Naomi Sews...BIRTH! And you can too, this Sunday

Work in progress by Naomi Homel, using a Sew...BIRTH? quilt kit

This gorgeous small art quilt is being made by my dear friend Naomi, of the blog The Long and the Short of It. My girls and I visited her and her family last week in Sydney. I knew she was bummed to be missing my workshop my one day quilt workshop Sew...BIRTH?, being presented by The Art of Mindful Birthing this Sunday 22nd April at Piece Together in Woolloongabba. I also knew she had been wanting to make a quilt for a close friend of hers who is birthing soon.



So I packed Naomi a kit of all the materials that participants will receive in Sunday's workshop - a blank quilt canvas, some fusible webbing, fabric scraps, a hanging sleeve, some wooden dowel, cord and a sheet of instructions. Amongst a medical appointment for Lily, a trip to Taronga Zoo, many cups of tea and kids' naps, we made time to brainstorm ideas, audition fabrics from her stash and Naomi got started with a design:

Rather than a reflection of my feelings about my births, this 'Birth Affirmation Quilt' is designed to be a tool to inspire a friend throughout her upcoming labour and to celebrate her birth. I hope that the symbolism of dawn, growth, blooming, renewal, love and celebration will inspire the birthing mother on her journey to birth. I also love the overarching reference to the saying 'going to the stars to fetch your baby'. Maybe this is meant to be a landscape of labourland?
Naomi Homel, Sydney

Even though it isn't quite finished and it's a BIG SURPRISE for her friend, Naomi has kindly let me share her piece to inspire those of you who are joining us on Sunday and others who may be considering it.

There are just a few spots left. If you are interested, please go to The Art of Mindful Birthing and follow the links for details.



Looking forward to such a special day of connection and creativity!