The Alexandrite birthstone, traditionally associated with the month of June, is a fascinating gem celebrated for its unique color-changing ability. While primarily known within gemological circles for its rare optical phenomenon, Alexandrite has recently gained prominence in the quilting world, inspiring intricate designs and techniques by artist MJ Kinman. This article explores the history, characteristics, and artistic interpretations of Alexandrite, focusing on its representation in gemstone quilts.
History and Lore
The provided sources detail a relatively recent surge in artistic interest surrounding the Alexandrite, specifically within the quilting community. While the gem itself has a history predating its adoption by quilters, the sources focus on its modern artistic representation. Alexandrite is described as a “Color-Change” gem, exhibiting a greenish-blue or bluish-green hue in daylight or fluorescent light, transforming into a lovely raspberry color under firelight or incandescent lighting. This characteristic has earned it the nickname “emeralds by day, rubies by night.”
The sources indicate that MJ Kinman, a quilter and designer, recognized the special qualities of Alexandrite and created a birthstone series pattern to capture its essence. A client request prompted the release of more accurate colorways for the Alexandrite Birthstone quilt pattern, demonstrating a growing appreciation for the gem’s unique properties within the quilting world.
Artistic Representation in Quilting
MJ Kinman’s work forms the core of the information available regarding the Alexandrite’s artistic interpretation. She has designed quilt patterns specifically to replicate the facets and color-changing effect of the gemstone. Her “Birthstone Series” includes an Alexandrite block available in two colorways: Teal and Raspberry, directly reflecting the gem’s dichroic nature.
Kinman’s approach involves meticulous piecing, utilizing techniques like freezer paper piecing to achieve precise facets. She provides “Piece Plans” – step-by-step guides to help quilters assemble the block accurately. The patterns are designed with Painter’s Palette solids by Paintbrush Studio Fabrics in mind, though quilters are encouraged to experiment with other fabric types, including Bali hand-dyes and ombres.
The process of creating these quilt blocks is described as initially overwhelming due to the numerous markings and numbers in the pattern, but Kinman’s encouraging instructions aim to guide quilters through the process. A webinar hosted by Kinman further explains her techniques, including “Wild-Motion Quilting,” which quilters can apply to complete their gemstone blocks.
Techniques and Materials
Creating an Alexandrite quilt block, as designed by MJ Kinman, requires specific techniques and materials. The process begins with a freezer paper template, ideally 18” square. A mock-up design is transferred to the freezer paper using a grid technique. The quilter then creates a color palette and codes the facets on the template to designate position, color, and adjacency.
The freezer paper is then cut apart and sorted by color code, ironed onto corresponding fabric pieces, and cut again. These fabric facets are then organized and pieced together to form the complete block. The sources emphasize the importance of precise cutting and assembly to ensure the block fits together perfectly.
Materials recommended include Painter’s Palette solids, though other fabric types can be used. Rayon thread is specifically mentioned as a preferred choice for quilting these blocks, with quilters encouraged to switch colors for each facet to avoid competition between hues. Fat-quarter bundles of pre-selected fabrics are available for purchase, simplifying the fabric selection process.
Project Quilbing Challenge
The Alexandrite birthstone also featured in a Project Quilting challenge, where participants were encouraged to create projects inspired by the color of their birthstone. This challenge highlights the broader trend of incorporating birthstone themes into quilting and textile art. The challenge required participants to complete a finished project within a specific timeframe and share their work online using designated hashtags.
Workshop Details
Workshops led by MJ Kinman provide hands-on instruction in creating gemstone quilt blocks, including the Alexandrite. These workshops cover techniques such as creating freezer paper patterns, understanding the impact of different fabrics on light and color, and assembling fabric facets. Participants learn to prepare templates, transfer designs, code facets, and piece the blocks together. The workshops are designed for confident beginners and aim to equip students with the skills to create their own faceted gemstone designs.
Freezer Paper Piecing: An Introduction
For those unfamiliar with the technique, MJ Kinman offers an introductory project called “En Pointe,” a small block with 13 facets and 5 fabrics, designed to teach freezer paper piecing. This project is available as a free PDF download and provides a stepping stone for quilters interested in tackling more complex gemstone designs. The “En Pointe” pattern is offered in Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald colorways, allowing quilters to experiment with different color combinations.
Sources
- Quilters Guild of Dallas
- Sulky Blog
- MJ Kinman Resources
- Kim Lapacek - Project Quilting
- Common Threads Newnan
Conclusion
The Alexandrite birthstone, celebrated for its remarkable color-changing properties, has found a unique and vibrant expression in the world of quilting. Through the innovative designs of MJ Kinman, quilters are able to capture the gem’s beauty and complexity in intricate fabric art. The techniques employed, such as freezer paper piecing and careful fabric selection, allow for a faithful representation of the Alexandrite’s facets and dichroism. The growing popularity of Alexandrite-inspired quilt patterns and workshops demonstrates a burgeoning appreciation for this fascinating gem within the quilting community, transforming a traditionally admired gemstone into a source of creative inspiration for textile artists.