One of the greatest attributes of working with a needle and thread is its ability to create and record memories and connections. Indeed, that may be one of the main reasons so many people love stitching and embroidery.
As I progress through life, I’m still learning about the importance of embroidery woven with these attributes, hence the rationale for this post.
Why have I suddenly become so much more aware of this? Well, I’m a soon-to-be Grandmother, and I can sew.
So, I’m sharing a little of my sense of wonderment as I work towards making just a few items for a little, unknown person yet to enter this world.
I’ll begin with a small wool embroidery worked by my Mother and kept as a fond treasure of someone who was caring and kind, who loved to embroider and knit and taught me the basics of what I know today – and there’s the first connection.
It’s a sweet piece of stitching, but I wanted to include something of me in there so that Bub can have something of Great Grandma and Grandma in a small cot blanket or coverlet.
This was quite an experience as I worked directly on stitching completed decades ago by Mum. Thoughts and memories of her were at the forefront of every stitch. I hope I’ve done her work justice.
But then, during a tidy-up of my workroom, I discovered a partially worked but never finished quilt top. It must be over twenty years old, but I showed a photo to my daughter who said the colours resonated with her, reminding her of a place close to her heart – and there’s connection number two.
It’s bright and vibrant, and as new mothers are encouraged to focus on uplifting colours during their hospital stay, this small quilt fits the bill perfectly. I’ve finished most of the work, and it’s now drip-drying in some good old-fashioned Aussie sunshine.
Then comes the quilting and embroidery inspiration.
The central circular motifs were quilted in a rolling wave-like pattern. We swam, snorkelled and spent time turtle-watching or lounging under palm trees. So, these designs include motifs that are all highly meaningful. I drew the designs onto dressmaker’s tissue, stitching through the paper to create the quilting. Tweezering out the paper was an end-of-the-day job.
So, along with meaningful memories and familial networks, place is a formidable connection.
A needle and thread can so easily capture and store these memories and carry them over many years. The work can be abstract, realistic or innovative, working memories of time, people and place into embroidered artwork that’s emotive, therapeutic and full of meaning.
It’s a reflection of our lives that records and embraces remembrance. In many cases, embroidery and quilting are the perfect vehicles to reuse memorable fabrics, giving them a new life and energy – my daughter recognised many of the fabrics used in her quilt.
Labelling this milestone occasion in our family culminated in a densely embroidered circular quilt label. The embroidery duplicates that tropical atmosphere we all enjoyed so much, and the circular shape replicates the floral garlands often worn by local communities.
So, I’ve learned a lot about memory and connection in embroidery. In many ways, I see this all the time in my research for the Stitch Safari Podcast, but this experience is new to me, so I’m going to record and savour every moment.
Memory and connection are well worth incorporating into your work.
All views and opinions expressed are my own, except where acknowledged information is included from other sources.