As images of the invasion and destruction of Ukraine have flooded our feeds over the last few weeks, we have felt a sense of grief at the unnecessary suffering and death. In addition, we feel a sort of “survivor's guilt” at the helplessness of seeing others suffering with few ways to help or alleviate their pain.
Many have donated to relief organizations, participated in rallies, or worn pins on their clothing to show solidarity with Ukraine. These are small things, but they provide an opportunity to show our support for Ukrainians fighting for their lives and their freedom.
The Ukrainian flag is representative of fields of wheat against a blue sky. Since the invasion, the Ukrainian flag and its colors have become a symbol of solidarity and support for the Ukrainian people, as well as a call for peace. This week we looked through our archives to find quilts we’ve featured that bear the Ukrainian colors as a way to join our voice in solidarity and support of Ukrainians.
Shuffled by Betsy Vinegrad @betsy.vinegrad
Featured in Curated Quilts Issue no. 16, Stripes
Shuffled was inspired by “Black, White,” an interactive collage by Ralph Coburn at the Newark Museum of Art, made in 1961. Vinegrad has since made a bigger version of this quilt that hung in the MQG Showcase at Houston Festival in 2021 and at QuiltCon 2022 in Phoenix.
‘Round About by Diane Trenary
Featured in Curated Quilts Issue no. 16, Stripes
This quilt is particularly fitting for our time as it seems like difficulties in society seem to be regularly coming round and ‘round about’. We prefer this endless quilty maze over pandemics, record breaking weather events, and war.
Sunshine & Honey Plus Quilt by Erika Echols @letterpresserika
Featured in Curated Quilts Issue no. 15, Covid
Echols approached her quilt with the mid-century aesthetic in mind. As she selected the fabric prints she said she could ‘feel the warmth of the sunshine as it grew.’ The quilt emits a feeling of honey dripping on a warm, sunny day as well as a sense of stillness and peace.
Fractured Reality byThe Mighty Small Quilters by Elisa Sims Albury @stitchoutsidetheditch, Lynn Carson Harris @lynncarsonharris, Chawne Kimber @cauchycomplete, & Mary Elizabeth Kinch @maryelizabethkinch
Featured in Curated Quilts Issue no. 12, Half-Square Triangles
After discussing the concept via Skype, the makers of this quilt worked individually to interpret the blocks they had discussed. The individual blocks were then pieced together by Chawne Kimber and quilted by Lynn Carson Harris.
The makers say about the quilt, “The setting for improvisational patchwork and piecing in this quilt created a pattern that recalls images of a fractured mirror. This representation reflects what is happening in our society today and is a call to look at ourselves, own our part, and to ask what we can do to make a positive difference in our world.”
Double Windmillby Shannon Fraser @shannonfraserdesigns
Featured in Curated Quilts Issue no. 12, Half-Square Triangles
Fraser picked the blue and yellow to use in her quilt because they are her father’s favorite colors. He loved the quilt so much when he saw it that she gave it to him as a gift.
Time Portal by Elizabeth Budd @elizabethbudd
Featured in Curated Quilts Issue no. 5, Improv
This ethereal time portal is a tempting one to fall into. Would you go back or forward in time?
My Happy Home by Meredith Sewell @meredithleesewell
Featured in Curated Quilts Issue no. 6, House
Though some of the colors on this quilt are not quite as bright as the Ukrainian flag we felt the quilt as a whole was beautifully representative of what all of us yearn for, a ‘happy home,’ a place where we can peacefully rest and laugh and love our family and friends.
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By Brittany Bowen Burton