Ever since the senseless murder of nine black congregants during a Bible Study circle at the Emanuel AME in Charleston, it has been hard to think of much else. It is sickening to realize that we now all have enough experience with these tragic events to recognize what could be called the ‘one-two-three punch’. First comes the awful, heart-rending racist violence itself. Second comes the media distortions, in which various denials and weird angles continue the racist harm. Third, we get to wait and watch for the possible failure of the political and judicial systems to prosecute or make a finding of guilt (or take down the Confederate flag). These very distinct kinds of harm overlap and blur into what for me is an increasingly intolerable state. What must it be for families of victims? For all African Americans?
Which is part of why I want to make a quilt. It’s not quite the ‘fearless action’ I consecrated myself to in a Solstice circle yesterday, but it is not nothing either.
A nine block would fitting. If each heart was secured atop a square of woven strips (in the style of and with techniques taught by Jude Hill), I think it would convey something about hope and love uniting us all – whatever hue our stripe.
Unlike the flurry and fury of my online activity (facebook and twitter), this would be a gesture with a little heft. What I have in mind is a modest wall hanging. More of a sympathy card than an heirloom quilt but still, something with literal and metaphoric heart… something that the members of the congregation in Charleston could touch and hold. That feels important to me.
Anyone in? I only need EIGHT SIX FIVE FOUR others ONE MORE. Thank you Sandi and Donna! And Ginny! And anonymous. And Dana, Mo and Gillan.
YES! I would love to be a part of this!! Can you share size and if you want it to have an indigo woven background? XO Sandi
Oh fantastic Sandi. I would love indigo for the backgrounds. I think it would be so pretty and apt, given the crops history in the Lowlands.
dee, what size do you want this to be? Do you have a date in mind that you would like to receive this? Thank you for such a heart-felt idea! xo
I would like 10″x10″ squares with quarter inch allowances. So 10.5 ” square. I will post pix and specs tomorrow.
I would love to contribute Dee.
Oh nice Ginny! Do u need me to send you some fabric?
In sure I can find something here. I have some material from Pakistan to send you. If you want it. I will send pics.
I trust your eye, Ginny, more than I trust most things. I can help or direct you to stitching help shortly.
I’ll do it Dee. Looking for specs, thinking about indigo.
We are all thinking about indigo! Thanks Dana! Especially coming off such a rigorous teaching schedule.
“plant your love and let it grow”
Eric Clapton 461 Ocean Boulevard
a beautiful gesture Dee full of deep heart and honouring
would love to make one out of some indigo dyed organza and a scrap of red silk, is there a time frame & dimensions?
Sounds perfect Mo. Posting specs today. Squares to be 10″x 10″ with quarter inch seam allowance. I want to send before summers over.
nice project Dee, I might have to hold off getting into anything new right now though.
Totally understand. As long as you don’t mind being large part inspiration.
May I be your “one more”?
Absolutely Liz!!! We have nine. We have Texas, Ny, Australia, Washington state, Connecticut, Massachusetts and South Carolina. I don’t know where anonymous is from yet.
Dee, I was anonymous as I was having issues with my Kindle!! Sorry for the confusion! 🙂
oh, okay. good to know.
Wonderful idea Dee. May I send you an extra heart, to dangle…or perhaps a garland of extras will grow from others who may not have been in time…or have time to create one of the original 9 patches? Please let me know (and include an aprox size if so)
(((hugs))) Nancy
I will not say “no”. I could make it two-sided, for instance. Anyway check out today’s post for specs.
Oh! I’m just reading this now! I’ll do one – do still need the last one-someone? I should change my name from anonymous to Mag!!
Fabulous Maggie! Are u the “anonymous” who commented earlier? I generally recognize your anonymous comments as you.
Nope, I’m a different anonymous. You should see me as the lace covered head… anyway I’m thinking… I have lots of cloth but none of the fabulous indigo.
Beautiful plan! I will make a square….need I use indigo? If so, I can get some dyed and ready to use and be “on time” with the square
Kristin
Hi Kristin — Indigo is not required. Maybe preferred? But do what feels easeful. Mostly it would be wonderful if the square was stitched in a state of peacefulness — not agitation.
Peaceful, easeful energy to surround every stitch. A meditation on love, respect, harmony…. and the threads that connect us all. My sweet delight to stitch for this.
Beautifully said Kristin.
Kristin, if you are reading this could you please email me at dee@deemallonquilts.com? I want to send out a group email to the quilting volunteers and all I have is your gravatar and photo.
Dee, I just sent you an e-mail from my hotmail account.
Kristin
Thank you!!
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