Poco Loco

Growing up in India my earliest memory of skull and crossbones was Danger.
It can be seen on poisonous substances, high voltage equipments, near railway crossings and anything deemed hazardous. In my mind the skull was evil, indicative of death and danger.

On location

Fancy meeting you here

Coming to America was a culture shock in so many ways.
The whole concept of Halloween was bizarre and mind-boggling. How can scary be fun?
Gouged out eyes, blood and scars are disgusting.  Why would anyone purposely want to be hideous?
It was completely revolting to see skulls on fabric. But when I saw skulls with flowers in the eye-sockets (sugar skulls), it was the ultimate nausea.

Flimsy Finished

Over a period of time, I came to accept these bizarre symbols even when I did not understand them.
Fast forward a few years.  I watched the movie Coco. The movie has been described as "a loving tribute to Mexican culture".

Solid scraps 

Sewn and Cut

Backing fabrics

Backing Design

Finished Back

If you have not seen this movie, you are missing out.  It is on Netflix and I highly recommend it watching it a few times before it is gone.
The basic premise of the movie is this - after we die, we continue to live in the memories of our loved ones.  When we are forgotten, when no one living remembers us, that is when we truly disappear.  Once a year, those who have passed (but are still remembered) get to visit their loved ones in the living world. The skeletal forms are used to depict those who have left their bodily forms.

Poco Loco

Love this!!!

This quilt - Poco Loco is a celebration of the movie Coco, which changed my perceptions.
Poco Loco is one of the several fantastic songs from the movie.

Walking Foot Quilting

Multicolored striped fabric was inserted between solid rectangles.  Slivers of solids leftover were then sewn together and inserted between black and white prints to make the pieced back.

Composite Solids Strip

Walking foot quilting is my refuge. I wanted a black binding just to frame all the bright colors but a black thread (to secure the binding to the front) on black fabric is pure torture on my eyes.

Faux piped binding

I used a faux piped binding with a sliver of white.  White thread on white fabric worked just fine and overall frame is still black. Love it :-)

Labelled

And a few more pictures on location.

Color is energy

Lots of energy

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties.
What changed your perceptions? As usual, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

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This week I have an upcoming appointment with six of the International Sisters.  They all want pink gowns with matching headdresses. I am ready. Here are the six complete outfits I have chosen.

July is Pink - RSC 2019

These International Sisters have been visiting several studios in the blogland including Cathy, Kaholly and KiwiKid. Have you heard from them?  I'd love to know.
I have linked with Angela's linky party where you can see other rosy and pink blocks.