Quilt patterns from ‘Alias Grace’
Feb 13th, 2006 by Hil
Lucy Tartan’s review of Margaret Atwood’s novel Alias Grace over at Sorrow at Sills Bend this morning prompted me to go hunting for my sketch of all the quilt square patterns that were used as chapter illustrations. I liked how the motif worked in with the story and themes of each chapter much better than I liked the book overall.
I always intended to make a sketch of all the knots used similarly in E. Annie Proulx’s wonderful book, The Shipping News, but haven’t as yet.
I once heard an interview with Margaret Atwood; it must have been on the ABC. In it I think - and I might be mistaken, I’d like confirmation - she defined the novel as writing that always has the notion of a clock in it. Does anyone else remember that? I guess it implies that there is always a timeline and a narrative, but being me, I started thinking of clocks and watches and other time pieces!
While you are at Sorrow at Sills Bend, don’t miss the rats and hydatid posters!
Lovely drawing, Hil.
Hi Hil
Just had to tell you as I sit here checking 33 of the kids string puppets for missing limbs………..passed on to them your tip about twirling them round before putting them away and it just works like a charm. Thanks so much for that!
I’ve been a Margaret Atwood fan since someone gave me a copy of the Edible Woman. Lucy certainly blasted Alias Grace. Will you take your lovely drawings into fabric do you think or does working professionally with your hands make doing things like that a bit of a busman’s holiday?
Thanks, Laura :-)
So glad the tip worked, Sally. I guess I should read some other Atwood, since so many people do enjoy her writing.
I probably won’t take the drawings into fabric, not so much the busman’s holiday thing, but because I’m not specially drawn to sewing at the moment. I have made a couple of quilts. The first I made out of favourite old clothes that we had had, and then was disappointed because it wore out quickly! Won’r make that mistake again! There is a picture of the other here.
I love yr drawings. I have often noticed chapter headings with small images. What a great idea to draw them. Thankyou for sharing.
Thanks, herhimnbryn :). I’ve just spent some time looking at some of the lovely things in your blogs, too.