Maritime charts result from multiple exploratory voyages, each adding to knowledge previously gained. In bad weather, with reduced visibility, or during hours of darkness major features could be missed. Modern charts are based on accumulated information, acquired over many years. My quilt represents elements of voyages of discovery, routes followed and findings recorded. Separate segments are joined together to indicate the amalgamation of knowledge. It is hard to imagine the terror of sailing off into unknown, uncharted waters with the ever-present possibility of encountering fearsome monsters or falling right off the edge of the world.
Mostly dyed or hand-painted cottons and silks with a few commercial fabrics in the mix. The selected fabrics have been roughly cut into small rectangles then positioned and stitched into place, directly onto the wadding and backing, one piece at a time. Red yarn couched by machine using a braiding foot; scraps of painted scrim and muslin hand stitched to the surface. Each of the nine individual sections has been bound at the top and bottom edges with raw edged fabric strips before being machine stitched into position.
