Colored Computer

Colored Computer - This refers to African American women mathematicians employed by NASA in the 1950's and 60's before the age of machine computers.  They did all the calculations manually, which sent our first astronauts into space.  These women did amazing work, all the while burdened by Jim Crow laws in Virginia.  They are the brave, strong, smart women lauded in the current film "Hidden Figures." 

17"x19" 

completed on Feb 13, 2017

This is fused applique using a pack of bright fat quarters from Timeless Treasures Dash Basic, which I just happened to win at a quilt guild meeting last weekend, and machine quilted with some 'hand-me-down' variegated thread from my friend, Teri Lucas!  

This quilt is made for Project Quilting Season 8 - week 4 with the theme: Brighter the Better.   I just saw the film "Hidden Figures" a few days ago, and knew I wanted to play with the phrase colored computers, because it is shocking,  this challenge encouraged me to get to this right away.  I've quilted the names of a few of the smart women around the border:  Dorothy Vaughn, Katherine Johnson, Eunice Smith, Kathryn Peddrew, Sue Wilder, Mary Johnson.   Here is more information about this group of women from an article in Smithsonian. 

Since I was also a computer programmer in the early days  (I started in 1980) and a self proclaimed "math girl", I'm drawn to stories of smart women, especially in the analytical sciences.  The amazing contributions of this group of women who were up against incredible odds inspired me.  

Peace.

100 challenge

I was involved with a mini-group that set monthly challenges for each meeting.  Sometimes we were able to create something for the month, and sometimes not.

This is my response to the "100" challenge for December 2014.

I selected 100 different colors of embroidery floss, and I arranged them in a 10 by 10 grid of color and value

I

I cut a length of thread from each color, and pulled them thru this checkerboard fabric scrap, just to keep the colors in order

First I created this stitched piece with each color in its color/value position.  This small piece is about 4 inches square.

  Then I moved on to this next small piece of interlocking circles.  Again, each color in the same color/value position.

Finally, I created this satin stitch grid - its the same 4" square size.  I don't usually work in satin stitch, but I really think this is the strongest piece. 

This just shows that if you are trying new techniques or skills, you really need to try them out multiple times.   This is the color grid I use as the background for my blog banner.