Smoke Signals

Continuing with my chosen theme of Communications, I’ve moved forward in time to the era of smoke signals. The Plains Indians used this form of communication, though it was also used in the past by the Chinese who built fires on the Great Wall. Basically, a fire that would create a lot of smoke was built in a high location, usually a mountain top, bluff or cliff. The physical location of the fire was the indicator of its importance – high on the bluff or cliff meant the message was very urgent. Three puffs of smoke would mean that danger is near while two would mean that all is well.

Materials used in my quilt were commercial cottons and hand-dyes. The smoke is created from dryer lint covered in tulle.