Skip to main content

Boutis Solstice Stars

A Pocketful of Starlight

When the lovely Lady H (grand daughter extraordinaire) made her debut into the world on the winter solstice of 2014,  the quilt to mark her arrival was filled with a galaxy of stars to wish upon.
 

To make sure she never runs out of stars upon which to wish, on each winter solstice another star will be added to the collection. The label on the back of the quilt was made into a little pocket; a place she can safely keep these wishes and promises.

Winter Solstice Star 2014
Her arrival was marked by a quote from William Shakespeare.

Year 1 (below) was celebrated with beading and hand embroidery.

Winter Solstice 2015.

Year 2 is coming up very quickly, and boutis will mark this years celebration. Some beading and embroidery will very likely will likely find it's way into the design as well.

Made with a fine Swiss batiste it will have a white top and ochre back with gold embellishments.

Below is a variation of the same star set into a circular border of "point de vauvert", (the same pattern surrounding the perimeter of  the saffron rose window shade). A little too large for the "pocket", this white on white boutis ornament could swing in a window like a dream catcher, or it could  be a new addition to the Christmas tree.


These stitch up fairly quickly, so there's a good chance they will be finished on time.



Labels:

Comments

  1. AnonymousNovember 12, 2016 at 3:51 AM

    I LOVE this quilt and hope it has been well used! Your star theme is delightful and I adore the new boutis star you are making! Would love to make one of those for myself!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Seams FrenchNovember 14, 2016 at 7:18 PM

      Thanks Karen. The star sews up very quickly and I would be happy to share it with you.

      Delete
  2. MonicaNovember 14, 2016 at 4:55 PM

    Hard to believe you are making your third one of these already! Does it seem like a short or long time to you? I think it will be very grounding to find yourself making these as the years go on. And I know Lady H will love them too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Seams FrenchNovember 14, 2016 at 7:15 PM

      When you said 3rd star, I had to stop and think, 3rd? She will only be 2. But yes 3, one when she was born, and one for each birthday, and she will be two. And yes, the two years have gone incredibly fast.

      I love the idea of making a star at every birthday. It's a wish and a promise, one I look forward to giving every year.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Tristan Quilt at the V & A

On our recent visit to London, one of our first stops was at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Established in 1852 and named for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, who were strong supporters of it's founding, the museum is a facility that is both educational and cultural, and open to everyone. It is here, in the "Medieval and Renaissance Gallery" that I finally saw the "Tristan Quilt", one of the earliest surviving quilts showing stuffed, corded whitework (known as "Boutis" in France). A Chihuly chandelier hangs in the grand lobby of the Victoria and Albert Museum. Medieval needlework was often a medium for storytelling. It told of wars and conquests, heros and warriors, love won and love lost, etc. Myths and legends were recorded for future generations through the nimble fingers of the artisans. Through the intricately depicted figures stitched into the Tristan Quilt, this classic Norman legend follows Tristan into battle...
6 comments
Read more

Boutis: Traditional French Needlework

" Piqûre de Marseilles" or "Boutis" is a traditional French hand stitched and corded needlework technique, which uses embroidery stitches to create intricate channels that will later be stuffed with yarn, thereby creating a raised design with three layers. It's origins, and it's name, can be traced to the port of Marseilles in southern France to the 15th century. Traditional boutis was a technique invented to embellish otherwise plain white cotton with intricately patterned channels that would later be stuffed with a plump white yarn to give it relief. The resulting corded whitework created an elegant, embossed textile that was much sought after. Not only was it aesthetically appealing, but it also provided warmth and absorbency, so could be used for bed coverings, toilette linens (like towels), clothing items, home decor, etc. The first two photos below are from the collection of Mme. Monique Alphand, a well known French expert and collector of antique t...
3 comments
Read more

Hawaiian Applique Quilting

While on a family vacation in Honolulu, Hawaii just before Christmas, my daughter and I managed to squeeze in a class teaching the basics of traditional Hawaiian quilting. At the end of the class, we both had a 22" x 22" cushion size Hawaiian Applique quilt ready to stitch. The coral coloured "Ulu" pattern below is my daughter's project.  Traditionally, the ulu is the first quilt made for the home to ensure that there will always be food on the table. The "Ulu" (Breadfruit) pattern, designed by John Serrao. It's the designs of these applique quilts that make Hawaiian quilts unique. Each pattern is individual to the maker of the quilt and symbolizes who they are. Although many of the patterns use a similar motif or symbol, (for example the "Ulu" pattern), when adapted by the quilter, it becomes personal to that quilter and unlike any other version. Ideally, each quilter should create her own design, but beginner's are gi...
9 comments
Read more