Zebra marble quilt features abstract collage of marble, dyed cottons, hand applique.

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Martha Borders
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site design - Martha Borders
last updated
Wed, Jan 2, 2008

Zebra

1992-1994 72" x 73" Private Collection
100% cotton, marbled & dyed fabrics, hand appliquéd, machine appliquéd, machine embroidered, and machine quilted, metallic threads.

This abstract marble quilt took many months to sew . The name Zebra comes from a marbling pattern that has a combed motif and circles of color are added on top. My quilt has several of these patterns. There are no black and white marbled pieces in Zebra.

I originally started marbling cottons in June 1992 to create unique fabric. Just as quilting hooked me, marbling took me over once I started. Within six months I somewhat mastered the craft of marbling. In December 1992 I mustered the courage to cut into my new fabrics, which brought refreshing ideas to mind and this abstract quilt was born. I wanted to set off each marble fabric and used solids in-between. The circles are hand appliqued

From a technical standpoint this was a difficult and frustrating quilt for me. The machine embroidery was done while quilting the piece and sometimes the metallic thread didn't want to cooperate. The border of the quilt was intricately quilted as you can see in the picture on the right and the fabric was specially chosen for that purpose.
Once completed, Zebra was entered in a number of consecutive shows and I never had the time to study the piece. More than a year later I hung Zebra in my booth at the Bayberry show to sell marbled fabrics and while looking at the quilt, I realized the meditative and relaxing qualities of Zebra. I was surprised by my own creation and grew quite attached to this piece and it took several years before I was able to release it for sale.

Some people have come up with amazing interpretations concerning this piece. My favorite story concerns an older woman and her daughter. They went into a long detailed explanation as to why Zebra brought to mind the origins of the universe. Since I had no specific intention while creating this piece, hearing other’s interpretations fascinates and stimulates my imagination further.
Vermont Quilt Festival- Third place 1993