" Vience Cher, Bebe "
Come here Baby

This piece was commissioned by a mother to commemorate the birth of her first child. She is from a close knit family who is proud of their French heritage. “Vienci cher bebe” or “come here baby” are words echoed by the matriarch of their family and remembered by the three generations she raised. Vivid memories of hugs and kisses, meals around the kitchen table, and spoken words of wisdom continue to remind this family how their closeness sustains them during difficult times and encourage them during happy ones. This quilt serves as a vehicle for remembering.

Pieces of fabric were requested from the friends and family. However, the letters that came with them were surprisingly moving and necessitated them being memorialized on the face of the quilt. In keeping with the African proverb “it takes a village to raise a child the requested swatches surround the infant and serve as a textile symbol for the love and support bestowed upon the newborn.

The piece is machined stitched with hand- sewn embellishments. Composed of velvet, silk brocade, and embellished with silk roses and faux pearls. There are also machine embroidered elements and photo transfers onto pima cotton. (55.5 in x 58.5 in)