I explored new ways of monoprinting on fabric, and hand embroidery techniques, at this week long course at CityLit. I found the mark-making extremely exciting, and was delighted to come away with a stash of new fabric, a new set of skills and a solid idea for a new piece.
I found that, through play, the word I kept writing was CHAOS. I think this was a reflection of the point my life was at: the beginning of the school holidays with very little childcare or scope for a break juggling kids and work. I began to see how the squares could look like those of a patchwork quilt. My family have always made these for new babies born to people we know and love – and yet this quilt wasn’t a homely one, it was a receptacle for all the confusion and angst I was feeling. A sort of anti-quilt.
The squares are mounted on a fragile net, and I plan to embroider on each piece – either words or details. It’s a lot of work, but handmade quilts are a lot of work, intended to keep a baby warm. And, to an extent, to show off the fact that the creator is skilled in both making and repurposing their stash of fabrics to make something new.
hannahbailey.org 