Iōta Quilt {Cherokee Leaf Pounding}

Oh, where to begin? I’m not quite sure, honestly. The way things have evolved with this quilt makes me think it was getting ready to be birthed long before I thought to do it. For the sake of avoiding my metaphysical insights, here’s the gist. I was asked to quilt something to do with human rights, by my professor, as part of my final class assignment. I’d like to pause and mention what a gift it is for someone in this modern age to stop and notice the significance of quilting. It really touched me that my skills and interests were considered “tangible”, because they are without a doubt very practical and historically grounded.

So, where was I?

I was given the flexibility to research and figure out what I wanted to do, which took me a lot of time. I thought about entering human rights quilting contests, but the timing never worked out. After going in circles, I stopped and concentrated on my first paper. The topic question was, “Is Cultural Genocide Possible?” My response isn’t important, but it made me reflect upon my own culture and question what active part do I take in remembering my ancestors? Sadly, the answer was nothing. Now consciously aware, I felt compelled to change my answer “nothing” to “something”, even if it was just a “little” something.

I am 1/16th Cherokee American Indian. This is a photo of my great-great-grandfather, Henry Martin, who is 100% Cherokee. My grandma Wanda, my mom’s mother, is his granddaughter. She helped me track down this photo and told me a bit about them. They are from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. The link between my heritage and quilting was still a mystery at this point, but I knew I wanted to focus on a connection between the two for my final project. Many hours of hunting led me to the perfect project, a Cherokee Leaf Pounding quilt. Although I don’t know much about my ancestors, this quilt was created in remembrance of my family and the tremendous loss American Indians faced in the wake of colonialism. It is my belief that by constructing this quilt, I am preserving a Cherokee craft and thus, my own heritage because every iōta counts!

But wait, how did I land on Cherokee Leaf Pounding? Well, Pinterest if you can believe that! I searched “Cherokee Quilts” and low and behold, Cherokee Leaf Pounding was there in all it’s glory. The few pinterest links all directed me to Bettye Kimbrell a master folk artist quilter. She teaches classes in Alabama on leaf pounding and was commissioned to quilt a Cherokee Leaf Pounding quilt by the Birmingham Museum of Art. Here’s a little sneak peak at her art and sweet personality.

Luckily for me, I found her phone number online and when I called, she answered…ack! I was so excited and had fun sharing a little background about what I was doing. She was happy to help and gave me the ins and outs of the process. Armed with her support, I started.

Supplies:

√ 100 % Cotton/Unbleached Muslin – It’s not necessary to pre-wash or dry.

√ Leaves – I was told to find softer textures and deep colors. However, each leaf is very unique and you don’t quite know what will result…but that’s the fun part.

√ Hammer – The pounding needed to be gentle, yet firm. You’ll angle the hammer and pound away, but not hard enough to damage the fabric.

√ 2 ” Masking Tape – Each leaf will be taped into place and completely covered with tape.

√ Wooden Cutting Board – I found that the thicker the better. Note…if you decide to pound on cement…you will make holes in your fabric! Yes, I learned the hard way!

√ Vinegar – You’ll soak your fabric in a 3 to 1, water to vinegar solution once you’re done for about an hour.

Ready? Set. GO!

Lots of Leaves {Note: Cut as you go = BEST!}

Muslin + Fern + Masking Tape

Hammer Away {Gently} = Chlorophyll Dyed Fabric

Remove the Masking Tape

Leaf Sticks on Tape {Mostly…}

Leaf Residue on Fabric {Will Wash Out Later}

My Mom & Me

Once you’re done decorating your fabric, you’ll soak the fabric in the vinegar/water solution for at least 1 hour. At that point, rinse and hand wash with a little water and dish soap. This is the point where you can work off the leaf residue. If it refuses to all come off, don’t fret. I threw mine in the dryer and it dehydrated and flaked off. Now it’s ready to quilt.

Jean Back + Top {No Batting/Personal Preference} + Basting Spray

6″ Grid for Quilting {Disappearing Ink}

Officially Time to Move to the Bigger Table

Orange Peel Quilting {Alternative &  My Preferred Technique}

Binding Selection, Robert Kaufman’s Flower Child, by iōta

Binding

Now, this was quite a “spirit” moment. When the time came to pick the binding fabric, I headed to my cabinets where I have fabric bursting at the seams! I was looking for something patterned and full of color. After looking at many options, I settled on this spiraled pattern that reminded me of dream catchers. It went right into the wash and dryer without getting a good once over. In case you didn’t know, all fabrics have a designer, collection title, and specific name printed on the selvage. This particular fabric was designed by iōta, which means “a very small amount”. This was not intentional at all! I literally jumped with joy at this happenstance. This fabric choice couldn’t have been more perfectly synced to my theme. Once my heart palpitations calmed, I decided to make a tag and use it instead of my “TipToeTango” branding. It’s perfect because this quilt isn’t about ME…it’s a MESSAGE, “Every iōta makes a difference!” Oh, sweet joy!

Machine Quilted & Bound

Next, Washed {To remove the not so disappearing ink}

Finished Quilt Top

Close Up 1

Close Up 2

Finished Quilt Back

Festive Binding + Selvage Tag {Genius, I tell you}

Now, before you assume this was my first attempt, let me inform you that is not the case. Prior to this quilt, my daughter and I did a test sample. This difference was the size + I used batting. You can see how the batting puffed out after being free motion quilted. Although I liked the look, I felt it was distracting to the print. This is precisely why I decided to use a thicker material in the back {jean} and eliminate the batting. Additionally, I loved the overall vibe so much that I wanted to jump into a larger project immediately. The Iōta quilt top lays very flat and the print is visible…maybe so much so that the quilting isn’t evident from a distance. I may need to try another method because I think somewhere in between would be perfect. However, here’s our first run & it’s yet to be bound, but Carmen {my 8 year old daughter} has claimed it for her cabbage patch doll.

Carmen

First Cherokee Leaf Pounding Quilt & WIP

That’s a wrap. I sure hope you enjoyed this journey. The process has become addictive for me and I have plans for the next quilt. On another more personal note to my dear professor…I want to personally thank you for challenging my writing, awareness, and creativity over the last 3 1/2 years. You’ve not only introduced me to various human rights topics over the years, but you’ve armed me with confidence that I didn’t previously have. Believe me, writing has always scared the CRAP out of me and your warm and helpful spirit is perfectly suited to deal with doubtful students, such as myself. Every returned assignment presents an opportunity not only to see where I can improve, but encouragement and a genuine interest from you. I hope you’ll see that in this task, I’ve worked to give you back what I feel you have given to me over these years, which is a heart felt gift expressed through a true labor of love. I’m sure there are many days where you’re not motivated or discouraged by disinterested students, but I want you to know that you’ve made a difference for me. I appreciate you and I will miss seeing you in class. But, I have to celebrate this time for me as I move forward in life. Again, thank you for facilitating an enriched college experience. You’ll always hold a dear place in my heart.

I bet you didn’t know I thought so highly of you…but, I always have. You’re special. Remember that!

Love, Robin Correa

Yigaquu osaniyu adanvto adadoligi nigohilvi nasquv utloyasdi nihi

{May the Great Spirit’s Blessings Always Be With You}