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Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Timeline

"A graphical representation of a period of time, on which important events are marked." I get what a timeline is. But in fabric? Stephanie/@spontaneousthreads's Bee Sewcial prompt was intriguing, challenging, and a thoughtful stroll down memory lane.



In Stephanie's words, "Start[ing] with the day you were born mark the moments in segments, thick or thin, short, long, tapered, connected or interrupted.... Colors: BACKGROUND in a range of neutrals.... MOMENTS: everyday ones in black, very dark gray, navy, Kona pepper.... SUPER SPECIAL MOMENTS: (marriage/ birth of a child/ huge life changes/ death) should be represented in a color that means something to you."

With those instructions, it seemed that first off I needed to construct a rough life-map to guide me, and also, a color key. Those steps took more than a bit of reflection, counting back the years, etc.



Of course, piecing was a whole 'nother thing. Though the fabric placement and sizes were definitely improvisational, I did use my ruler often to make sure the 'event markers' fit in their appropriate 'years' and that the years added up relatively straight.

The colored markers all represent people, the yellow either a marriage or a special anniversary celebration trip. The little "-" bits on the left are significant family deaths; the bars of gray on the right, the homes hubby and I have shared together. What the photos don't reflect well is all the purple - the color I chose for myself - but it's there.



And as a nod to the sewing that brought me to a place where I would ever make my life's timeline out of fabric.... are those bits indicated by the arrow below. There are seven of them, beginning when I learned to sew at age 10 to my own first sewing machine at 21 and on through the beginning of blogging, new machine(s), joining Seattle MQG, and Bee Sewcial itself.... not THE most important things along life's journey maybe, but key nonetheless.



So that was one interesting odyssey. I'm so curious how my bee mates will interpret the theme. At the very least, at approximately 14" x 30", this simple fabric strip holds alot of meaning. I kinda like that.

19 comments:

  1. Wow, what an awesome prompt and response. Will it be hard to part with this block?

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  2. Do different! I think this represents a brilliant prompt and response :) Well done!

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  3. From what I saw of Stephanie's prompt, It looks like you totally nailed it! What a thoughtful prompt and response...I think everyone is eager to see this one shape up and come together!

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  4. I like how you took on that challenge and did your Life's timeline...I am fascinated by your color choices...nice work hugs, Julierose

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  5. What an interesting prompt. Love the result.

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  6. Thank you thank you. I now feel like I am the curator of memories in Fabric. I cannot wait to “hear” the remainder of the stories : to see lives well lived and celebrated in color and time.

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  7. What a fabulous concept. Your vision of your life wonderful. WOW

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  8. This is such a beautiful and fascinating strip of fabric!

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  9. How amazing! I so love what you have done with this idea. It is perfect. Can’t wait to see the others.

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  10. It's nice to see how you went about this. I think it's a very interesting prompt for your group that will lead to some good ideas. Last year was a big 0 birthday for me and I have been thinking about making a group of quilts to represent the years. Didn't do at the time but maybe I still will.

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  11. Really interesting project!!! Love your idea and thought process. Thanks for sharing.

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  12. What an interesting concept....thanks for the explanation. I love what you've done, it's very striking.

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  13. great explanation of this very intimate block

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  14. This takes some thinking about. I love the concept, thank you so much for sharing, it's wonderful, and unique to you.

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  15. This is such an inspired prompt and I love your Interpretation. Also how you put so many different themes of life into it... The block is just gorgeous!

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  16. Very interesting prompt and extremely thought provoking. Nice work Debbie! I think I might have to make one for myself. Thanks again for the inspiration.

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  17. I'm really curious to see how your bee-mates interpreted the challenge as well. I hope you'll share. Yours is really incredible!

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  18. That us amazing Debbie! I love it! I can't wait to see more!

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  19. This is very exciting! I love how you have created this and can imagine how thr process is also difficult but very interesting!

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