One of the most incredible things about art is its ability to be a vehicle for any message. People are used to seeing deeper meaning in art mediums such as painting and drawing, but they don’t usually readily associate quilts with symbolism. Quilters, however, know better.
Quilters and their fellow crafters know that there is a lot you can say with thoughtfully chosen fabric, the right pattern, and a sewing machine. From political commentary to social issues, there’s no limit to what you can communicate through quilting.
Check out an especially interesting concept that has arisen from the desire to share information in a new and innovative way: science quilting.
What is “science quilting?”
“Science quilting,” while not an official term, is what has been used to refer to the hobby of quilting with patterns, colors, and textures woven together to reflect or explore a scientific concept. The quilt can be a literal depiction of something science-related or just an abstract design inspired by science. The ultimate goal is to educate on scientific concepts, raise awareness about issues in the field, or simply celebrate and capture your passion for science.
Quilting has been used as a mode of storytelling for centuries.
Sharing narratives through quilts and other fabric arts is actually a practice that is a part of many different cultures’ histories. Although people used to quilt mostly for practical reasons (to have blankets to keep them warm), they often chose designs that told personal or cultural stories in specific contexts.
Log cabin quilts and memorial quilts are both examples of this. Although they likely originated much earlier, log cabin quilts became a popular pattern in the U.S. in the 1860s, as they came to represent the colonial values of the country at the time. Memorial quilts are another type of quilt that tells a story. They often depict the life of a lost loved one and the feelings of grief the quilter is dealing with as they make it.
Science quilting has been a growing movement in recent years.
Because quilts have always been used to tell stories, the concept of science quilting is not exactly new or something that was invented at any one time. But in recent years, people have been embracing it more and more. For example, in 2014, artist Anna Von Mertens was invited to share her science-inspired quilts—one stitched in the pattern of the stars in the sky on 9/11, another in the star pattern during the Tet Offensive—at that year’s COSMO physics conference.
Another example is the Quilt Your Science 2021 project that was started this year. The event was created by earth scientist Laura Guertin and environmentalist Betsy Wilkening. To encourage individuals to create quilts that depict some aspect of science, they set up the hashtag #QuiltYourScience2021, a Slack community, and a website. In December, they’re planning a virtual show and celebration of the science quilts that were submitted to their project over the previous few months.
Looking for some inspiration for your next fabric story? Come visit 118 Fabrics & More to get the ideas and materials you need for your next project! Our walls are full of shop samples to help get your creative juices flowing, and we’re always stocking new fabrics, patterns, and other supplies to help you make your vision a reality. Choose from different popular brands, fabric by the yardage or pre-cut, or even a ready-to-go quilt kit with everything you need to create a new masterpiece.
Order all the quilting materials you need online or buy them at the shop today!
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