Meditations on Cloth | Quilt
Meditations on Cloth is an expression of my creative aesthetic {colorful + pushing the boundaries of traditional/heritage craft} as well as an exercise in intuitive textile art, and a love letter to slow making. You can call it a quilt. Or a textile collage. A wall hanging. Fabric painting. Contemporary artwork. All are true.
I began this piece in 2022 and completed it in 2024, nearly two years— and more than 250 hours later.
It began without a formal pattern or completed size in mind— just the spark of an idea, accompanied by another… and so on. I pulled materials as thoughts came to me, allowing myself the freedom to make whichever mark, cut, or stitch that fell from the ether next {no matter the vibe}. In this case, I didn’t even stick to a finished rectangular shape. The world has plenty of those already.
This Side | pieced
Hand and machine pieced {for strength} → hand quilted and embroidered {for beauty}. Abstract fabric designs, expandng in shape and size until my brain said stop. In keeping with my commitment to create large scale works using a collection of existing textiles this piece was created from archival materials including: vintage *kantha quilts and Belgian linen, deadstock, offcut, up-cycled, and personally hand dyed fabrics (painted with natural and fiber reactive pigments).
*Kantha quilts are made in rural parts of Bengal and Bangladesh. Beloved lengths of cloth, including saris and favorite items of clothing, are stitched together with plain and colorful threads to create household quilts. Each piece is rich with endless histories stitched throughout its fibers.
That Side | vintage drop cloth
A vintage cotton tablecloth, uniquely dyed drop cloth-style {in studio} over the course of a year, bordered by soft linen— showcasing abstract “show your work” style stitching, with exposed threads and knots. Chaotic yet peaceful.
Batting |
Chemical free cotton: lightweight, compact, warm
Binding |
Created from a combination of hand dyed fabric remnants. Finished by hand.
Size:
At its longest, it measures 77” (196cm). The width varies from 65.5”-65.75” (168m).
This piece is accompanied by a patch/repair kit of unique offcuts created during the making of this piece, including a generous amount of binding. While your quilt is heirloom quality, gentle use and care will help prolong the life of this functional piece of art. In time {and with use} well loved fabric pieces will require mending. By patching, stitching and repairing you can ensure your quilt will be enjoyed for many decades… increasingly coveted with time.
← not these. these are the unusable scraps/offcuts.
You will have the opportunity to request my stitched signature be added to the quilt, gratis at checkout.
Getting into Bed on a December Night |
Ellen Bass, with my favorite poem involving a quilt
All content is owned by Tifanie White | studio. Unauthorized use including reproduction, distribution, reposting, downloading and transferring is prohibited.
