Helen Hazon – Music
Bonnie boat
Inspiration: Based on the Skye Boat Song. Made in cotton with metal foil and nylon/polyester nets.
Inspiration for the Music theme came to me while on holiday in NW Scotland. I knew that I wanted a single song as the basis for my quilt – and there it was in front of me, the Isle of Skye with its distinctive mountains and calm blue sea – on that day anyway!
For those who may not know of the song, The Skye Boat Song is Scottish. It was written in the late 19th century to commemorate the journey of Bonnie Prince Charlie (Charles Edward Stuart) from Benbecula to the Isle of Skye (both are islands in the Hebrides group NW of Scotland) to avoid capture by Government troops after his defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. It’s a very famous song here in the UK with many versions available to listen to on the internet.
The opening lines are:
Speed bonnie boat like a bird on the wing
Onward the sailors cry.
Carry the lad that’s born to be king
Over the sea to Skye
My quilt is mostly cotton with the mountains and boat made from 2 different types of nylon/polyester. I added metal foil for the moon and its reflections and quilted with cotton and metallic threads.
Close up views:
FIFTEEN BY FIFTEEN 
Great mood scene filled with music in the air, love it!
Well captured music and to me it sounds like Moonlight Sonata.
I love it, your image really suits the music and you have managed to capture the mysterious mood of the Scottish mountains.
I like the monochromatic palette and the whole atmosphere of the piece, peaceful and dramatic …
Wow, this is brilliant, but I have Rod Stewart’s song ‘I am sailing” in my head after the first look at your quilt. Helen your execution and use of materials is fantastic.
What a great interpretation of music, love the atmosphere you created with your use of colors in combination with the metallic threads, well done!
WOW! This is fabulous! I also am reminded of a song Christopher Cross sang called “Sailing” in the 1970’s. One line says ” Sailing, take me away to where I’m going…” The assymetrical border was the perfect addition.
Lovely how you used the transparant materials. I also like the left part with the stitched music.
Beautiful interpretation of the theme. your stitching is incredible. Well done!
My dad used to sing this song to me when I was little, so it has a special place in my heart. You have captured the story by setting the boat in a night-time atmosphere. Well worked and beautiful piece.
Using the monochromatic color palette gives this piece such a mysterious feeling. The music notes on the left complements it. The metal foil of the moon is a beautiful eyecatcher. Very well done.
I first heard a version of this song when I was binge watching Outlander. Such a beautiful and mesmerizing melody, just like your interpretation of music. Well done Helen!