Torah Mantle

The Torah mantle, or the 'coat' for the Torah is a cloth cover that is used to decorate and protect the Torah scroll.  The Torah is the most sacred object in Judaism, so giving it protection is very important, and I considered it a great honour that I was asked to create one for a synagogue in downtown Toronto

This is an image of the entrance to the synagogue.  They recently did an extensive renovation and created a modern, warm entrance.

The Rabbi began by introducing me to the Torah Mantle's that they already had.  

He liked the warm earthy tones of rusts and browns but wanted a look that was modern.

As I had never made one before, I was interested in exploring how they were put together.

There were several wooden elements, and I wasn't sure how I was going to find? Buy? Create? these.

The Torah is an amazing thing to see up close.  Every letter is made by hand by a highly trained scribe who uses a special type of lettering.  It looks like a form of Hebrew block letters with some embellished with crowns.  Each letter is said to convey a mystical meaning.  The scribe inks each letter with a feather quill.  The parchment sheets are sewn together with animal sinews to form one long scroll.  The parchment is made from the skins of a kosher animal that has been tanned, scraped and parchment- cured, (anywhere from 62 to 84 sheets).  

This Torah had recently been acquired by the synagogue and was slightly smaller than the other ones.  The Rabbi had wanted a smaller, lighter Torah as they very regularly have women and children handling their Torahs during services.  This is a synagogue that is egalitarian and inclusive.

                                       I noticed this brochure as soon as I entered the building.

I decided to begin by dying cotton fabric.  I wanted to create a variety of intensities and tones that would blend with the colours of the mantles that the synagogue already loved.  Several of them had been created by Temma Gentles who was a very well known fibre artist in the Jewish community.  Hers were big shoes to follow!

I dyed two different kinds of cotton, the second set had a woven feel that I thought might add interest to the project.

While my dye pots cured I worked on my proposal.  This was the sketch that I created.  I had asked the Rabbi to consider themes that he would like represented in my work.  He shared that the song that is sung when the Torah is returned to the ark is usually translated as "her ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace" and he suggested that a theme of peace would be relevant today (and always).  As well, it is significant to this congregation that their cherished objects reflect equality of men and women.  "God created them in His image"" in reference to Adam and Eve.  This verse is often used to stress our commonality with all human beings, and the dignity that each one is owed as an image of God regardless of their ethnicity or gender or religion.  

In my sketch I created human figures that are overlapping, and thus connected, of all different shapes and sizes, and they are covered by peace doves.

While I was working on the design, I was also exploring how to deal with the wooden elements of the mantle.  I had been hoping that these could be purchased, on their own, without the cloth covering, but I soon discovered that this was not a possibility.  The Judaica shop I visited had no idea how to acquire these pieces, they only sold complete mantles.  Luckily, I am connected to a wonderful group of women who are part of the "International Jewish Quilters".  I asked for their help and they came through!  A generous woman, Paula Miller, kindly lent me the templates she had (photo above).  I wasn't quite sure what the purpose of all 3 pieces were but I was happy to have them.  And then another lovely friend, Brian Goldstein, kindly offered to duplicate these pieces for me.  This was becoming a group project!

After drawing the figures on freezer paper, I ironed the chosen fabrics onto the freezer paper patterns folding over the seam allowance.

Then I pinned the figures in place.  For the background I had chosen a brown/taupe cotton velvet.  When I saw it in the store, it just screamed Torah to me.

Then I added the doves.  I wanted them to appear to be flying around the people.

This was the finished composition, before I worked out how it would be lined and turned into a 'skirt'.

I created a quilted cover for the wood top, covering it in batting, and then upholstered it with the velvet.

This is the composition lined and ready. Here you can clearly see how all the figures are overlapping and connected as the doves are circling them with bowers of leaves.

Having never constructed anything like this before, I consulted an upholsterer.  But in the end, I was most comfortable with pinning it in place and sewing it by hand to the upholstered wood.  With the pins on, it looked like I had made a crown!

                          Here is the new Torah Mantle in its new home as it embraces its Torah.

I am very happy with how it blends in with the other Torah Mantles and yet still stands out with a modern motif.

Artist Statement:  This Torah mantle was designed to suggest two overlapping ideas.  Firstly, as our humanity binds us to each other it is our responsibility to recognize and magnify common ground-- to work towards finding the smallest seed of mutuality, where our values and goals overlap, and to there, lend focus.  And secondly, that this effort, in and of itself, can lead to peace.  We may never finish this work, but it is our responsibility to take it on.

 

Another Blessing; Hello Beautiful Baby

I created this work to honour a first grandchild. 

This photo was the inspiration for my work.  

In the photo, the young expectant couple proudly pose in front of their 

newly acquired elegant old stone farm house.  

Detail:  Their beloved dog stands guard.  Stitchery is free motion and the green silk organza is hand dyed.  The white leaf motif is my drawing, I created a screen and printed it on the organza. 

Detail:  The grasses are free motion with varigated heavy thread.  The stone of the house is commercial fabric embellished with fabric paint.  Windows are raw edge applique. The sun has extra batting and is a combination of hand dyed and commercial fabric with free motion and embroidery stitchery.

Detail:  The animals visiting their farm house were inspired by a story I had heard; that three deer had come to their property shortly after they moved in.  Also, that they are now a family of three!

Detail:  I included trees in the composition as, for me, they symbolically represent rootedness, new roots, that life will continue long after us, and once again, another trio.  The bark was created with commercial fabric overlayed with free motion stitchery with varigated thread.  Grasses and little yellow flowers connect the colour yellow with the sun.  Yellow is the mom's favourite colour, and she has a lovely, sunny disposition.  Their dog is keeping an eye on the comings and goings on the property.

Detail:  The leaves of the trees are dyed, layered, and stitched silk organza.  The sky was painted with thinned dye.  I chose to frame this work as some of the elements had more layers than others, and this was a way to give presence to the composition as well as stabilize all the elements.

Installation:  Brightening up the nursery, overseeing their beautiful baby girl!

May she enjoy a lifetime of happiness.

 

Beautiful New Baby Girl

A Sweet Baby Quilt

To honour the blessed arrival of a baby I went shopping with the mommy-to-be and she picked out all the fabrics that she loved.  (We knew it was going to be a girl). After much discussion and review of many very complicated patterns she concluded that she liked squares.  simple and clean.

Detail:  I decided to hand quilt and backed it with a soft flannel to keep the 'hand' of the quilt gentle.  Also, I have begun to really appreciate and enjoy the process of the slow stitch.  I double quilted on either side of each seam.

As I had fabric leftovers, I decided to create a matching pillow and created a bargello type of pattern. The pillow top is its own 3 layer quilt but then it has a back attached that is removable for washing.

She has arrived!  And seems to love cuddling.

I also made her a few burping/all purpose cloths out of a multilayered cloth designed for the purpose. Each one is trimmed with machine embroidery of a different pattern.

But then to coordinate with the colour scheme I felt that I needed to create a little wall hanging.  As she is a 'baby Tiger' I was inspired to create a space with many little animals that will be fun to identify, when she is a bit older.

I was inspired by this sweet placemat that I received in a lovely brunch place in Oakville, Ontario.  I am sorry that I cannot credit the designer directly, but you can see that the restaurant was called "Pur and Simple".  I always have my lens for inspiration on, because you never know when you may be struck by a colour or an image.  I found these animals so simply and elegantly illustrated, they lent themselves perfectly to applique.

Detail:  The tree branches are free motion embroidery with varigated thread

Detail:  The animals are all created with the same base white fabric and then the details are embellished with thread and fabric, beads and buttons.  And of course there is a friendly tiger resting at the base of the tree.

Detail:  the birds wings were created by making a raw edge with the fabric.

Detail:  The tree and a couple of the animals have extra batting in order to create a three dimensional effect.

Detail:  The deer also has extra batting.

 Details

This project was so much fun.  I love creating the whimsy that art for children invites. 

Embroidered Figures, revisited

A Walk in the Woods

Back in December of 2020 I posted about my involvement in a critique.  This was an invaluable experience made available to me through SAQA.  Studio Art Quilters Association is an international community that I have been proud to be part of for many years.  They offer endless opportunities for education, exhibition and comradeship in a like-minded, creative community.

At that time the suggestion was that the figures were working but the background had some issues.  I have since gently removed them from the original background (check out my post in 2020 to compare) and now this is their new home.  I took this photo in the Laurentien mountains in Quebec and had it printed on to cotton.

Detail: In this photo you can see the dense embroidery as well as the sky light peaking through the trees.

Detail:  Here I am trying to demonstrate that the figures are popping forward from their background.  They have extra batting to create this effect.

Detail:  Focus on the grass that is embroidered at their feet.

Detail:  a view that is more straight on.

I will leave it with you as to whether the new background is a better home than the old one.  Please let me know what you think!