Last of the Spirits: My Cherrywood Storytime Challenge Quilt
A Journey Through Fabric and Time
Inspired by the timeless tale of A Christmas Carol, this quilt has been honored as a finalist in the Cherrywood Storytime Challenge. Explore the creative process behind this evocative piece.
About the Cherrywood Fabrics Storytime Challenge
The Cherrywood Fabrics Storytime Challenge invites quilt artists to interpret stories through fabric using Cherrywood’s signature hand-dyed cotton fabrics. Each challenge centers around a theme that encourages creativity, narrative interpretation, and artistic expression through quilting.
Artists from around the world create original art quilts inspired by literature, folklore, mythology, and storytelling traditions. Once submitted, quilts are juried and selected pieces become part of a traveling exhibit that tours quilt shows and galleries.
The Storytime Challenge continues Cherrywood’s tradition of creating exhibitions that highlight the artistic side of quilting. These exhibits allow viewers to experience how quilters transform stories into visual art using fabric, stitching, and texture.
This year’s exhibit will feature quilts inspired by a wide range of stories, demonstrating the incredible creativity and interpretation of the quilting community.
The Inspiration Behind 'Last of the Spirits'
‘Last of the Spirits’ draws its essence from the haunting narrative of A Christmas Carol. This quilt, a labor of love and creativity, has been recognized as a finalist in the prestigious Cherrywood Storytime Challenge.
Crafted with intricate detail, this quilt captures the essence of transformation and redemption, echoing the themes of Dickens’ classic tale.
Join me as I share the story behind its creation and the journey to becoming a finalist.
From Engraving to Quilt: A Creative Transformation
John Leech’s 1843 steel engraving ‘The Last of the Spirits — The Pointing Finger’ serves as the muse for this quilt. The artwork captures Scrooge’s pivotal moment of realization, a turning point where he confronts the impact of his past actions.
This quilt seeks to embody that emotional shift, translating the powerful imagery into fabric art that speaks to the heart of the story.
Translating Art to Fabric
From Engraving to Quilt Design
Transforming John Leech’s historic engraving into a quilt design required a thoughtful approach to maintain its essence while adapting it for fabric appliqué. The intricate details of the original artwork were distilled into simplified shapes, allowing for a seamless translation into fabric pieces. The composition was expanded to enhance the depth and atmosphere, creating a more immersive visual experience. This process involved careful planning and creativity to ensure that the quilt captured the spirit of the original engraving while standing as a unique piece of art.
Crafting with Layers
Techniques for a Dreamlike Quilt
The quilt’s ethereal quality was achieved through a combination of layered appliqué, thread sketching, and light painting. These techniques brought texture and dimension to the piece, while the addition of soft tulle over the surface introduced a dreamlike quality. This layer of tulle blurred the lines between reality and imagination, suggesting a scene that exists in a space between memory and vision. Each technique was carefully chosen to contribute to the overall atmosphere, creating a quilt that is both visually captivating and emotionally evocative.
Overcoming Artistic Challenges
Crafting Scrooge's Hands
One of the most challenging aspects of this quilt was recreating Scrooge’s hands with fabric. The process began with sketching the hands using a heat-erasable pen, allowing for adjustments until the perfect form was achieved. Quilting with invisible thread added subtle definition without detracting from the overall design. To enhance the details further, fabric marker lines were carefully applied, bringing the hands to life with precision and care. This meticulous attention to detail ensured that the hands conveyed the emotion and narrative significance intended in the original engraving.
Final Touches
Completing the Journey
As I trimmed the quilt to the precise 20 × 20 inches required for the Cherrywood challenge, a sense of accomplishment washed over me. Each snip of the scissors felt like a step closer to unveiling the story I had woven into fabric. The final quilting and backing were more than just technical steps; they were the culmination of months of dedication and creativity. Seeing the quilt in its finished form, I was filled with a profound sense of pride and fulfillment, knowing that I had brought a piece of art to life.
A Moment of Reflection
The process of completing the quilt was both meticulous and rewarding. Ensuring every detail was perfect required patience and precision. As I laid the backing and quilted the final stitches, I reflected on the journey from concept to creation. It was a labor of love, and the finished piece was a testament to the passion and effort poured into every stitch.
A Celebrated Milestone
Honored as a Finalist
Being named a finalist in the Cherrywood Fabrics Storytime Challenge was an exhilarating moment. The recognition of my work among such talented artists was both humbling and inspiring. I am deeply grateful to the judges for this honor and extend heartfelt congratulations to my fellow finalists. Together, we have shared a journey of creativity and storytelling through quilting, and it is a privilege to stand alongside such remarkable talent.
The Art of Storytelling
Quilting as a Narrative
Quilting is more than just an art form; it is a medium through which stories are told and emotions are expressed. Each piece of fabric, every stitch, and the overall design come together to convey a narrative that words alone cannot capture. As I reflect on my journey with ‘Last of the Spirits,’ I am reminded of the power of quilting to connect us to history, evoke emotion, and share personal stories. It is a timeless craft that continues to inspire and move both the creator and the viewer.
Through quilting, I have discovered a profound way to communicate stories that resonate deeply with both myself and others. The tactile nature of fabric, combined with the intricate details of stitching, allows for a unique form of expression that transcends traditional storytelling. As I continue to explore this art form, I am constantly amazed by its ability to capture the essence of human experience and emotion.
A Celebrated Milestone
Traveling Exhibit
The finalist quilts will be randomly divided into three collections — Fantasy, Fairytale, and Fable — with each collection traveling to quilt shows and venues throughout the year.
Collection assignments and travel schedules will be announced in April and shared on the Cherrywood Fabrics website, as well as through their Facebook and Instagram pages.
I’ll also be sharing updates on Canary Quilts social media so you can follow along and see where the exhibit will be traveling next.
Last Of The Spirits
Last of the Spirits
An evocative art quilt capturing a pivotal moment from Dickens’ classic tale.
Artist
Created by Carrie Dunn, a passionate quilter from Florida.
Year
Completed in 2025 as part of a prestigious challenge.
Location
Crafted with care in the sunny state of Florida, USA.
Materials
Utilizes the hand dyed cotton fabrics that Cherrywood Fabrics assigned for this challenge.
Inspiration
Inspired by John Leech’s 1843 engraving from A Christmas Carol.
Challenge
Entered in the Cherrywood Fabrics Storytime Challenge.
Recognition
Honored as a finalist, celebrating storytelling through quilting.
Congratulations Carrie on this wonderful achievement. I know you worked hard and your dedication paid off. I hope your quilt comes to my Guild’s show in August so I can admire it in person. I love following again on all your adventures.
Oh thank you so much! That would be soo cool if did make an appearance at your guild! I hope to get to some shows that have these quilts displayed over the next year.