PATCHWORK QUILTING

Last week we discussed patchwork quilting in political quilts.

One of  Susan’s political quilts, “First Lady” © Susan Shie 2009 is featured in a brand new book just out entitled “Journey of Hope: Quilts Inspired by President Barack Obama” by Carolyn L. Mazloomi.

Her quilt is a beautiful tribute to our first lady, Michelle Obama.  Susie says of her “First Lady” quilt: “I made this piece to be about Michelle Obama, and put what I could of her bio, etc, into it.  I found and transribed her whole speech from the 2008 Democratic Convention, putting it on her dress.  I also transcribed Obama’s letter to his daughters, which was published in Parade Magazine, the day before his inauguration, putting it on the girls’ dresses.  There’s also a lot of writing about the First Family. And it’s one of my Kitchen Tarot minor card quilts.”

“First Lady” © Susan Shie 2009

93″h x 83″w.

Begun Feb 16, 2009.  Finished May 13, 2009.  #370

#28 in the Peace Cozy series.

Whole cloth painting on fabric. Beginning drawing and colors airbrushed on, then airpen writing with fabric paint. A little hand brush work with fabric paint.  Machine crazy grid quilted. One row of hand sewing inside edge of border,using perle cotton. One Green Temple Buddha Boy bead, one Pink Buddha Girl bead. One Peace Cozy appliqué.

Statement:

I see my narrative art quilts as visual time capsules, but usually I multi-task them.  Having made a lot of large pieces abo

ut Barack Obama, this time I wanted to make something all about Michelle Obama, but it’s also my second piece in the Minor Arcana in my Kitchen Tarot quilt project. (I finished the 22 Major Arcana card quilts last year, having started the project in 1998. There are 56 minor cards – lots of Obamas to go!!!!!)

Like our new First Lady, the Queen of Swords card   stands for a very intelligent and hard working woman, who mentors others. She has learned a lot of lessons in life, which she passes on, in her wisdom. In my Kitchen Tarot deck, the sword cards become paring knives.  Not weapons, but helpful tools.

I airbrushed Michelle holding a vase of my Peace Roses.  Barack is next to her, also holding the vase, and the girls, Malia and Sasha, stand in front of Michelle. I made her flashing the shaka, and I wrote “First Lady” on the bodice of her gown.

The pies are my symbols of gifts and blessings. The many faces in the background are both men and women, black people who are rallying behind the Obamas, having voted for Barack and now hoping for the best for the first African-American president and his family.

I transcribed a few important items onto this piece, such as Michelle’s speech at the 2008 Democratic  convention, all of that speech. Barack’s letter to his daughters, that he published in Parade magazine right before his inauguration. But mostly my writing here is my own diary entries, which range from deaths in my family to journalist Roxana Saberi’s hostage release in Iran. Oh, and Wanda Sykes’ speech at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. I liked that!

Thanks to Susie Shie for sharing her beautiful work!

~MaggieB

Just a reminder; Susan Shie retains all copyrights to her quilts and images

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