Caro Higgs – Decay #4 -Teasels
I have loved teasels since childhood and I was inspired this one which I photographed because it was half-way decayed.
Continuing with decay in nature, a process which is totally natural and inevitable. Teasels were a part of my walks as a young child and I am drawn to those plants when the flower heads turn to seed heads much more than when they had their delicate blue flowers. It is a subject I have worked with previously and seemed an obvious choice particularly when I found one which was half way to decaying.
I painted some Egyptian cotton and then appliquéd the seed head on to the background by machine. The background was a piece I had in my stash and which seemed to resemble harvested cornfields which are often the backdrop for teasels, some of the print lines have been hand stitched to give more texture and then I added hand stitched teasel heads.
FIFTEEN BY FIFTEEN 
Aren’t you afraid to touch your quilt without being pricked? You have done a really great job with all the tiny applique pieces of prickls and hand stitching. Love your quilt!
This is truly beautiful work!
The appliqué is very nicely done. The same goes for all the hand stitched details – exquisite!
I also love teasels, having just discovered them growing along a rugged shoreline. The use of color is spot-on and your applique work is awesome.
Your decaying teasel is very elegant and your stitching is impressive !
I also like the hand stitched teasel heads. Very interesting piece.
I agree with you that teasel heads are beautiful and much more interesting than when in flower. This is a spectacular representation of its decay, the colours working perfectly against the empty cornfields. A triumph of stitching, and I love it
Beautiful interpretation, I was in a natural botanic garden last weekend and saw how some of our Banksia and Hakias go through the same process. Suburb quilting.
What a beautiful teasel, even in decay. The detail in the applique and the stitching is superb and I love the little hand stitched teasels. Excellent.
I love teasels as well and have often embroidered them, being such a grateful subject. This half decayed one is beautiful and the colors very special against the cornfield background. Kudos to your hand stitched ones!
Great composition and choice of colours and fabrics. Beautiful stitching and attention to details. Excellent. Bravo!
Beautiful work. I love the delicate background that blends with the flower. The stitching are wonderful. good colours .
A beautiful painted teasel whichis stitched perfectly on the background. The hand stitched teasels are manificent. Bravo!
The shape of your half-way decayed teasel is wonderful and the colors superb. It stands out beautifully against the background color. I am in awe of your hand stitched teasel heads. Awesome work.
I can see why you are drawn to the beautiful decay of the teasel, I had to look it up. The colors really reflect the atmosphere and your meticulous hand stitching gives your piece depth and texture. Amazing piece!
Simply beautiful!