The Cork Oaks
48 x 38 in (122 x 98 cm)
Commercial dye-painted cotton, imported Malaysian batik, commercial cotton prints.
Cotton batting; cotton, rayon, polyester, and silk threads
Hand appliquéd, machine pieced, machine quilted
The linear motifs and the colors of the dye-painted fabric were reminiscent of newly harvested cork oak trees that I had photographed in Italy. The circular elements are cut from a Malaysian batik and represent cross sections of the trees. As this quilt was being completed, I discovered that the primary dye-painted fabric began to deteriorate and fade, and I immediately began a campaign to find answers. Persistent research eventually determined that it was a manufacturing flaw. I am currently experimenting with fabric paints to restore some of the color.

Click here for a detail image.