Joan Brailsford – Book #1
Adobe Pueblo
I have always been interested in the history and culture of Native Americans, and have a number of books on the subject and so for my book series, I will be using these as my inspiration. Initially I will be concentrating on two books, “500 Nations” by Alvin M Josephy Jr; and “The Encyclopedia of North American Indian Tribes” by Bill Yenne.
In my first quilt I chose to depict a pueblo, which are in the southwestern part of the USA and although ancient in origin they are still thriving towns, and are the oldest continuously inhabited towns in North America. The pueblos are a complex of adobe house, frequently interconnected and multi-storied, with the roof of one being the patio of the one above it.
I used a variety of hand dyed and commercial fabrics in sandy colours to create the dwellings, and used raw edge appliqué to fix these, to give a rough and ancient look, with doors and windows applied with machine stitching. I used the appliqué stitching to quilt the main buildings. I added a hand dyed foreground with a hand stitched and beaded design that is similar to the designs used on pottery produced by the pueblo’s. I added the same hand stitched motif over the surface of the buildings in a toning thread, to act add further quilting. The sky is machine quilted on hand dyed fabric
Detail views:
FIFTEEN BY FIFTEEN 
This is an interesting subject choice. I love the muted colours and the way that you have quilted the piece. Great work, well done.
I, too, have always been fascinated by Native American history. Their culture and respect for nature and their territory would be an example for many, given the evolution of the world. I love the choice of colours of your fabrics and the design that reflects not the simplicity of their homes but the greatness of their culture and community. Bravo.
Joan “Spider Woman” would inspire you. It is a challenging topic and beginning with the Pueblos is a good choice. Beautiful work.
I will follow your book list with great interest. Don’t know much on your subject but I can see the real pueblo in this piece, great job!
Joan this is a great choice and you treated it so well! I love your choice of colours and the embroideries on the foreground are so effective ! I have been interested by Native american stories and read several novels on the subject but I don’t know a lot about their history. I will follow your work with great interest.
I don’t know the author and his books, but I’m curious to see your works and the way you describe the subject.
Such an interesting choice! Your quilt made me think back to our visit to the Pueblo de Taos ten years ago. Your choice of fabrics and colors is spot on. So recognizable this pueblo! Looking forward to your next works.
As was already stated, yours is an interesting choice of subject. The American Southwest is where I lived my first 10 years and the culture was subtly woven in to everyday life. I like the choice of color and composition. Nice work!
I love how you “build” this little town. The colors are just great. The flowers in front Are the finishing touch.
An interesting theme for your series. The colours in this piece are great and I love the detail in the foreground stitching.
I have been visiting these pueblos and so much loved them. You really caught the atmosphere. I am very much looking forward to your next piece. The flowers and sublte change of color in the foreground gives it depth..
Beautiful colours that portray the colours of the desert Pueblos. Great attention to details and embroidery. Gorgeous!
You’ve captured the characteristics of the multilevel arquitecture along with the beautiful and harmonious earth tones of the Pueblo dwellings. Love how you incorporated the pottery designs into your quilting and hand embroidery. Lovely!