Quilted Judaica and Jewish QuiltsI enjoy pairing my creative outlet, quilting, with my Jewish identity. There are so many Jewish ritual items that lend themselves beautifully to becoming Jewish quilts. I've recently had the pleasure of connecting with Jewish Quilters around the world who contacted me when they saw my website. So as frustrating as technology can be at times, it is also a wonderful way to "meet" people with common interests. TallitA tallis is the traditional prayer shawl is worn by both men and women in the reform Jewish tradition and in some conservative synagogues as well. The Jewish laws about the tallis are fairly simple – it is a garment with four corners to hold the four fringes or tzitzit that Jews are commanded to wear in the Torah.Traditionally, a tallis is a rectangle woven out of wool. There is usually a band of color that goes across the middle of one long edge and is at the neck when it is worn. This is called the “atarah”. There are horizontal darker stripes on each of the narrow ends. Except for the 4 corners with the fringes, none of the composition of the tallis is specifically addressed in Jewish law with one exception. There is a rabbinical suggestion that many people adhere to and that is not to mix linen and wool in a tallis. As a quilter, I became interested in making tallitot using non-traditional techniques and materials, specifically quilting techniques and fabrics instead of woven wool. I use only sustainably-grown, organic and recycled fabrics in the tallit that I create. This is one of my designs:
It is called “Mountain River Tallis”. The main fabric is a natural color cotton with a woven pattern of subtle stripes. You can see that the atarah and the four corners are made with quilted strips of fabric. The dark green and tan are natural-dyed 100% cotton. The river motif, coming off of the atarah and running vertically down each side of the tallis, is made with organically grown cotton sateen, the dark green and tan natural dyed cottons, and a blue print from a recycled cotton shirt. The river is made with a traditional quilting technique called “crazy quilting”. It is appliquéd to the main tallis fabric using a blanket stitch with variegated thread.
See photos of more of my custom designed tallitot here ... or I have a few original tallitot available in my Etsy Shop. Other Jewish Items to Create and QuiltKippah or Yarmulka - Jewish men are commanded to wear a head covering. In the reform tradition, both men and women can choose to wear a head cover in synagogue. Kippot can be made from suede, silk, crocheted yarn, lace, and many other ways. I make kippot with organic quilt fabrics using several patterns. I will be posting photos soon.Chuppah - At a Jewish wedding, it is traditional for the bride and groom to be married under a Chuppah or canopy. Some couples will use a canopy that belongs to their rabbi or synagogue. Sometimes a tallis or prayer shawl is used. There are not specific laws about what the chuppah should be made of. So I make quilts that can be used as a Chuppah and then hung as a beautiful wall hanging in the couple’s home. I have one that is nearly finished and I promise to post photos when it is done. Challah Covers - Many Jewish families have a challah cover that is very special and used on Friday nights when they celebrate Shabbat. Here is a challah cover that I designed and quilted. It is made with 100% organic natural color cotton fabrics.
Matzoh Covers - At Passover, many families use a matzoh cover with three pockets in it as part of their seder (ritual dinner). This is another Jewish ritual object that can be quilted. Return from Jewish Quilts to Forever Green Quilts
|
