The Piñata Quilt by Jane Tenorio Coscarelli

For my 6th and final challenge, I’ve chosen the book “The Piñata Quilt”.  Since Jane’s birthday is in October, I’ve saved this book for last.  In each of Jane’s bilingual books she would include a story, a recipe and a quilt pattern.  This book includes instructions on how to make a piñata and a quilt pattern using the paper piecing method.

The Piñata Quilt by author-illustrator Jane Tenorio-Coscarelli offers a heart warming look at a Mexican-American family through the eyes of an aunt who has prepared a special gift for her nephew’s birthday.  As Tia Lilly wraps Alberts 18th birthday present, she reminisces about the story behind the gift. She remembers that she was still a young woman when little Albert learned a valuable lesson about selfishness, honesty and love.  Albert, knowing his Tia would make a perfect piñata, devised a plan to keep all his piñata treasures for himself. However, Albert had not counted on the depth of his love for his Tia and the pull of his conscience.  To their surprise, but not Albert’s, the piñata would not break.  When he sees his beloved Tia shrink in embarrassment, he confesses that it was his fault.  Albert admits to adding more glue to the paste when she was not looking so it wouldn’t break.  Now, years later, Tia Lilly’s aged fingers have recorded the story in a beautiful piñata quilt she wraps for Albert.

Jane’s watercolor illustrations, enhanced by pen and ink, provide an authentic expression of the colorful world of Mexican American Culture.  There is also a special touch of a little mouse that is hidden on each illustration, which invites the reader to a meticulous review of the illustrations. I too have hidden a mouse in each quilt.

I used commercial fabrics, felt and continued the use of black thread to give the feel of illustrations. I created a miniature paper pieced piñata, instead of a mini quilt.  Free motion machine quilted, eyelash yarn, jute rope, raw edge appliqué, shiny beads were added to give the idea of candy bursting out of the piñata and finally the butterfly representing my dear friend Jane.  Happy Heavenly Birthday Jane.