The captivating allure of a gemstone lies not only in its physical properties but also in its cultural significance and the artistic interpretations it inspires. For the month of June, the birthstone of Alexandrite represents a unique duality, a gem celebrated for its remarkable color-changing ability. While gemologists study its optical phenomena, textile artists have found a different way to capture its essence. The "Birthstone Series" of quilt patterns, designed by artist MJ Kinman, offers a distinctive method for recreating the faceted beauty of Alexandrite and other monthly gems using fabric and thread. This guide delves into the world of June's birthstone, exploring its identity and the specialized craft that allows quilters to render its sparkling form.
The June Birthstone: Alexandrite
Alexandrite is the official modern birthstone for June, alongside the classic pearl. It is a variety of the mineral chrysoberyl, renowned for its extraordinary ability to change color from a bluish-green or emerald green in natural daylight to a reddish-purple or raspberry red under incandescent light. This phenomenon, known as the "alexandrite effect," is caused by the simultaneous presence of chromium and iron in its crystal structure, which absorbs light in the yellow part of the spectrum.
The gem's discovery is steeped in historical narrative, dating back to the early 1830s in the Ural Mountains of Russia. As the story goes, it was first found on the future Tsar Alexander II's birthday, and subsequently named in his honor. Its red and green colors mirrored the old imperial Russian military colors, further cementing its status as a national gem. Beyond its Russian origins, significant deposits have since been found in Brazil, Sri Lanka, and East Africa, though stones with the most pronounced color change remain exceptionally rare and valuable. In the world of gemology, Alexandrite is prized for its hardness, scoring an 8.5 on the Mohs scale, making it a durable choice for jewelry.
The Birthstone Series Pattern: A Modern Quilting Technique
For quilting enthusiasts, the "Birthstone Series" by MJ Kinman provides a creative outlet for celebrating personal milestones. The pattern for June's Alexandrite is not a traditional quilt block but a specialized technique designed to mimic the sharp, light-reflecting facets of a cut gemstone. The method, described as "single-foundation piecing," is a departure from standard paper piecing, offering several advantages for the crafter.
This technique utilizes a fully-coded freezer paper template. The process begins by ironing the template to the right side of the fabric, which eliminates the need to work with a reversed, confusing pattern. The fabric pieces are then stitched onto this foundation. A key benefit highlighted by the pattern's description is that the templates are easily removed and reusable, leaving no paper bits to pull from the back of the finished quilt block. This method also reduces fabric waste, as it does not employ the common "flip-and-sew" technique where excess fabric is folded over and trimmed, often resulting in discarded scraps.
The pattern is designed for a "confident beginner," providing all necessary components for success. These include the gemstone template, a detailed color chart to guide fabric selection, and comprehensive assembly instructions. The goal is to create a single, stunning 17" x 17" block that captures the essence of Alexandrite, which can then be incorporated into a variety of projects, from a standalone wall hanging to a larger quilt featuring all twelve birthstones.
Capturing the Gem in Fabric
The artistic challenge of the Alexandrite pattern lies in representing its signature color change and internal sparkle using textiles. The pattern instructions guide the quilter in selecting fabrics to achieve this effect. The material requirements suggest a palette of blues to represent the gem's daylight hue, with specific calls for assorted blue fabrics and a piece of light blue. A contrasting white fabric is also required, likely to represent the bright flashes of light or the gem's clarity.
The finished block, measuring approximately 17" x 17", serves as a miniature quilt that emulates the gem's structure. The precision of the single-foundation piecing allows for sharp angles and clean lines, creating the visual impression of faceted planes. The choice of fabrics—solids, tone-on-tones, or subtle prints—can further enhance this effect, with quilters often using a range of values to create depth and dimension. The pattern is part of a larger series that includes all twelve birthstones, allowing a crafter to create a cohesive collection that celebrates the entire year. The versatility of the block is emphasized, with suggested uses including a Mother's Day quilt featuring family birthstones, a baby quilt, or a Guild group challenge project.
Practical Considerations for the Quilter
When undertaking the Alexandrite block, the quilter is guided by a set of clear instructions. The pattern booklet, typically 12 pages, outlines fabric requirements, construction steps, and suggestions for optional projects such as an 18-inch square pillow, a four-block wall hanging, or a full-size quilt composed of twelve blocks. The use of specific fabric lines, such as Paintbrush Studio's Painter's Palette solids, is recommended to achieve the desired color accuracy.
The technique itself is straightforward yet requires attention to detail. By ironing the freezer paper template to the fabric, the artist creates a stable guide for cutting and sewing. The templates are coded, which simplifies the assembly process, ensuring that each piece of fabric is placed correctly to form the overall gemstone image. This method is praised for its efficiency and for producing a professional finish without the complexities of traditional reverse paper piecing. The resulting block is a durable and intricate piece of textile art, ready to be framed or integrated into a larger quilted composition.
Conclusion
The Alexandrite birthstone, with its mesmerizing color change and historical significance, serves as a powerful source of inspiration. While gemologists appreciate its rarity and physical properties, the "Birthstone Series" quilt pattern by MJ Kinman offers a unique and accessible way for fiber artists to engage with this June gem. Through the innovative single-foundation piecing technique, quilters can translate the sharp facets and subtle color shifts of Alexandrite into a tangible, fabric-based tribute. This pattern is more than a set of instructions; it is a bridge between the geological world and the creative arts, allowing the beauty of the birthstone to be captured and celebrated in a deeply personal and tactile form.