Quilting in Rossano, Calabria, Italy

I had a lovely few days in Rossano, Calabria, together with friends at the end of July.

The town of Rossano tucked into the mountain and was built
hidden from the sea as protection from invasions of the Saracens.

The Ionian Sea is just over this mountain.

The main reason to get together was patchwork but we did way more than sew!

Chatting with the priest at his Abbey in the mountains
where the main activities were held.

There was a quilt exhibit- La Più Bella (The Most Beautiful) showing works from the south of Italy and the north, traditional and contemporary.

Location of the exhibit in the historical centre of Rossano.

A priest came to talk to us about what "The Most Beautiful" means. Very philosophical.

Exhibit Hall
Two visitors admire my work! I went over to talk to them. He is an art student.
His mother does patchwork.

More traditional works were on one side of the room.

We had a morning of exchanges. People taught for half an hour. They taught things they wanted to share.

Bread making.

Expert applique-er  and author, Maria Rosaria Nola,
 uses "Manitoba" flour to make her bread!

Sewing "Gems".

This will be my next "portable" hand project. It is a step-up from hexagons.
 I think it could be fun working out the secondary designs made by the fabrics
when the six 'petals' are sewn together.

Knitting tricks and much more.

We ate well (as always).

We toured a few places like the liquorice factory, Amarelli, run by the original family line, 11th generation!! Founded in 1731....

liquorice roots

... the beach on the Ionian Sea,

....the historical town,

... and when we got back to the province of Basilicata we heard the news of their devastating floods.

Rossano suffered heavy rains that
caused mud slides.
Pictured above is the beach front
and the newer part of the city.
(These two photographs were sent to me
by some friends.
Not sure who to credit)

Local Plants

I promised myself to try to dye some fabric using local plants while I was on holiday in the south of Italy.

I did some research on the internet about using eucalyptus leaves.

I did the right steps.

Collect the rain water.

Collect the leaves.

Some dried and some fresh, just to see what would happen.

Prepare the pot.

Cut up the fabric.

I had a perfect white, cotton dress
that I didn't wear anymore.

Boil 1hour and 15 minutes.

Sadly, it didn't go well...but the kitchen smelled nice.

Trouble shooting:
maybe needed more leaves,
maybe the plant wasn't the correct variety.

It was fun trying.

Inspired by the Surroundings

I have been holidaying in the south of Italy for the past 9 summers. Every year there are fires in the mountains. Man made. Illegally.

Controluce
2004
120 cm x 80cm
artist: Maria Teresa Sansotta
note:
In this photograph the art work is hanging on a black-coloured wall

How long does it take to grow a tree?

How long does it take to burn it?

detail, Controluce
free motion, hand dyed cotton

Having this textile work exhibited in Italy brought this issue forward. Her work sold to a southern family who lives in the north of Italy.

There were 4 fires in July where I was staying. Driving down to Calabria later in July, it was evident there had been many fires in their province as well, either recent or in the past.

The plane arrives to put out the fire only about 3 to 4 hours after the report is called in. It scoops water from the Tyrrhenian Sea and flies back to the mountain fire, repeating that several times until it is out.

It is quite spectacular to see the skills of those pilots!

Ms Sansotta used these fires as inspiration for her work, Controluce. Anything can inspire. Be open.