Mystery Challenge: George Sand

This round of Mystery Challenge has a theme: Moments and People Throughout History. I was assigned "George Sand", which took me on a different path. Usually I stick to clothing, but after doing some research, I wanted to go a quilting route. I decided to collage some of the things I learned about Sand; things that defined her.

George Sand: born Amantine-Lucile-Aurore Dupin in 1804

French author, feminist, wife, mother, lover

"cross-dresser", risk-taker, line-crosser

Sand wrote prolifically, from novels to political commentary.

She wore men's clothing, claiming it was more comfortable.

She smoked in public, scandalous for the time.

The background is inspired by the French flag. The applique was pieced from strips of two "Paris" themed fabric in the shape of the "female" symbol. I placed it in the "male" symbol's position, to denote Sand's habits of wearing men's clothing and smoking in public, both scandalous for women at the time!

The middle section is sanded twill, with black piping down the center to appear like pages from a book. I scribbled on either side of the "book" - facts about George Sand on one side, quotations attributed to her on the other.

The final piece is a "romantic" background, with the French word for "freedom" superimposed. I wanted to show the feminine side that Sand had, as well as the things she fought for for women through her writings, being a proponent of women's rights and equality.

Fabrics used:

Natural sanded twill from stash

Pepe in Paris, Riley Blake

Paris/floral print, 2011 Brother Sister Design Studio

black and white rose print from stash

solid red broadcloth from stash

navy/white ring print from stash

white tone-on-tone print from stash

"There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved."

Follow the rest of the Challengers this month for more mini history lessons!

5/25│ The Berry Bunch - Frank Lloyd Wright │ Not Sew Perfect - Lucille Ball, I Love Lucy

5/26│Create 3.5 - George Sand

5/27│ Zoe and Ted - Suffragetes

5/28│ House of Estrella - Woodstock/Fall of the Berlin Wall  │ Pen Seb Rox - Piet Mondriaan

5/29│ Friends Stitched Together - Impressionist Movement │ Wining Wife - Judgement of Paris

5/30│ Super Stay at Home Mommy - Madame Tussaud │ Keep Calm and Carrion - Jackie Kennedy  │ Gloria June - Florence Nightingale

5/31│ Sofilantjes - Andy Warhol │ Busy Little Bee - Marie Antoinette │ Amanda Rose - March 9, 1959 Barbie

6/1│ Pienkel - Bianca Jagger │ Huisje Boompje Boefjes - Anne Frank

6/2│ Taking it Up a Notch - Queen Victoria │ Amazing Adventures with Bubba and Bug - 1964 New York World Fair │  Kelly's Sewing Creations - Steampunk Mary Queen of Scots

6/3│ Mae & K - Tesla │ Pretty Little Blog - Moon Landing │ Knot Sew Normal - Lutie Eugenia Sterns

6/4│ Sew Starly - Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II │ Hibbadoray - Amelia Earhart │ Sew Far North - Countess Markievicz (1868-1927)

6/5│ Made By Sara - John Dillinger/Roaring 20's │Friends Stitched Together - Prohibition/Roaring 20's

6/6│ Country Bella - 1900's World's Fair/Art Nouveau │ Lulu and Celeste - Rosie the Riveter

6/7│Sew Domesticated - 1960's/Civil Rights Movement │ Rebel and Malice - French Revolution/Joan of Arch │ The Fabric Hoarder - Gypsies