Caro Higgs – Time #5 – Butterflies
Inspiration from an Indian proverb « The butterfly counts not months but moments and has time enough ».
The idea of drawing attention to the short life of the butterfly really appealed to me and I decided on a rather abstract way in which to depict them. I had been eco-printing and noticed how, to me, bramble leaves ressembled a butterfly; I collected a new batch of leaves and formed ‘butterflies’ on strips of cotton fabric, the width of the strips were restricted to the size of my steamer so I joined them together around a central square which had a net added to the leaves to give further pattern.
The cotton strips were dyed with iron and cutch and then I machine embroidered the pièces together avoiding straight lines, then stitched around the leaves and also added the text. The background was stitched kantha style and then I added the vague body détails.
Butterflies are very appropriate symbols of passage of time but the way you made them is unique. Congratulations on finding new ideas! Hand stitched background makes them to stand out.
You are quite right that the bramble leaves do indeed look like butterflies and I love the way that you have constructed them. This method of eco dying gives lovely soft palette that is perfect for this design. Beautiful stitching too!
I really like the proverb you chose.
And I love your leaf-butterflies. What a great idea! They glow against the background.
How clever to use this bramble leave eco prints as butterflies. Although you used strips this looks like one piece. Lovely how they fly around the text.
You found a novel way of constructing butterflies! Well done! The subtle colors are so appropriate for this piece. Love the hand stitching and the beading. Beautiful piece.
What a thought provoking proverb! I love your butterflies and the clever way that you made them. The kantha stitching is perfect for the background.
This quilt isn’t just visually striking; it’s a physical reminder to slow down and cherish the present. You should be incredibly proud of this beautiful fusion of nature and textile. Just lovely.
Wonderful combination of colours and so different, as when butterflies are mentioned we think of bright colours. beautiful design and workmanship. bravo
What a clever idea to build your butterflies with ecoprinted leaves ! it is very effective.
I also like the colour you achieved for the background.
An effective use of your printed fabrics. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a bramble bush so I need to keep an eye open for them.