Early on in my research I came across a Scottish proverb, first recorded in 1628, that said "if wishes were horses, beggars would ride". For some reason the proverb stuck in my head and I kept coming back to it as the basis of my challenge quilt.
So, here is my "Beggars would ride" quilt for this quarter's challenge.
The "Beggars Badges" being tossed from the horse are made from tea light holders and a soft drink can, which were embossed and then die-cut. Beggars Badges did exist in Scotland around the time of the proverb, and there are apparently three examples in Glasgow Museums from Rothesay, which is not too far from home. I was delighted to be able to make that local connection for this quilt.
When I pulled the fabric for this quilt I wanted the colour graduation to represent the progression from town to country that access to a horse would provide. It was a very grey day when I photographed the completed quilt so the photo above is a more true representation of the colours in the final quilt.
The quilting too changes from the almost square grid of cobblestones (seen behind the Beggars Badges) to the fan shaped rolling hills above.
My original intention was to have several, smaller horses galloping across the quilt but I decided that one rearing horse figure had more impact, especially on the back of the quilt that you can see here. The horse is hand-dyed silk appliqued and then raw edge stitched. The mane is machine stitched using three shades of grey thread and the tail is couched grey embroidery cotton and textured embroidery threads.
This Endeavourers Challenge has once again been a joy to take part in. I never know at the start of each quarter quite where the challenge will take me, but I always enjoy the journey! Thanks to Catherine and Janine for organising yet another great challenge.
Head on over to Celtic Thistle Stitches to read more about the making of this quilt
I love it Fiona. Very inventive using tea lights and a drinks can for the badges and I really like the horse quilting.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ruth, I was pleased with how the embossed tin turned out. I have had the card embossing pad for years and this is the first time that I have ever used it!
ReplyDeleteGreat minds! Your horse is wonderful and I love the badges. I also enjoyed your design choices of indicating the possibility of journeying from town to country through the gradations of colour and the contrast of the square to curved quilting. I am looking forward to visiting you blog to see more details :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Janine, you were much braver than me with several horses! The badges were fun to make but tricky to stitch down :)
DeleteThere are so many thoughtful details in your quilt - it's wonderful! I love the beggars' badges and the graduation of colour - so clever!
ReplyDeleteThanks Catherine, I really enjoyed planning this quilt once I had the idea of interpreting the proverb.
DeleteGreat horse and I learned something - about the beggar badges.
ReplyDeleteThanks Debbi these challenges are always learning experiences I have found
DeleteFiona, the amount of thought you put into the representation of the story you are telling and your fearless taking up of the Challenge part of the exercise never fails to amaze me! I am far less fearless in trying new techniques. But, in my defense, I had never done an entire fusible appliqué quilt before this challenge. (And, I won't be doing another one any time soon! LOL!) I love the pink of the badges and the muted but shimmery tones of the fabrics. Yay on you! Well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks Maureen the trying of new techniques is often better described as ignorance rather than fearlessness :) I have to admit that the storytelling aspects of the challenges through the quilts is definitely my favourite part of the process.
DeleteI learned quite a bit from this post; I had never heard of Beggar's Badges. Interesting! You put so much thought into your work, it's quite fascinating. Nice work, Fiona!
ReplyDeleteThanks Wendy, I knew that I wanted to represent the beggars with the badges once I had decided on using the proverb for the theme, so I was delighted when they worked out!
DeleteI saw the post on your personal blog first and my best comment was left there. I had never heard heard the saying before I read it on your blog. You illustrated the Challenge perfectly.
ReplyDeletexx, Carol
Thanks Carol, I hand't come across the proverb before either even although it has been around in my part of the world for nearly 400 years!
DeleteBeautiful quilt Fiona with a bit of history behind it. I've never had that proverb before so it was nice to learn more about it. You did a marvelous job. Every detail is so well executed. The badges are amazingly crafted.
ReplyDeleteThanks Martha deciding what to make for each theme is always challenging but isn't that what being part of this group is all about :)
DeleteYour horse is beautiful, and I love the way that the beggars' badges are subtly echoed in the fabric choices. And no beggars are riding so I think your piece points out that we can't rely on just wishing for what we want! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Gwen, I hadn't thought of the missing beggar in those terms but I certainly agree with the sentiment!
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