Sunday 7 November 2021

A walk on the dark side

 New day, new pile of  shirts. 

A couple of weeks ago, just as I was finishing the last top, I read a piece in the paper about doing things outside in the dark.  At the top of the piece was a quote from a poem by Wendell Berry:
To go in the dark with a light is to know the light
To know the dark, go dark. Go without sight,
and find that the dark too blooms and sings,
and is travelled by dark feet and dark wings
And just like that, an idea for a quilt was born. I gathered up all the darks that I could find.  Instead of using them to extend the value range in a pile of mid-value shades, I wanted to see what I could do by using them all together.

Mostly, as you probably know, I start with a pile of shirts and not much else.  Strangely this time, I have not just the quote above floating around in my head but also was this image of a building in Liverpool, which I had saved recently. It seems to me that maybe these two ideas belong together.

So off I go, inspired by doors and the dark.  I know already that I can't make a whole quilt just of doors (remember my short attention span?) but I have started off with these.

15 comments:

Paulette said...

I'm so excited about this quilt!

nancy said...

I love seeing where your mind travels!

Robin said...

What a wonderful poem and inspiration. Can't wait to see what this leads to as the beginning doors are very intriguing.

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

Value is relative and I'm excited for you to explore those subtle variations. Also, lovely doors and I look forward to seeing what bridges them all together.

Shelina said...

I really like the dark doors. I guess if you don't want to make just doors, you could add some windows or a city scape.

patty a. said...

I will be fascinated to watch how this project develops.

Ann said...

This will be an interesting exercise. There are several very dark Amish quilts I’ve admired for years.

Kim said...

Lots and lots of doors, how exciting and especially so in those fabrics. I always wonder what is hidden behind doors. I am always fascinated in where inspiration for quilts come. I am excited about this new one of yours, Kaja.

Anonymous said...

I love how your brain works!
Kathleen - kakingsbury at verizon dot net

Kat Scott said...

Such an interesting journey this one will be.... (:

Mystic Quilter said...

Yes, yes, yes - I love your exciting idea Kaja, the doors are beautiful!! The quote you've shared is very moving and thought provoking. I love the dark night sky, looking at the moon and stars, I could spend hours sitting outside on the deck vin the dark just drinking in the peace. I'm looking forward to seeing this new quilt grow!

Mystic Quilter said...

Just brought up the piece in the paper and will red it properly later, stunning photographs!

Doris said...

Darkness an interesting start.... And it is dark, really. I just thougt about: if to bring a little light in it will concentrate the dark oder destroy it. Looking forward to see the process.

audrey said...

This is such an interesting start! I love the moody look to it already.:)

O'Quilts said...

Oh, my Kaja....your mind working non-stop...and, in the dark!!