Sunday, February 8, 2009

Summer Stripes

This summer seemed to be the Summer of the French Canvas Stripe. Everywhere I went I saw these fabulous fabrics! Of course, originally they brought to mind the classic deck chair...

and then...

when I was a child we spent every summer camping in an ancient striped canvas tent serenaded by cicadas . We had some equally ancient folding chairs. My brother retrieved one from storage this January. When he sat in it it collapsed in pieces...

...now I think of a hot, sunny day shopping with my sister-in-law, Kiwi bachs (beach houses) and the nicest laptop bag I've ever seen (and now I can't remember where!).

As I studied these fabrics more closely I realised how amazing the colour combinations are. You know I always fall for a colour scheme! So here, once more, is a quilt from me that owes it's existence simply to beautiful colours.There is no in depth thought behind this, just a celebration of a traditional textile and lazy summer days.

summer stripes2

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Kirsty, I am SO glad that someone celebrated the canvas beach chair. My husband has a lean-to version that sits on the sand and is his second home during the summer months. I studied other beach chairs but the canvas ones seem to have much more character as does your quilt.

Terri Stegmiller said...

Well I certainly don't see many of these types of chairs in my neck of the woods. I definitely hadn't thought about this type of chair. Although truth be told, I love the ocean and the beach and if I could live anywhere else, it'd be by the ocean. Your quilt is fabulous Kirsten.

Gerrie said...

I remember those chairs from my younger days. This is really delightful. I am so happy to see the thread painting. I was thinking of doing something like this with the outline of several chairs. I'm dreaming of summer.

Terry Grant said...

A woman after my own heart! I love stripes almost more than any other design motif. Your piece is very nostalgic for me. I remember those chairs and recently went looking to buy one, but found none. Everything now seems to be new and improved, with armrests and cupholders. I love the classic, which you have done so beautifully.

Kristin L said...

I'm thinking of lazy days in the sun too. Your quilt is so simple and yet so evocative. The thread drawing is impeccable! And, of course color has soooo much to with the appeal of these chairs. Worth the wait. :-)

Karen said...

Oh this brings back so many memories as a kid at the beach. I think my Mom still has one of these, and the colors are spot on.

Unknown said...

Oh what memories - there is a clasic family cine film piece of me trying to put one of these up as a three or four year old. Very funny! They also remind me of my momentous career event of being 'called to the Bar' because I sprained my ankle going to the ceremony in London and so the next day could do nothing but sit in a chair like this in St.James park and watch squirrels play around me.

Françoise said...

This is a lovely quilt.
My mother used to have such a beach chair when I was little. And she changed the fabric so many times. Maybe this is why I like fabric so much...