Cynthia St. Charles Store

Saturday, August 4, 2007

Irrigation Plan Quilt Finished


Yesterday I was able to devote some time to working in the studio. I managed to start and finish this piece - which I will call "Irrigation Plan". It was inspired by a challenge generated by my small art quilt group. The challenge was to turn to a certain page in a book of your choice, and design a quilt in response to a specified line on the page. Page 110, line 9.

I selected a college textbook that belonged to my grandfather. He graduated from Montana State University in agriculture and was a county extension agent after graduation. Then, he went into agriculture himself. His knowledge of irrigation practices was so extensive that he was called to act as an international consultant. When I was born in 1956, he was stationed in Jordan, where he was overseeing the installation of an irrigation system for that nation.

I still have the telegram my dad sent to my grandparents announcing my birth.


This quilt is an adaptation of the illustration on page 110 showing a farm plan for integrating the contour check method and the rectangular check method of irrigation. The idea of this type of irrigation plan (I do understand a bit about irrigation, having done it myself) is to use the contours of the land to create even distribution of water across a field. Gravity is factored in.

The quilt measures 24" square.

This is the first time I have made a quilt entirely of hand stamped fabric. My quilting stitches are intended to represent the contours of the land. I think this design might be more striking done in solids, perhaps pieced more randomly in the background. And maybe with a greater contrast either in value or color between the ditch lines and the field. Nevertheless, it is finished and I am pleased. I may do another sometime to see if my ideas for improving the design are on track.

7 comments:

Vicki W said...

What a nice piece - I see a series starting here.

mzjohansen said...

What a great piece .. the possibilities are endless with the theme !

Lisa Walton said...

You have created a wonderful quilt and have certainly met the challenge.

Unknown said...

I love the linear effect you have with the stamping motif, quilting and blue lines. I'd like to see it bigger and rectangle. I also like how you carried the design right to the edge. Lovely piece!

Anonymous said...

Oi, achei teu blog pelo google tá bem interessante gostei desse post. Quando der dá uma passada pelo meu blog, é sobre camisetas personalizadas, mostra passo a passo como criar uma camiseta personalizada bem maneira. Se você quiser linkar meu blog no seu eu ficaria agradecido, até mais e sucesso.(If you speak English can see the version in English of the Camiseta Personalizada.If he will be possible add my blog in your blogroll I thankful, bye friend).

Anonymous said...

this is wonderful.

Carol said...

I love this piece. Great job.