"Restoring the Coral Reef" was the result of a two year-long collaborative effort between Sue and Cheryl Styler. It was juried into the AQS (American Quilters Society) Quilt Week show in Paducah, KY, where it won second place in its category. Considering that machine quilting has progressed so much over the last few years, this is a real achievement.

Each element in this coral reef creation was first drawn on white fabric and batiked using wax and Procion dyes. Both the embroidery and applique process was completed by hand and machine, then applied to a hand dyed and pieced background. The combined layers were quilted using free motion sewing on a long arm machine.

The following description is from the quilt's label:

Restoring the Coral Reef

The ocean with its beautiful coral reefs and marine life provides an amazing ecosystem that in many ways parallels our own. The reef and the turtles help protect marine life; the turtle’s shell covered with barnacles, parasites, or algae, provides nourishment to the fish; in turn the fish help the turtle to be healthier and with a cleaner shell, to avoid predators by swimming faster. We too live in symbiotic relationships where we depend on and help each other live healthier lives. When the coral reef or our relationships break down, both marine and human ecosystems suffer. By protecting and lifting each other our lives become more fulfilling, even beautiful.

©2024 by Susan McBride Gilgen and Cheryl Paul Styler

 

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