My Milagros

Woow, it's been a busy day…

We took a long walk with family and I've been working in the shed.

First I'm working on designing my tag.!!!! you never know it could become another string to my bow.

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I finished the quilting on this quilt today. I began this project last year.

I travel and I can't help but buy special  mementos. I was with a friend Martha in the town of Tonola in Mexico. It was an exciting place to be and I purchased this canvas of the Madonna of Guadalupe.

It is a painted and printed canvas… and I wondered if I could use it in a quilt…

So. I did. It's a little hard to sew through, but I like the look.

I also purchased about 100 small "Milagros"


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The use of milagros is a folk custom in parts of North, Central, and South America, and it is claimed that the custom is traceable to ancient Iberians who inhabited the coastal regions of Spain.
As part of a religious ritual or an act of devotion, milagros can be offered to a symbol of a saint as a reminder of a petitioner's particular need, or in gratitude for a prayer answered. They are used to assist in focusing attention towards a specific ailment, based on the type of charm used. Milagro symbolism is not universal; a milagro of a body part, such as a leg, might be used as part of a prayer or vow for the improvement of a leg; or it might refer to a concept such as travel. Similarly, a heart might represent ideas as diverse as a heart condition, a romance, or any number of other interpretations.

I have several Antique Milagros. The picture below is one of them.

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This one was created in the 40's. The images were painted on tin and tell the story of a miracle that occured. I think they were then placed in the church to ive thanks…. I'm not too sure.

So I'm creating my own Milagros. Many are made of wood, some painted on tin… mine is in fabric.

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The background fabric is a Moda fabric and I quilted it using smoke monofilament thread on the top and beige on the back. I just followed the pattern on the fabric.

I used some of my dyed cheesecloth for a free border… I quite like it, it reflects the color in the painting.

The silver milagros will be sewn on both sides of the quilt…

I'm also thinking of making some sunflowers to go on the bottom of the quilt… maybe not…I don't know, but the reason is that there are always sunflowers at the base of the statue of the Madonna of Guadalupe.

 

 

 

4 Comments Add yours

  1. Suzanne Gummow says:

    I love what you are doing with your quilts on travel – can’t wait for the TAG ???

  2. I really like what you’ve done with the Virgin of Guadalupe. The dyed cheesecloth really adds a nice bit of a rustic feel. In the areas I’ve visited in Mexico (central, central Pacific coast, Baja), images of the Virgin are more likely displayed with roses . . . perhaps it’s a regional thing whether to display roses or sunflowers. — Naomi

  3. Pam says:

    Naomi, you’re right. I have seen roses… but down south it I’ve seen mainly sunflowers… It’s a delightful textural challenge.

  4. renee graham says:

    i’m looking for milagros for a project. do you know of a source where i can buy them direct. quantity of between 100-250. could be silver, gold or copper finish. could be vintage or new. are any of yours for sale that you bought in mexico? can i buy from your source?
    love your work.
    many thanks.
    renee

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