I’ve been thinking about where the transition point is (for me) between a quilt spark and a work in progress (WIP). I have thousands of sparks, a couple of flames, and only a handful of roaring campfires to show for it. I suppose that’s a normal ratio. The problem is that I have such hope in the spark stage that I have to avoid thinking about the spark’s chances or I feel defeated from the get go! I try to remind myself of how much I learn from the little studies, the sketches that end up in the trash, and the pieces that turn out completely differently than I expected. Sometimes a spark is fine as it is – without having to become something grander to be worthy.
But today I have a spark that I want very much to shepherd all the way through the process! I’ve been working on some ideas I have for a magnolia quilt. I love magnolia grandifloras. They represent the best of what is Southern to me. I love that they are a symbol of welcome here. They are also beautiful on a grand scale. I remember planting one with my father when I was four. Recently I drove by that house to see that 35 year old magnolia towering over the houses around it. They are glorious. Dark, shiny leaves. Huge, intoxicating blooms. Crazy, curly centers. Interesting, hard, brown seed pods. I find magnolias both inviting and overpowering. One of the things that drew me to the house we’re buying are the magnolias by the driveway. We have a “circular” drive – that is really a straight line going through our corner lot property. I suppose since it connects one street to the other, it’s a circle? At each end of the circular drive there is a magnolia. I’ve named them “Going” and “Coming” but we’re debating which is which!
These are pictures of them (click to see them larger). Once they are officially ours, I’ll get much closer with my camera. I can’t wait for Spring so I can take pictures of the leaves and blossoms as they unfurl. I’ve been sketching from some famous photos of magnolia blossoms. This photograph by Imogen Cunningham is a favorite of mine.
I am intrigued by the shadowing and the detail of the curlicues. For me one of the challenges of working with magnolia blossoms as a quilt theme will be the subtlety of the color. I am more comfortable working with lots of color and abstract designs. Also focusing on something so recognizable is something for me to think about. People have expectations about what magnolia blossoms “should” look like. I want mine to be identifiable as a magnolia flower but I also want to put my mark on it. As far as my quilt goes – I’m Mother Nature! I’ve been sketching petals and cutting up photographs in order to rearrange the elements. I’ve toyed with doing something monochromatic but not necessarily “magnolia colored” (although I want it said I love the candlit look of the flowers against the dark and serious green leaves). But what if I made my magnolia blossom in purples? If I worked very hard and got the subtlety of shading right, and the shape, and the details on the curlicues – but it was all purple? Would that read as “magnolia”? Would it be too Warhol? Would it be fun? Or disappointing? It doesn’t have to be that I do either the one or the other. I’m much more of an and/both kind of gal. Magnolias interest me enough that I could definitely play around with them for more than just one piece!
Here I am – all sparked up. And I begin to wonder when do the sparks officially catch the tender? When do my sketches, photos, cut up petals, etc become a work in progress. Is it when the scissors hit the fabric? Or are we already there? It doesn’t matter, really. It’s just that I have the leisure to analyze my process and ask questions about it. Whenever I do that, I start wondering about other quilter’s process. That’s where my head is today. Process and magnolias. And no fabric in sight.
Peace.
