I'm working at the moment on a plan to alternate the male and female Scarlet Robins on each panel. This may change as I see how they are fitting together. This one, however, is a female and I worked her in stem stitch again.
To tell the story I began with a series of little hammocks slung from trees across the top of the panel. The hammocks are worked in needle-lace.
Underneath each hammock is the shape of a tiny person. The hammock can be lifted to reveal the sleeper underneath.
The more difficult part was embroidering sleeping people inside buildings. I hesitated between a home and a dormitory - such as a camp or shearers' quarters. In the end I went for a hybrid.I tried for straight and neat - but ended more Grandma Moses! This bit is shapes only - nothing to lift and reveal the sleepers.
The birdsong in this panel is my attempt to capture the song of the Scarlet Robin itself. I am not a musician and do not read music more than knowing one note is higher or lower than another. I found some recordings of Scarlet Robin birdsong and played them over and over, trying to gain a sense of the way the notes might flow. This time I worked the notes and sound waves before I added the panel back!
I also stitched over the words on this panel. I'm not happy with the 'take' of the printed words.
I'm enjoying this move into what is turning out to be narrative embroidery.
Each panel is more thoughtful and detailed than the last! It's really an amazing project. And the blog will be a helpful adjunct, I think, to document all the details. Are you about half way now?
ReplyDeleteThanks Monica. Yes, it has really developed a life of its own. I'm now working on the 9th, and last panel. I'm planning on turning the blog posts into a book to go with the finished quilt.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great idea! And then show the book on the blog!
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