Thursday, October 15, 2015

Carolyn's Circle of Friends: "SIDE-BY-SIDE"




PRESIDENT JANET'S CIRCLE
For me, the word, “circle” is a reminder of the circles of friends that have been part of my life. I decided to make this quilt in honor of my nursing school graduation class.  We entered school in 1957 during the period when nursing education was an intense, year-round, 3-year hospital program designed to “weed out” those who couldn’t make it academically and emotionally.  During our education, the song, Side by Side was constantly on the radio.  It soon became our class theme song.

Those of us who finished our training developed a strong bond, not only because of the rigorous course requirements, but because we were thrust into adulthood by being assigned management responsibilities far beyond our training, age and life experiences.  Most of us were 18 or 19 when we entered; two of us, including me, were barely 17.  Twenty women entered our program; 10 graduated.  Since 1960, we have maintained close bonds through periodic reunions, and the sharing of many joys and struggles – marriages, divorces, childbirths, career changes, loss of spouses, illnesses and all of the celebrations and trials that make up life. Two of our members have died – including our class president, coincidentally, while I was working on this "Side by Side" quilt.

To construct my quilt, I randomly pieced together hand-dyed, batik, cotton and silk fabrics, along with a scattering of silk ribbons.  I chose to represent my classmates with circles from a Kaffe Fassett print to signify our constant changes and growth.  The irregular circles distinguish each nurse’s uniqueness – some leaders, others followers; some with outgoing personalities, others with quiet steadiness; some with unceasing energy, others with dependable creativity.  The bright colors in the quilt demonstrate the happiness we share when we are together. The quilt is zigzag machine stitched with orange Mettler poly sheen thread with the addition of occasional decorative threads.  The circles are satin-stitched with Aurifil thread.   


13 comments:

  1. Oh, Carolyn! This is such a beautiful quilt and inspiring story! Everything about this quilt symbolizes what our Material Mavens group is all about--themes that inspire and challenge us; quilts that each time seem to get more and more beautiful!

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  2. Carolyn This is amazing as always! Love your narrative - the colors are so happy!!!!!
    Everyone had so much fun with this theme!

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  3. Such an incredibly meaningful and touching interpretation. Love all the symbolism, mixture of fabric, and the happy colors!! It works so wonderfully!!

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  4. A beautiful quilt. And an equally beautiful narrative in which you share your wonderful and very personal story with us. I love your pieced background that uses so many different fabrics... and that you zig-zag stitched them all together :-) Using the Kaffe Fasett fabric was perfect ! AND.... your bias fabric for the Binding was inspirational !

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  5. What can I say Carolyn? This is beautiful and the heartfelt story that it was created from is perfect! I love how your quilt truly tells the story.

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  6. I love your choice of fabrics and the colors. Your story is wonderful.

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  7. I like this quilt a lot! I posed the question to my students. When you think of a circle, do you see a perfect shape or do you see a curved line that ends where it begins, not a perfect circle? I'll have to show them this quilt!

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  8. I like this quilt a lot! I posed the question to my students. When you think of a circle, do you see a perfect shape or do you see a curved line that ends where it begins, not a perfect circle? I'll have to show them this quilt!

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  9. I just love your color! So vibrant and exciting.

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  10. Carolyn you are the best at interpreting a theme in your work. I love this and the symbolism it represents.

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  11. Spectacular! And from someone who doesn't think they're an artist! I did a double take when I saw this. This arrangement is more artistic than a linear one. Great little quilt!

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  12. Carolyn I love your abstract interpretation of the theme. The story is wonderful and the color and movement in this quilt is great. I love the juxtaposition of the linear and circular elements

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  13. Such a happy little quilt! I especially love your use of irregular circle shapes that represent the uniqueness of each of the nurses...perfect!

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