Clara and I designed and made this for Felix' Christmas present. First you have to know how much Felix loves Dante. He's even teaching himself Italian so he can read it in the original.
Brace yourself for perhaps the world's first rendition of The Inferno as a log cabin quilt.
It's called Dark Wood--the place where the story of The Inferno begins.
The narrator is lost there.
He wants out, but his way is blocked by a lion:
a leopard:
and a wolf.
However, he is going to find the way:
The sun breaks through the darkness, and a guide appears. It's going to end well.
What a treasure!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous!
ReplyDeleteDee/NY
This is a work of art. (MD)
ReplyDeleteI'm Italian and studied the entire Divina Commedia at school...the Inferno was my favorite part. Even if Italian is your language..Dante is very difficult to read and understand, congratulation to Felix !! Cinzia
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful gift, ladies. You must love Felix!
ReplyDeleteYou have given Felix a treasure he will pass down to his children. What a fortunate, beloved boy.
ReplyDeleteOK, so I now see upon re-reading that Felix is a young man, not a boy. Well, he's still incredibly blessed!
ReplyDeleteTreasure indeed!
ReplyDeleteThis is the perfect gift for sure! And all planned and executed with love - wonderful! I've been thinking about reading the book by that fellow who says Dante saved his life - now I must read it!
ReplyDeleteLisateresa
(and, which of you embroidered that wolf? - it's great)
Amazingly gorgeous and it looks so cozy and warm :)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Connie :)
Oh, I love this. The intersection of literature and fabric is where I want to live (tea can cross there, too). You did a great job--funny and thoughtful. I love the stitched script, too! I may make my own literary quilt someday!
ReplyDeleteI can't even imagine how much Felix must love this gift.
ReplyDeleteIt is very beautiful and so unique.
I have Anthony Esolen's translation of The Inferno on my nightstand right now.
It is wonderful.
Thank you for sharing this with us
A true labour of love. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteClara did all the embroidery--it's flawless.
ReplyDeleteRod, thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteEveryone, if you haven't read How Dante Can Save Your Life by Rod Dreher, I highly recommend it. We've been passing it around the family.
Beautiful. Lovely quilt.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'll be! How exciting that Rod stopped by! Now I Really Must order it, with my (Christmas present) Amazon gift card.
ReplyDeleteLisateresa
I love the idea and especially the execution! What a treasure.
ReplyDeleteFelix must have been absolutely stunned by that quilt Anna, it is superb. And Clara's stitching of the script is amazing.
ReplyDeleteTwo things strike me strongly: Felix, your (once) reluctant reader, is reading Dante -- in his early 20s. How strongly that points to the value of encouraging, not forcing, a child's learning. This old schoolmarm salutes you both.
Secondly thanks for that interchange with Mr Dreher, his book is now on my 2016 list.
Rose, it is remarkable that Felix has turned into such a reader. He's way beyond me! Enjoy your reading, I think you will!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing quilt! I'm in awe of your creativity in working in the little details from the Commedia into the blocks themselves. What a great gift for your son!!
ReplyDeleteThis is so awesome!! My favorite gifts are always labors of love - and this is exquisite. That wolf! And my favorite commenter is always Rose! Always so positive and kind and interesting! Rose, you're in Australia, right?
ReplyDeleteI love the quilts! I just told my husband that I want to quilt. I am not sure that it will happen, but I think that I would like too.
ReplyDeleteKaryn writes: "What a precious gift! I love this. Felix showed me your blog. I just got my first sewing machine (and have no idea what I'm doing), so it's exciting to read! Love your family!"
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone! My best wishes to all of you in your creative endeavors this year. Karyn, bring that machine over if you get stuck!
ReplyDeleteI just have to say... I am speechless.
ReplyDelete