Once in a Blue Moon

Shades of Moon, 2024

The Hunter Moon, (October 17^th), found us still in St Lucia; Its size and brightness over 3 nights was just amazing to see.  I learned that the Hunter Moon traditionally announces the last opportunity for a night hunt as the depths of winter draws in.  Its bright light, usually sustained over 3 nights, allows hunters a last chance to fill larders before cold winter months. 

Of course, having lived mostly in the southern hemisphere where the full moon in October announces that summer is close (Dec to Feb), full moons have no names as far as I know.  And yes, I know it’s the one moon we are looking at regardless of location!  The closest we might come to full moon references is If someone tells you that you are “barking at the moon“.  Generally, that means you’re as mad as a hatter!  Anyway, back to the Hunter Moon.  Having discovered one named moon, I got to wondering if the other months had named moons too.  And they surely do, and have done, for a very, very long time!

Research on full moon names led me to my first “list” dilemma, naming choice.  Yes, there’s more than one set of names!  There's scientific and traditional.  Well, for me, traditional has more story to it.  So, the difficulty then, was deciding between essentially, agrarian or nomadic collections.  Currently popular is the North American Indian naming system, however, my interest lies more in the Celtic/Anlgo-Saxon names given family heritage and farming connections.  Anglo Saxons in essence, based moon names on many years of observing seasons and farming.  Fascinating reading in all and I’ll add some links below so that you can read up on it too! 

A (not-so-pink) Pink Moon, Trinidad 22 April 2024

As I read, I better understood the importance of the moon in life long ago. Stonehenge has a connection with seasons.  This made me think too, of church bells, tolling the time of day across village communities.  Also, shades of Jane Austin!  Mr Knightly announced to the community, his intention to marry Emma, at the end of Harvest Feast held in his ancestral pile.  If you’re curious too, the “English” moons are named:

o   January: Moon following Yule (Pre-Christian not Christmas)

o   February: Snow

o   March: Lenten

o   April: Egg

o   May: Milk

o   June: Flower

o   July: Hay

o   August: Grain

o   September: Harvest

o   October: Hunter

o   November: Blood

o   December: Moon before Yule

o   13^th Moon: Blue Moon (when a moon appears twice in a month and the second moon is so named.  This event occurs only every two to three years).

We've never yet seen the famous "Green Flash".  Setting sun, Grenada.
A Mead Moon was due, 10 days later, on 23 June 2024.

Now just what has this to do with textiles and quilting?  I’m sure there must be loads of traditional blocks that feature moons in some form or other.  Of course, quilting may not date back to Celtic times but certainly, the UK has a long history of textile production.  Making textiles for clothing, stitching quite humble bed coverings, fashioning artfully stitched quilts; it was a very real process of survival and making do.  I can image the women under candlelight, spinning, weaving and stitching by the fire, while the men were out hunting - by the light and good guidance of a Hunter moon.

Further Reading (by the light of the Moon!)

Perhaps the best reading is from Time and Date, with most bases covered.

Otherwise, Time Meddler has a clear & concise English Version as does the Maine Farmers’ Almanac.

Then, there is always reliable Wikipedia with lots of links and further sources.

And to meet a quilting astronaut, here's an article on Karen Nyberg and a 2025 exhibition at the Kennedy Centre.  

So, what sparks your creativity?  Try developing a few full moon ideas, here's another.  I know I will be...  And Have Fun!!

Just take a look at this wonderful Sindhi applique quilt.
Use traditional art to inspire you!  (Wiki Attribution)  Wiki Quilts

Good Wishes

All Graphics courtesy of The Graphics Fairy

Yes, it’s that time of the year again.  Amazing how quickly it sneaks up on you!  Rather than sending out newsletters this year, our adventures have been mostly covered over our 7 months of Windjammer3 travels anyway.  Link to the WJ3 blog, here.  Surely guaranteed to get you snoozing!

It has been a slow year in the textile travels department, largely due I think, to quilts not being an essential item for the tropics.  Fabrics though are another matter.  I am looking forward to finding fabric stores in Trinidad when we return with hopes of locating wonderful waxies (African prints) and colourful designs that make life Carnival every day of the year.   

We trust Santa brings joy to you and your family this festive season, where-ever you are; under a blanket of snow or basking in tropical sunshine.  Have a wonderful and peaceful Christmas and New Years, and allow at least some time to kick back and relax.  After all, you will need to be match fit for a game of cricket (or tennis) and have that barbie fired up, ready for Australia Day.  Lamb chops and lamingtons essential!

Quilters in the Caribbean

Happiness is finding a Quilt Store

On the off chance of finding African wax fabrics (fabric lengths rather than clothes) in St Martin, I went in search of textile shops.  Well, there aren’t many, but one big surprise was finding a quilt shop, A Stitch at a Time, located in Cole Bay, Sint Maarten, which fortunately, was within easy walking distance for me.

Owner Lyseth Olaria, keeps a very tidy and inspiring quilt store offering a neat selection of colourful (and very tempting) patchwork fabrics, including trays of fat quarters.  Aside from a huge display of sewing gadgets (and who ever has enough of those?), there was a nice selection of machines, wadding, bag making supplies & more – in all, an Aladdin’s cave for any quilter!  We bonded over our love of Bernina machines…

A peek at what's inside A Stitch at a Time

Lyseth was very friendly and most helpful, making suggestions and showing bolts of colours that could make suitable matches for my own small bag of scraps.  She also gave me plenty of browsing time given my need to explore and select just the right fabrics.  Lyseth clearly knows quilters and how we love to touch the cloth!  I had an absolutely wonderful time given my 3 months of quilt making deprivation, though I’m not so sure about the Cap’n!

You can tell, the Cap'n was enraptured !

A Stitch at a Time is in a group of shops in Orange Grove Plaza, Unit 3C, Orange Grove Road, Colebay, Philipsburg, St. Maarten.  It is open on weekdays from 9am to 6pm.  Phone: +1 721 - 544- 3224 & Email: info@stitchatatime.com.  Lyseth’s blog can be found at http://www.stitchatatime.com.

When you visit St Martin, Lyseth’s quilt shop is an easy run (by taxi or mini bus) from Marigot or Phillipsburg to Cole Bay along Union Road.  A Stitch at a Time is on the corner of Union Rd and Orange Grove Road, but I doubt you will find any street signs.  (Use Google Maps on your phone.)  In the next block is your nearest landmark, the vast ACE Hardware store, more like a Department Store than a Hardware!!  No fabric though.

My selection of blue & whites (very Dutch, yes? & a great find!)

A Quilt of Belonging…

This is not exactly what I had planned for today.  Really!  I was making a “things to do list” with hopes of doing a bit of blog tidying up.  Somehow though, I fell into a rabbit hole and ended up searching for information about Caribbean textiles.  All is not lost however, as I discovered a spectacular quilt called “A Quilt of Belonging”. 

Photo of the Quilt of belonging at the Inaugural exhibition at the wikipedia:Canadian Museum of Civilization, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada. Photographer: Nick Wolochatiuk.

The concept is amazing, the result even better.  Although finished in November 1998, I can’t say that I’d heard about this quilt and I must have been dozing in my garden shed when/if it came to Australia.  The block for Australia is one of embroidered wildflowers, beautifully done by Lyn Prichard.  The write up by the Australian High Commission leaves a lot to be desired.  Perhaps it would have been better to have assigned that task to our famous Quilt Historian & Collector, Dr Annette Gero.  The craft of quiltmaking came to Sydney’s colony (NSW) with British female convicts.  The Rajah Quilt was made in 1841 during the women’s transportation.  

If you are interested in a brief overview of Australia’s quiltmaking history then a good place to start is The History Blog.  Otherwise, seek out one of Annette Gero’s excellent books.  They are guaranteed to keep you away from your sewing machine for weeks.  Of course, you can always count this as research and inspiration!  Time well spent, I’d say…

So, getting back to the Caribbean, here are the colourful blocks provided by these tropical island countries to A Quilt of Belonging. 

A Less Adventurous Life

Can it have been so long since my last post?  Well, yes and we all know why.  I did find my way to Adelaide earlier this year, so I have no real excuses for not writing up my textile finds.  I have however, recently done a review of sorts, looking for the gaps in my humble textile observations, so there is hope for a few photos and notes in the offing – most likely after the Christmas Rush.  School holidays are about to start soon too and it’s a long summer break.  So, the lethargy may continue for a little while longer and it might be time to sit under a shady tree and read a book or three. 

I will say that I’ve also done a bit of a make-over on this blog's inner workings (design), so hopefully it’s easier to read and the photos a better size.  Also, I’ve been sorting and organising my photos, a job that was desperately needed.  I’ll write a bit about that soon – it promises to be a bit of a moan anyway, as the learning curve was steep and the youtube videos to watch rather numerous. 

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, a prosperous New Year and time for lots and lots of stitching/researching textiles.

Graphic courtesy Graphics Fairy

Travel, Textiles & Costumes: Blogs of Interest

As you can see, I'm slowly catching up on my backlog of textile posts.  My research leads me to some lovely and most inspiring sites.  

Whilst searching for some textile blogs, I found these that I think are worthy of sharing.  Great eye candy for sure and so wonderful to see recognition for fibres still produced in the traditional way.  It also made me think that I need to tart up my blog posts a bit – I’m feeling a little pedestrian really…

Anyway, it goes without saying that if you want detailed, learned textile sources then John Gillow’s “World Textiles” would be a handy reference (check Book Depository's excellent selection of craft books) and a good place to start.  Otherwise, here is the link list:

Where Traveler 

Matador Network

Cloth Roads

CN Traveller

Arena Travel

Trendtablet

World 4 EU

TRC Leiden

Now, for some colour and 18th century style, lets visit Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia, United States.  First, the Dye Shop and then the Ladies Dress Shop.

Many Layers of Blue

Atlantic ICW #1

Beaufort, SC 18-20 Apr 2018

From the Bahamas, we hit the US East coast running, with a plan to “do” the complete ICW (Intra-coastal Waterway) between Lake Worth (Florida) and Chesapeake Bay (Virginia).  Our other challenge was to stop over in places we’d not visited before.  The textile search was on again, however, if there’s one thing I’ve learned is that many small communities don’t have/can’t sustain patchwork suppliers.  I can see why mail order is such a big deal in the US.  That said, I discovered a few interesting textile facts along the way.  So, all was not lost.

A well-kept Townhouse in historic Beaufort, SC...nice blue (just not indigo)

Let’s start in Beaufort, South Carolina.  Located on Port Royal Island, it dates from 1512 and was once a busy hub for Low Country produce.  Its delightful riverside setting drew many plantation owners who built townhouses, leaving for us today an inspiring collection of antebellum mansions. 

Did you know that the State Colour of South Carolina is indigo?  

Flag of South Carolina; public domain image on Wikipedia.

The Beaufort History Museum is located at the historic Arsenal (1798) and it's brimming over with informative exhibits.  Whilst rice was the colony’s economic mainstay building great personal fortunes, indigo is considered the crop that grew the colony in terms of land and population.  Eliza Lucas in 1742 (at the age of 16) is credited with successfully cultivating indigo.  Woad, as it was also known, was well established and growing commercially between 1747-1800.  Indigo production was greatly enhanced by indigo slaves who understood the complex task of processing the dye. 

Facts all learned from our friendly guide at the Beaufort History Museum.  Time well spent!

Indigo dyed fabrics

Spinning Wheel at the Beaufort History Museum

Little Pink Dress

Caribbean & Bahamas

Georgetown 8-10 March 2018

I knew from a previous visit to George Town, Bahamas (in the Exumas) of locally produced batik fabrics.  I was fortunate enough to find at Marilyn's Gift shop a gorgeous little pink cotton dress in Andros Batik and some dotty sandals to match – a nice summery gift for little Miss P.  They also stocked a nice selection of other clothes and decorator products in Bahama's batiks.  The fabric prints and colours just seemed to shout “clear blue waters and sunny skies!” 

The staff were very friendly and explained the story of Andros Batik; it may well be the only locally produced (handmade) dyed fabric range in the Bahamas.  Enjoy their story.  I, as always, am looking for fabric lengths rather than pre-made items.  Why sew a dress when you can make a quilt…right?  Just couldn’t resist a little pink dress though… 

Andros Batik: Bahama Pink Dress

George Town, Exumas, Bahamas

Warderick Wells Land & Sea Park, Exumas, Bahamas

Canaries & Rastas

Canary Islands

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria 17-30 December 2017

Having not had to check in to Madeira (we left from Lagos, Portugal), this "Completing Clearances" process led us to some interesting areas in Las Palmas; probably not ones frequented by most tourists, although not far from the seemingly endless cruise ship dock and the vast behemoths strung to it.  Luckily, we had our trusty bicycles so attending to such chores and indeed prepping up for an on-board Christmas Celebration, was easy.  Bike paths have been well planned through the city enabling us easy access, so we were soon were done with domestic duties and were able to consider time for a little light entertainment too!

Decoration on outside of  buildings in Vegueta. 
Adam & Eve clearly enjoyed draperies of the day too?

The weather was sunny or .... not!  This was not a December beach day, nor the anchorage
the place to be.  Unless you were Christmas cruzin' and dock-side on one of those enormous ships 

The Canaries, or at least that part we saw, are vastly different to Madeira – opposing planets almost.  We felt a car was essential to escape the city surrounds, but neither of us wanted to drive in the Christmas traffic, so stuck to pedal power, back roads and shops within easy reach. 

My guide book and an interesting web site described a walking tour that included the Casa de Colón (Columbus House) and, given we were following in this explorer’s wake, we rode along the grand cornishe to a small museum in nearby Vegueta dedicated to his achievements.  This building was a stately home for the first governors of the island and it is believed that Columbus stayed here in 1492.  It's not hard to imagine these Islands as an essential stop along the voyage to the New World, remembering that Columbus’ wife came from the small island of Porto Santo near Madeira.  Though the Museum is not really a textile find as such, it was interesting to see a reconstruction of Columbus’ cabin on La Niña, admire a collection of really old charts and maps and of course, do a little "snooping" through one of the area’s grand homes to appreciate how life must have been in the 1500's.  

Casa de Colón (Columbus House) main entrance

Reconstruction of Columbus’ cabin on La Niña

Breathtaking timber detail in Casa de Colón (Columbus House)

Life was not all about battles and trading ships.  Ladies of the time would certainly have appreciated silks and an abundance of natural dyes for those glamorous dresses. The Canaries once supported these industries, with a production history that goes back to the 16^th century.  Now however, the Silk Museum in El Paso is (so I’m told) the only place to find a working silk weaving studio.  Cochineal natural dye is another matter and is commercially grown on Lanzarote.  Sadly, there wasn't time to visit either venue due to Christmas closures and our hectic schedule. Well, maybe next time.

Only the best silk for this dress?

Great views from the Cathedral

Watching the dinghy fleet from the Cathedral Bell Tower

Magic Fingers

Burano: Island of Lace Makers

14^th July 2015

Step 1: Take a Vaporetto to the Venetian Lagoon
Islands of Murano & Burano

Step 2. Don't forget to stop off in Murano to see
some real Glass magic too!.

Step 3: The Burano Lace Museum is located in the Piazza
  near the Catholic Church

Skilled craftsmanship. Murano
Glass Table Decorations

Travelling to the islands is such a lovely diversion from bustling Venice.  First, there’s the vaporetto ride across the muddy lagoon bypassing intriguing islands little visited.  

Next, it seems compulsory to undertake a diversionary circuit of Murano with its historic yet bespoke glassmaking furnaces and sparkling showrooms that collide on narrow streets with fellow day tripping visitors. Be amazed by the skilled craftsmanship and versatility of glass.  Little wonder palaces were adorned with it.

Finally, we arrived on Burano to be greeted by the sunshine of colour radiating from Murano’s terraced houses, spreading cheer over cobbled streets and narrow canals. 

Burano’s heyday for needle lace spanned the 16^th to 18^th century, crafts women having been introduced to the skill via links to Cyprus.  In 1872, a school to teach and revive the skill was opened but as with many handmade crafts, its production is time-consuming and therefore costly.  Much of the lace available in those rather too-plentiful souvenir stalls has been made by machine and not on the Island.  It is possible though, to nose about and purchase the real thing - La Perla, Merletti d’Arte Martina & Creazioni Monica have been suggested in my reading material.  What a wonderful way to support a traditional craft and what a treasure to own!

Embroidery & Lace

A well stocked Museum

The Burano Museum and School of Lacemaking is a delightful (and cool) repository of all things lace.  The Museum showcases local talents and a rich legacy that skilled Burano women have created.  It offers examples of the many varieties and uses for lace, explaining that women often specialized in a single stitch.  Apparently, there are seven specific stitches, so I am sure competition was fierce…  Burano’s reputation was so established as a centre for the finest quality lace that Leonardo da Vinci was drawn here in 1481 to purchase a cloth suitable for Milan Cathedral’s main altar. 

How to wear your Lace & Silk with Style

Inspiration Unlimited

I've been sitting on my photos from the Sydney Quilt Show since - when was it - in June 2107!  It was so good to have it back in Darling Harbour.  Our little group made a good day out of the show with some hard-liners going back for another day at least.  

Here are some quilts that I found particularly inspiring...I think I'm a big Jen Kingwell fan too!  Let me say though, the work of Carolyn Sullivan should be inspiration to us all.  

Starting with an Edna Ostrich

Sheep will never be the same!

Carolyn Sullivan

Detail of work involved in Carolyn Sullivan's art works

Who doesn't love a vibrant star?

Scrappy Jen Kingwell pattern

This year, I plan to take a better camera with than just my phone.  See you there...

A Rainbow on Every Corner

Venice, Italy

4-17^th July 2015

Bird's Eye View from the Campanile di San Marco

Riding the Grand Canal in a Vaporetto

Beguiling Venice!  It’s so easy to be overwhelmed in Venice, especially in July – the heat intensified by huge crowds, many in holiday mode.  It’s a frenetic pace, and an island repository of visually stunning beauty housing amazing art & history in every corner, not to mention wondrous structures, old and new.  So, I quite forgot my textile challenge and, as nothing especially reminded me until we stepped off the vaporetto on Burano, I felt quite chastened.

Of course, when I say few textiles, I’m not counting rows of Italian designer boutiques, mansions crammed with all things evocative of wealth and power, religious vestments or art festivals aplenty.  It’s just that it fits in, a hand and glove story if you will, becoming part of Venice’s bold statement about itself, and you don’t want to unravel the strands.

Luxurious Velvet & Textiles on Ceremonial Gondola_Naval Museum

Only the Best Furnishings_Querini Stampalia Museum & Gallery

Mansions are full of great tapestries, lush curtains, upholstery and bedding, complimented by the sheen of silk wallpapers.  Soaring cathedrals and modest basilicas alike are adorned with humble cloth transformed into resplendent precious pieces, heavy in embroidered gold and silver threads. Have I mentioned glass?  Famous Murano is just across the lagoon and its Glass Museum (Museo del Vetro) positively drips with crystalline decadence.  I think I’ve found the modern-day home of Odysseus’s Sirens!

 

Another take on a self-guided tour of traditional fabrics of Venice can be found on this VeneziaSi site.  Yet another site (link) has a brief summary of textile history that I really wish I had read when planning my trip.  This way I might have at least discovered Cà Mocenigo and the Museum of Textiles and Costume.  Grrrr!

Punting the Inner Canals in a Gondola