When I was living in New Zealand a very talented quilter, Roz Waterworth, passed away. She had machine quilted several bed quilts for me. Another quilter, Leslie Aspin and I attended her funeral at the Catholic Church where Roz had worshiped. The sanctuary was filled with all kinds of beautiful work Roz had made: christening clothes, quilts, liturgical banners and other things. Communion was offered during the mass.
Afterward Leslie asked me “What is this blood business all about? I don’t get it.” As someone who grew up in church, I paused to think how strange “drinking the wine which represented the blood of Christ” would be for someone who had no experience with church. In the moment I replied “The Bible teaches that ‘without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin’ (Hebrews 9:22).”
Leslie’s question stayed with me. Why blood? I thought about my aunt who faints at the sight of blood. How hard it is to get blood stains out of clothing. Blood is the essence of life, but it can also be repulsive. So I studied all of the verses throughout the Bible that mentioned blood. As we prepare to enter the season of Lent I thought I would share this small series of work exploring the motif of blood in Scripture.
“Covered” Psalm 32:1 2006, 30.25” w by 32”`h
© Pamela Loewen
commercial cottons, cotton batting, machine pieced and hand quilted by artist
The first in this series is “Covered” inspired by Psalm 32:1 “Blessed is the one who transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.” In this piece you will see quilting designs inspired by the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In the largest red square three crosses are quilted. In other areas you will find thorns. The quilted squares within squares represents gifts —the gift of eternal life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) The blood of Christ covers our sin.
“Covered” detail
“Covered” detail, back
© Pamela Loewen