To commemorate Earth Day 2009, I thought I’d design a couple of quilts using earth colors. Real earth colors. I created a palette using photographs I’ve taken in my yard over the past six months, made squares and then arranged the squares into a quilt pattern. I decided on a Double Irish Chain pattern, as the Irish were among the first Europeans to settle in Cow Bay.
The first quilt employs colors taken from feathers and fur: Bunny Brown, Blue Jay Blue, Jay Tail Feather Blue, Ring-neck Green, Pheasant Grey and Squirrel Red. I don’t think Martha Stewart could have come up with a more beautiful selection. Here is the finished virtual quilt:
Double Irish Chain Quilt with Feathers and Fur Palette
For my second quilt I made use of colors found in photos of trees and leaves: Inner Birch Bark, Spruce Green, Balsam Green, Ivy Red and Sapling Bark. The white is an authentic ‘Snow White.’
As a quilter, I’ve often wondered how strange it must seem to non-quilters that we cut fabric into small pieces, only to sew them back together again. As crazy as it may be, the process of creating a virtual quilt (without a program for doing such) is even nuttier. (This is what happens when you spend too much time with the squirrels).
Happy Earth Day!
Double Irish Chain Quilt with Snowy Trees and Leaves Palette
