Jodrell Bank has been running a project to create a community quilt inspired by the celestial marvels that have been discovered. This is to help mark 80 years of discovery, exploration, and connection with the universe at the site (https://www.jodrellbank.net/events/80-years-of-jodrell-bank-get-involved/).

The closing date for the project was extended to the end of this month and my friend and I thought it might be fun to enter. I spent some time thinking and talking about it and liked a suggestion to have the telescope in one corner. My own photos provided me with reference for this but I looked around on the internet for some ideas of what else could appear.  Giroscience/Science Photo Library provided an image that I have used as my other inspiration.

I have a collection of fabrics and beads and really enjoy machine and hand embroidery.  The fabrics were chosen, cut then mounted on the background with Bondaweb. The red fabric is an old bathing costume and the grey one a sweater. The Bondaweb is invaluable to secure them for further work.

Cutting Out

My Planets

Cutting out

The square, which was to be 23 x 23 cm, became quite complicated, but the more I did the more I enjoyed it. The planets got beads and the galaxy effect was created with silks.

Working on Square

Detail of Square

This week we dropped in to deliver our squares and ended up spending a splendid morning wondering around the park, seeing the sun through two different types of special telescopes!! and getting to see the dish move. Brilliant.

Collage and embroidered square for Community Quilt