Fly With Me. Repurposed clothing and textiles, cotton, linen, silk. 2023. 63" x 65"
Inspired by people and snowbirds who migrate south for the winter months. In early 2023, I spent the last days of winter and beginning of spring escaping the cold of New York to spend time at the home in which I grew up in Florida. Most of the fabrics were sourced secondhand while I was there. I wanted to embrace tropical colors in the clothing I found in Floridian thrift shops which is how Hawaiian prints and brighter hues like pool water blue and fluorescent green made their way into this piece. The lyrics to Frank Sinatra's 'Come Fly With Me' are a reference to New York, as well as a tribute to my Floridian grandmother, who dearly loved warm weather and Frank. The quilt top was made using prompts about the elements and principles of art from the 'Vignettes' pattern, written by textile artist Heidi Parkes.
The top is pieced by machine, embroidered and appliquéd by hand. Hand-tied and hand-quilted with improvisational stitching using sashiko thread. Batting is a cotton, bamboo and silk blend. Binding is hand-stitched.
Care:
Machine wash cold, delicate cycle using gentle, pH-neutral detergent. Tumble dry low heat or air dry. To keep colors from fading, store or display out of direct sunlight. Create warm memories, love, patch, and mend.
