It seems as if my latest quilt should have been the very first one I created for my collection of science quilts. But it wasn’t until I attended a podcasting conference (see my posts on Podcast Movement 2019) that I didn’t think about creating what podcasters call an “Episode Zero”, the very first episode of a podcast series before it officially kicks off that describes what the podcast is about, a chance to meet the moderators, etc.

Here is my Episode Zero, or Quilt Zero – titled Science Storytelling with Quilts.

The quilt is with three fabric panels. The first panel represents various fields of science. Although all of my quilts to date connect with Earth science, I may explore creating quilts relating to other STEM fields in the future. The second panel is a shelf and stack of books to represent storytelling.

The third panel is a pattern called White House Steps. The colors represent the blue and white colors that are the official colors in the White House logo. The crackled pattern on the fabric represents the pathway to speak to and connect with our leaders in the White House and Congress, both at the federal and state level – that pathway is not a smooth or easy one to navigate. The pattern for White House Steps came from “110 Quilted Potholders” by Linda Causee and Rita Weiss (Leisure Arts, 2013).

The backing fabric is a collection of clock faces that represent time. It is time for scientists to find additional and effective ways to share science. It is time for more science stories to be told, and for more audiences to listen. It is time to learn and be informed, so that we can take action to address some of the great and pressing challenges we face on Planet Earth – challenges that can be solved by science and society.

All quilt materials were purchased at JoAnn. The first fabric is Novelty Cotton Fabric-School Supplies in Space, and the second fabric is Novelty Cotton Fabric-Classic Novels. The third panel is made of two Keepsake Calico Cotton Fabrics -Dark Blue Watercolor Crackle and White Watercolor Crackle. The blue border around the three panels is a FQ Fabric Quarter named Gltr On Blue FQ #16035719. The quilt batting used is Fairfield Toasty Cotton (100% natural cotton, lightweight). The binding is Wrights Double Fold Bias Tape Quilt Binding #706-050. The quilt is 35 inches wide by 13.5 inches tall. This is the 41st quilt I have completed and the 7th science-themed quilt.

This is my story of science stories through quilting – an opportunity to share science narratives in an accessible format. My hope is that with simple designs and thoughtful fabric selection, quilts can provide a new medium to engage new and existing audiences in science learning and sharing. And I hope we do this in time…