Migration Story: American Bittern

This is a cross post with the Fiberactions blog...  13 fiber artists have a bi-monthly challenge based on a word chosen by one of the members.  This month's theme is Stretch.

Although common in much of its range, the American Bittern is usually well-hidden in bogs, marshes and wet meadows. Usually solitary, it walks stealthily among cattails and bull rushes. If he senses that he's has been seen, the the bird becomes motionless, with its bill pointed upward, causing it to blend into the reeds. 

In other words, he "Stretches"...


This piece stretches the definition of a quilt.  It is made of two layers, not three.  The background is a vintage National Geographic map from 1959 which includes part of the range of the bird (New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts) and the coastal town where I now live.  Collaged onto the map is a marshy scene of rushes and cattails made of fabric and thread.  The bird is made using raw edge applique, and the entire piece is machine quilted then framed behind glass.  For those who may wonder, the second layer of the quilt is a stiff interfacing:  Peltex 70.

Detail:  Can you find my home town?  I see the name twice...

That was totally unintentional...  Guilford, CT and Guilford, VT!