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The Mourning Project: One Day II

This 24 x 48” version of The Mourning Project:  One Day features 63 pairs of handmade baby booties, one little elegy for each child lost before their first birthday every day in the US.  It is a tiny portion of the 20,000 pairs we are collecting from makers all over the world to draw attention to the infant mortality rate in this country.

This version of the project will be at the Norfolk D’Art Center in Norfolk, VA for their Materials II exhibition, from October 10th, 2020-November 7th, 2020.  Opening reception is Thursday, October 15 from 5:30-7:30 pm.  The awards will be announced on Facebook Live, so stay tuned!

TMP makers–do you see your booties below?  If not, check out the online installation by clicking here.  Thank you to all who have contributed to save the lives of our most vulnerable citizens.  Join us by submitting your booties today.

 

The Mourning Project: One Day II
The Mourning Project: One Day II, detail 1
The Mourning Project: One Day II, detail 2
Little Elegies, first installation of The Mourning Project

Little Elegies, first installation of The Mourning Project

The Mourning Project is a huge community fiber art project to collect 20,000 handmade baby booties, one for each American infant who dies before her first birthday every year.  The US has the worst infant mortality rate in the developed world.  This project seeks to educate the makers and viewers about the issue, and start a discussion on how we can address this as a country.

The YWCA of Southern Arizona hosted the first installation of The Mourning Project, Little Elegies, April 2019 in Tucson.  By this time makers contribute over 3,000 pairs of handmade baby shoes.  These are some images of the first exhibition.  Future installations will vary by venue as more makers donate booties.

A rare view of the full installation with clouds (3,000 pairs of booties).

 

View of the first installation of The Mourning Project, at dusk.

 

This shot shows the bootie count as of Thursday evening. At takedown, it was 3,223.

 

detail of the the altar cloth, which is a collage of vintage hand-worked linens, over-dyed and stitched boro style.

 

first installation of The Mourning Project, detail

 

Several makers view the installation.

 

View of installation from the altar.

 

Attendees with signage from the installation. Signs educate viewers on the varied causes of infant mortality, and the solutions shown to address each cause.
‘Little Elegies,’ the First Exhibition of The Mourning Project, and the Bootie Haboob

‘Little Elegies,’ the First Exhibition of The Mourning Project, and the Bootie Haboob

Let’s just say it’s been a whirlwind…  It started with the installation, then the exhibition, meeting some of the local makers (two of my sisters flew in for the show), running the panel discussion, and finally, the de-installation.  Phew.  Here are some of the behind-the-scenes moments you might have missed…and did I mention the bootie haboob?

The Plan

This first exhibition, at the YWCA of Southern Arizona, was an outdoor installation.  (Note:  for reasons that will soon be clear, I am re-thinking any future outdoor installations).  Little Elegies would be in a large courtyard surrounded on three sides by brick and mortar, and on one side (the west side) with a steel security fence.

YWCA courtyard, in the rain.

I visited the site multiple times, at different times of day, measured, and carefully sketched out this installation plan:

Installation plan for the first exhibition of The Mourning Project.

The curve of the installation plan follows the curve of the fence.  The 8 foot fence runs all the way down to the cement floor, so no worries about packrats invading the installation and stealing booties (these are the things you must take into account in Arizona).  The forecast was negative for rain, and this being Tucson, you could pretty much depend on that anyway.  A few days before the installation, however, I realized I had not thought about the wind, or even worse:

A haboob.

I checked the weather forecast to see that the maximum winds predicted were 13 mph.  Not exactly a storm, more like a gentle breeze.  I researched fences online that would act as a wind break.  There were none available in Arizona.  I would have to order them, and they would arrive after the opening of the exhibit. I decided to punt and use duct tape and drop cloths if needed to keep the booties from going airborne.  Paper booties were filled with coins to weigh them down.  Ceramic booties helped to weigh down aspects of the installation (like the altar cloth) and stabilize them.

Late on Friday afternoon (March 29), we completed the installation.  The awesome installation team of Mitch Anderson, Ana Martinez, Kathleen Koopman, Janet Windsor, Valerie Galloway put it together in under 4 hours and it looked great.  The question was, would it stay that way until Tuesday morning when the show opened?

Photo by Dan Buckley.

Click here for a link to Dan Buckley’s cool time lapse video of the installation.

The Installation

When I arrived at 9:00 sharp on Tuesday, all was just as we had left it (we had secured the booties and rest of the installation with vinyl drop cloths and heavy rocks).  It looked like I was home free, and the installation was ready for viewing at 9:00 a.m.

The Little Elegies installation, all wrapped up for the night.  It looked the same when I arrived on Tuesday morning.

But about 1:00 on Tuesday afternoon, a gentle breeze blew in.  By 3:00 there was some wind gusts, and the occasional pair of booties went tumbling like so many tumble weeds you see in the old westerns.  I put up the drop cloths behind the fence with duct tape, which promptly fell off.  ( I must have looked quite the sight battling the winds, the drop cloths, and the duct tape all at once.)

The wind came in from the west, directly into the courtyard, and I realized that the focal point of the installation was surrounded on three sides by the screen fence.  So I covered the installation about an hour early, and went home to figure out plan B.

I had dinner that night with my husband and sister Kathleen AKA The Knitting Machine and told them the problem, that I needed ‘something with grommets’ to attach to the fence with zip ties and screen the wind.  They had both used plastic tarps in the past and we headed over to a local hardware store and found just what we needed, in gray.

The next day, The Knitting Machine and I moved the entire installation 20 feet east, where it was better protected from the wind.  Then we installed the tarps behind the existing fence.  All on Wednesday morning, before the winds picked up again.  It was so great to have Kathleen there to help.  She sure knows how to whittle down a To Do List, and she’s fun to hang out with, too.

Thursday was busy with preparation for the panel discussion.  Panelists Bonita Katz of the International Childbirth Education Association, Stacie Wood, TMC’s Perinatal Safety Officer, and Laura Vargas, March of Dimes Advocacy Fellow gave great presentations on how we can begin to make improvements in our infant mortality rate.  Click here for an edited video of the discussion and learn more about the problem.

Friday morning we had a bunch of local makers in for a photo shoot with the installation.  Stay tuned for a picture of that.  In the meantime, here are some views of the installation throughout the week.  Scroll down to see some of my photos of the installation.  And then you can read about the BOOTIE HABOOB.

There are three banners that accompany the installation. This one describes the installation, and the other two discuss the problem of infant mortality.

A rare view of the full installation with clouds. Banners designed by Janet Windsor flank the installation.

 

We added booties to the installation every day as makers came to see the installation.

 

This shot shows the bootie count as of Thursday evening. At takedown, it was 3,223.

 

Detail of a corner of the altar cloth. The cloth is made of vintage handworked linens that were over-dyed and collaged together. It is patched in the Japanese boro style. Maker Merle Eintracht’s quote is embroidered on a vintage baby dress. Crochet work is overlaid over the base cloth, which includes many hand-embroidered, pieced, and applique textiles.

 

My favorite view of the installation, at dusk, by candlelight.

 

My sisters Nanci (left) and Kathleen (right) came in for the installation. Together, they have made about 500 pairs booties (so far!).

No Booties Were Harmed

So, all of that happened, and Friday passed without windy incident.  Until about 4:00 on Friday, the exhibition over, and it was time to start collecting the booties.  The sky had started to darken.  By 4:30, half of the booties were packed.  Then a HUGE gust of wind came from the east, behind and up and over the building, and it swept a whole bunch of booties around the altar and up against the fence.  It happened in about two seconds.  And I so wish I had video of the bootie haboob to show you, but you will just have to imagine 1,500 booties tumbling in the wind.

It was just one hellacious gust, and we (JK, Nanci, Kathleen and I) scrambled to collect them all. No harm was done.  All the booties were collected and undamaged.  I have a better idea to hold the booties down IF there is another outdoor installation.

Do you see your booties in these photos?  Please make some more!  Make them black, white, and gray, knit, sewn, or crocheted.  Be sure to send in your booties by Mother’s Day, May 12, and we will extend the deadline if necessary.  We still need 20,000 more pairs to honor each American baby who dies each year.  I know you will want to be a part of this important project.

And thank you to all the makers who have submitted booties to date!  The Mourning Project is possible with you.

PS–Watch this blog and our Facebook page for professional photos of the exhibition.  I’ll be using those to apply to different venues for the exhibition around the country.  If you have an idea about where we should apply, let me know!

“My love is in every stitch.”

“My love is in every stitch.”

‘My love is in every stitch.’

It was so touching to get this box of 20 little elegies.  Merle Eintracht made each one in memory of Courtney Marie Campary. Merle heard about TheMourningProject.com‘s goal to collect 20,000 baby booties from her neighbor.  Courtney was the beloved daughter of Kirsten and Phillip. Merle labelled each pair of baby booties, noting Courtney ‘was born sleeping on November 24, 2010. While her time with us wasn’t what we’d hoped for, her life is impacting us in profound ways.’

Merle continues: ‘At the time of Courtney’s birth, I had no idea of what I could do to lessen Kirsten’s pain. You project has allowed me to help in a meaningful way. I have sent photos to Kirsten every step of the way. The booties have both overjoyed her and made her cry all over again.

Kirsten will NEVER forget her little girl.

Your project will have many more people know that Courtney Marie Compary was the long awaited daughter of a couple who have endless love for each other and will forever have endless love for Courtney.’

I have no words for the generosity of spirit in Merle’s contribution to TheMourningProject.com. But that generosity extends to Kirsten as well.  She has gone on to help others who have lost their little ones. You can read the amazing story here.

It is stories like these that remind me how personal this project is for so many people, and how the lives of these lost little ones impact so many.  I am so grateful that the project touches so many hearts.  It is the first step to changing the world.

To get learn more or get involved, click on TheMourningProject.com tab above.
Heartbreaking and Heartwarming

Heartbreaking and Heartwarming

Heartbreaking, and Heartwarming

TheMourningProject.com

My friend Trish told me a story this week that both broke and warmed my heart.  She lives in Three Points, Arizona.  It is a literal wide spot in the road with a population of about 5500 people.  Most residents know each other through the churches or other organizations.  Trish is a big fan of TheMourningProject.com and has been talking and writing in the local newsletter about it.  She told me that, recently, a Three Points mom lost her three day old daughter to hydrocephalus.  The whole town grieves with this mother and are supporting her as she tries to recover from this terrible loss.  When they heard about The Mourning Project, local volunteers pledged to make 100 pairs of baby booties in memory of this one beloved child.

This love and generosity brings tears to my eyes.  Trish’s story reminds me that this project is about so much more than one person or a cause.  It is about all of us coming together to acknowledge our loss, and begin to heal, and right this wrong so that it doesn’t happen needlessly to any parent.

So for all of you working on your baby booties, thank you.  Together, we are going to make a difference.

 

 

 

 

Quilt Fiesta is here!

Quilt Fiesta is here!  As usual, I have been busy in the dye studio getting ready to stock my booth for the big show.  I look forward to this weekend all year.  It’s a chance to see my quilt ‘people’ and hang out at our booth with my friend Trish Hastings-Sargent.  Here are a few of the items that will be available at the the show….As always, I have some new styles and color combinations this year.  Hope to see you at the show!

Some new Shibori Chic scarves will be on offer...prices range from $30-$40.
Some new Shibori Chic scarves will be on offer…prices range from $30-$40.
Love the way this long sleeved T came out of the final dyebath....  It's one of a kind and $45
Love the way this long sleeved T came out of the final dyebath…. It’s one of a kind and $45.
This new twist-front shirt looks great with a scarf.
This new twist-front shirt looks great with a scarf.  $70 if you buy both ($30 for the scarf, $45 for the shirt)

 

A gorgeous one-of-a-kind rust, green, and gold turtleneck.  $45
A gorgeous one-of-a-kind rust, green, and gold turtleneck. $45
This $40 T has been through 3 dyebaths, and looks great with a beautiful, soft rayon knit infinity scarf ($45).
This $40 T has been through 3 dyebaths, and looks great with a beautiful, soft rayon knit infinity scarf ($45).
Pastel peach shirt $(45) and elegant drapey infinity scarf ($45).
Pastel peach shirt $(45) and elegant drapey infinity scarf ($45).

 

And of course, I will be selling my new book, Wild and Wonderful 3-D Quilts, too.
And of course, I will be selling my new book, Wild and Wonderful 3-D Quilts, too.

Quilting Tip #15–Manly Tools

My must-have specialized tool #372:  A ‘manly’ magnetized dish from the hardware store for my pins.  It’s huge, and sticks to various places on your machine when you need it to.  If you do spill pins, it makes picking them all up easier.

It is usually cheaper than the silly plastic pink things with a tiny magnet that craft superstores sell.  I also store my machine needles and screwdriver there, so they are convenient and easy to find for each machine.

This great little tool will stick to your rollers as you pin the quilt.
This great little tool will stick to your rollers as you pin the quilt.

Quilting Tip#14: Stabilizing your Quilt

Stabilizing the quilt:  This is pretty straightforward for most quilts.  If you are using a domestic or George-type machine, you will want to pin or baste the top, batting and backing together.  A longarmer can do this for you quickly and at a very reasonable price.

Chemical/glue/fusible  basting is problematic because you are putting some kind of chemical on the quilt, and these have a tendency to gum up your needles.

Like many longarmers, I float the quilt top, which means I attach the backing only to the machine, layer on the batting and top and baste those edges down.  I quilt the area under the machine throat, advance the quilt, and baste again as I go.  The only time I have had a problem doing it this way is with large medallion quilts, where the borders get increasingly smaller as you approach the center.  I sometimes ended up with pleats on the backing of larger quilts.

To avoid this heartbreak, I took a tip from Sharon Schamber and baste a stitch line across the width of the quilt each time I advance it, before that section is quilted.  Works like a charm every time, no matter how densely I quilt the sections!

Quilting Tip #13: Taking the Lead

My least favorite part of the longarm quilting process is pinning the backing on the canvas leaders.  With my velcro leaders, I can pin the quilt back to the machine more easily, and even do it while I am waiting for my IntelliQuilter to finish a row on another quilt or am out of the studio entirely.

Zipper leaders are another option, but velcro allows you to make slight adjustments in quilt back tension while the quilt is on the machine.  Keep in mind that different leaders have different requirements that will affect the size backing you need to attach quilts to your machine.

There is yet another product on the market:  Leadermate.  Haven’t seen this one in action yet.  Have you?

For side clamps, there are options like Snappers.  I tried a similar product a few years ago, but it just didn’t last long before it split and was useless.  Also, when a client brings me a short back, my machine was in danger of sewing right through the plastic.  It did this a number of times, ruining my needle.  I ended up going back to the tried-and-true clamping method.

What do you use to attach a quilt to the longarm?

Quilting Tip #8: Burs under your Saddle

Another cause of top thread shredding can be caused by a broken needle: a ‘bur’  on the thread path.  A ‘bur’ is a tiny bit of displaced metal, made when your needle hits anything but the hole in the throat plate it is supposed to go through.  It is when your formerly pointy needle gets flattened at the end.  That metal goes somewhere, and it becomes a bur.

Yes, this is just as bad as a bur under your saddle….

You will find the bur on the tip of your needle, and whatever your needle hit.  If the bur is on your needle, replace it.  If your thread path has a bur on it, you need to buff that out.

Over time, and after a needle break, a bur can form anywhere along the thread path, so you need to search carefully, feeling along the thread path with a nylon stocking over your finger to see if it snags anywhere.

If the stocking snags, you know you have a bur.  Buff out the bur with a fine grit (800 or so) sandpaper.

Happy trails!