I get a big thrill out of taking something old and making it new and useful again.  But, maybe that's a subject for a future post.


The Wrap Up
Name:  Emerald Winds
Size:  54" x 64"
Top Pieces:  244
Back Pieces:  42
Batting:  mid-loft poly
Finished:  December 2017