Joan Brailsford – Decay #4
Dandelion clock (delicate decay)
This time I have focused on the way that dandelion seed heads gently decay and their seeds drift away on the breeze. I chose strips of fabric in yellow hues as the background, to replicate the colours of dandelions when they are in full bloom, which die away and leave the beautiful delicate seeds heads behind. As children, we called the seed heads dandelion clocks – the game is that when we blow on them, the number of breaths it takes to blow all the seeds is the time of day.
I have included a circular motif of slightly darker fabrics to hint at the way the blooms die, and to emphasise the notion of a clock, and used hand stitched French knots in the centre to hint at the undeveloped seeds. I used a circular machine stitched pattern for the background to suggest a field of dandelions in full bloom. The dandelion stems are couched down and the seed heads are their loose seeds are hand stitched.
I think that the seed heads and flying seeds may be difficult to see because of the background yellow colours, but I find the whole quite peaceful and that echoes the peaceful and quiet way that the flowers decay.
Detail view:
FIFTEEN BY FIFTEEN 
I love dandelions and I love your dandelion quilt. The joiful yellow background reminds me of the time when dandelions bloom in spring and make me happy about coming summer. I also like the use of seed beads for dandelion seeds flying away. Lovely work.
Love this delicate piece there is so much precise detail. the seeds really draw one’s eye toward the delicate feathery wind borne fronds. A lovely piece of work.
“Delicate” is really the right word to describe this piece.
The vibrant colors go well with the motif you have chosen.
Your stitching is beautiful! Love all the detail.
The delicate nature of your composition is very calming. Yellow is fun to work with and you have done a good job with it. The symbolism is intriguing.
A very delicate and poetic way to represent Decay ! There is a great harmony between the colours and your stitching is beautiful as usual.
Great subject, it certainly a delicate plant. Your choice of colour is something to think about as it is a juxtaposition to the drabness of decay. Wow
A very calm and dainty piece of work. The colours are lovely and the allusion to the dandelion clock brings back childhood memories. But my favourite feature is the wonderful stitching of the seeds and their parachutes. Beautiful work.
Such a delicate and harmonious piece of work. The first I learned about the childhood game, unique to the UK maybe? Many beautiful details, the flying seeds with their parachutes are my favorite! Lovely.
I love your choice of colours and your representation of the dandelions. Beautiful stitching and attention to details. Great composition. Excellent work! Bravo!
A fascinating subject, it tells a story, and with the help of the stitching, we can imagine the end of the plant towards decline. The colors are very good for completing the story.
I love all of it: the colors, composition, stitching. So nice!!! Our childhood game was to blow away all the seedheads in one time: then you could make a wish.
Very harmonious and delicate piece. Beautiful choice of color and intriguing handstitching for the seed heads. The circular machine quilting creates a very beautiful texture. Love it.
Unique interpretation of decay, from the different stages of the cheerful yellow blossoms of the dandelion to the fragile white puffballs. Love the texture of the quilting and the delicate hand stitching. Well done.
Beautiful, delicate decay!