This one was a challenge. It could just as well have been entitled, “A Study in 3-D”. For therein lay the heart of the matter. How to infuse some depth and dimension into the ruined walls, which are all that remain of the Abbey. Check out the blog post Considering Arbroath for a better understanding of the questions raised in making this quilt
The Abbey is best known as the place where the famous Declaration of Arbroath was written. Having won independence from England following the Battle of Bannockburn (Quilt Corner Tales: Stirling Rising) Scotland had yet to gain any ‘official’ recognition.
A ‘Declaration’ was written and addressed to Pope John XXII, requesting his stamp of legitimacy for the fledgling nation and her new king. And so, Robert the Bruce was declared Robert I, and Scotland gained independent sovereignty.
Built in 1178, the Abbey was already some 200 years old at this point. Located on the east coast just north of Dundee, it was made from the red sandstone which was so prevalent in the area. However, its most outstanding feature was what came to be known as the “O” window. Lights placed here guided local mariners through the nearby shoals during stormy weather and darkness, helping them find the way to safe harbour.
In the making of this quilt, an understanding of its history and significance was important. How else can you capture and convey its’ essence?
The location being coastal, meant it was a relatively flat and level background. This gave the quilt a minimalist design, without a lot of cluttered landscape. The Abbey itself would have center stage, with nothing to distract. The fact that it was built from red sandstone was key to choosing the fabrics. Again, minimalism played a part here – simple, nothing fancy.
This is the frontal view of the South Transept, containing the very recognizable “O” window.
How to piece this quilt was very intimidating. Where to begin, and how to add dimension was a challenging puzzle at first. This was a classic ‘stay in the moment’ situation, were you have to take it one step at a time; trusting you’ll know the second step when it comes… and so on. I had to have a plan… a pattern to guide the viewer. Assorted red brick and stone-like fabrics would make up the Abbey walls itself. Darker, solid fabrics would denote shading and help to offer a sense of dimension.
On the basis of you have to start somewhere… I chose the easiest part. This was also by way of a ‘test’ of sorts, to see if the idea of light versus dark fabrics -patterned versus solid, would give the desired impression. Pictured above was what it first looked like. Not a whole to go on… but it was a start. My mind’s eye could already see what this would look like ‘finished’, with the top-stitching in place. It seemed like this would work, and so I continued.
Diving right in and using the sketch as a template, the shapes were traced onto fabric, and then fused together onto the background piece in an attempt to recreate the Abbey. What the photo doesn’t show is this ‘main’ piece has been stuffed with batting so that it poofs out a bit… 3-dimensional in nature via a quilting technique known as trapunto.
It really was one step at a time, which can be very disconcerting. I like to see the ‘whole’, and this quilt just didn’t present that way. It felt like working blind, and when you are putting in such time and effort, it’s only natural to doubt. I did a lot of that, but just kept plugging away anyway to see what would come of it. Curiosity can be a strength sometimes – lol.
And so, one small piece at a time, and to my surprise, it began to come together… and actually look like something!
The towers added here were also stuffed with batting to give a nicely rounded look to the structure. Landscaped-based fabrics approximating the look of red sandstone, along with other brick and rock-type materials really made a big difference here.
Slowly, piece by piece it came together. Topstitching and a touch of landscaping would flesh it out nicely. And… be a lot easier on this quilter!
It was with a sigh of relief that I added the first border. This was a dark solid green fabric, which framed the abbey scene, giving it a more finished look.
Once this border was added, it was time to sandwich the quilt with batting and backing.
Outline stitching the various pieces with a machine based satin-stitch would better define the different shapes, tying them together as one whole. Further stitching filled in the designs of the two lancet windows, the largest of their kind to be found in Scotland.
The outline stitching which finishes the front of the quilt so nicely, also produces a mirror image onto the back.
This is what anchors all three layers together – front, batting and backing. And is what makes a quilt… well, a quilt!
Adding a bit of landscaping in the form of trees and bushes was relaxing, and just plain fun. At this point I could really lose myself in the process.
Working on this part of the quilt became almost whimsical. I’m far more comfortable as a landscaper than an architect!
This was done by ‘fussy cutting’ different parts of assorted floral fabrics, using a technique known as broderie perse.
The pieces are then shaped, and appliqued into place. They are then stuffed with a bit of poly-fill.
This was a means to add a little ‘pop’ of color to the quilt, using the various trees and bushes as a medium. And… it also served to add some pleasant contrast to the red sandstone and orange hues so predominate.
The ‘stuffed’ towers and trees, as shown here at left, allow for a little better view of the 3-dimensional effect of trapunto.
This close-up photo also shows more clearly how well the stone and brick-like fabrics help to better interpret the actual sandstone used to build the Abbey.
There was one final step, and that was the main border. I researched various clan tartans. And because the Declaration of Arbroath is so strongly identified with Robert the Bruce… chose the Ancient Bruce plaid with which to frame the quilt. That the colours of this particular tartan happened to match so well with the red sandstone of the Abbey was pure serendipity.
I rather like when this happens, it tells me I’m on target. A further border of matching dark green fabric was used to bind the quilt.
However… it’s not done quite yet. I had a couple more ideas up my sleeve.
In the photograph of the actual Abbey shown at the start of this post, you’ll notice some oak leaves appearing in the upper left corner.
Oak trees feature significantly in Celtic culture. Since time immemorial they have come to symbolize strength, courage, and wisdom. Druids used to gather and hold their ceremonies within the shelter of oak groves (nemetons)… imbuing some of the wisdom and strength believed present. It is a tree of nobility and beauty.
So, it seemed only fitting to include this aspect… 3-D of course!
Small yellow gems were then hot-glued onto the center of the “O” window, in tribute to its significance as a beacon… guiding mariners of all kinds, home to safe harbour.
One final step was to include a part of the Declaration itself. How to do this took a little thought – translating it into 3-D. I used a heavy stabilizer known as buckram. It’s used in the making of curtains. With the aid of a light box, I wrote out the most pertinent and well-known part of the Declaration, and then ironed it on to the buckram. The top of this was folded, and rolled under… to make it look like a scroll. It was then stitched to the lower right corner.
This gave the quilt as a whole a certain balance, matching with the 3-D oak tree leaves in the upper left corner. I then added what resembles a red-wax seal, along with some ribbon to help make it look more ‘official’. In actuality, 51 Scottish nobles signed onto the Declaration, each adding their own seal, making for quite an impressive presentation.
The Declaration of Arbroath is considered one of the most significant documents in history. In part it reads as follows:
“For as long as but a hundred of us remain alive,
never will we under any conditions
be brought under English rule.
It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours,
that we are fighting,
but for freedom – for that alone,
which no honest man gives up but with life itself.”
Like the beacon from the “O” window, these words have been a light down through the years. Inspiring both nations – and individuals. The Founding Fathers based the US Declaration of Independence in part upon Arbroath.
Here we are centuries later, witness to the people of Ukraine fighting for the very same principles. Living proof of the enduring qualities and truths written therein.
For the Abbey, although in ruin all these centuries past, has endured… and so too shall freedom.
That’s what this quilt celebrates… the right to be free, to speak up for what is good, and right, and true. Because… some things are just worth fighting for, and the freedom simply to be is one of them.