Containment represents our halfhearted attempts to contain the corona virus pandemic of 2020. This quilt was selected to be featured in a book called Quarantine Quilts: Creativity in the Midst of Chaos edited by Dr. Sandra Sider, Curator of the Texas Quilt Museum, and to be published by Schiffer Publishing in 2021 . There was a call for entries as part of the Houston International Quilt festival. The quilt festival is cancelled, so the quilt will not display in Houston but will be included in the book.
Containment did not start as a Covid quilt. It was my entry for a black and white improv challenge at my quilt guild, Houston MQG. Here are some in-process pictures.
Stack up a black, white and red strip and cut some improv cirves 
Sew the pieces together 
Cut wedges of different widths 
Also cut some solid red, white, black wedges and strips 
Sew in small sections are experiment with layouts
I used a red background. So the red wedges and strips in the improv sections looks like breaches in a containment zone. After piecing the improv sections, I appliqued them to the background. I did not want any stitches to show in the red section, so I appliqued by hand using invisible thread.
More quilting detail. I sewed on a facing for this quilt. The improv sections fold over the facing to the back, which I think is quite cool.
It’s a perfect representation of our flawed, nearly non-existent Covid containment. Well done!
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Wowey zowey!!! I enjoy seeing all the quilt-in-progress photos! Awesome finish? I’d like to ask how big it is. I can’t quite tell.
Delete that question mark! Not sure how that got in there! It’s awesome!!!
That was quite a process!! Love it. Thanks for sharing. I often wish I could create an improv type quilt but I haven’t given it a try yet. Not even sure I can do it!
Excellent execution of a stellar concept. You do such nice work with feeling, motion and a story to tell. Nicely done.
Very cool!!!
Congratulations on another great quilt and its entry in a book! I love everything about it and the facing is the perfect ending for a quilt like this, isn’t it.
What a great visual representation of attempting (and failing) to contain the virus! I love the stark contrast in the red, black, and white color combo.
Great quilt!! It would have been fun to see it at Houston!!!
This is a beautiful and striking quilt. I love that you shared your process with us. What a talented lady you are!
Oh Vasudha, you have done it again. Another spectacular and meaningful finish. At first glance, it was just a playful design with a controlled palette. And then when I realize the ominous association between lack of containment and the spread of infections, it looks scary. You are an amazing artist who is able to convey so much with every piece. Oh and Congratulations!!! No surprise there 🙂
WOWEE Vasudha! You are one talented designer and quilter. My favorite parts are the red pieces and strips – to represent breaches in containment. Brilliant. It is really a shame that everyone attending the Houston quilt market cannot enjoy this in person but having it published instead is almost as nice. Thanks for linking up this week. ~smile~ Roseanne
Very cool quilt! You really ROCKED the challenge!
This is AMAZING!!! It also feels like it might be the path for my life in this time – I go my own way only to intersect again with someone in my house, and all the crazy going on. I think you captured this brilliantly!
Wonderful quilt! No wonder it was chosen. Congratulations! Thanks for sharing on Wednesday Wait Loss
Hi Vasudha, what an amazing quilt. It really does reflect our efforts of confinement. I think that we are learning that it’s pretty impossible to live in isolation, even if we really want to. Congrats on getting it into the book and thanks so much for linking up to Free Motion Mavericks. Take care.
Wow Vasudha! This quilt is absolutely amazing. I don’t even know how to describe to you how gorgeous it is. The design is not only unique but is so beautiful. And your quilting is stunning. I’ve pinned this quilt.
so fantastic!
What an absolutely cool design. And I love the quilting! Terrific quilt.