red for courage

Five years ago I was diagnosed with a rare aggressive uterine cancer. Long story short: big operation in Hobart followed by 5 weeks of radiation therapy.

My body did not cope well with the treatment. To help me get through I did 2 things:

A. I made 16 small handstitched art quilts featuring red and other colours, which I called dare to dream. I usually could work at least a few minutes each day on these little artworks, sometimes more.

B. I wore something red when going into the clinic for treatment. This was usually a scarf, a necklace or my red shoes.

I didn’t know for quite a while why the colour red was so important. Then it came to me: red was for courage. It has other meanings too of course, but this was what it meant to me.

Last Monday, I got the final all-clear. No more scans, no more specialist appointments! I am officially cancer-free.

So now I want to celebrate! I would also love it if you could participate in this celebration.

Here’s how you can take part:

‘Red for Courage’ (slow stitched square) -
1. Select one or more red thread/s

2. Collect some small fabric scraps

3. Cut one or more 4 inch* square pieces of white or cream fabric for the background [*or 10 cm]

4. Arrange and pin (or invisibly baste) a few scraps onto the background

5. Stitch over the layers with your chosen red thread/s

5. Embroider your initials (also in red thread) on the lower right hand corner of your square

6. Send your completed square to:
Rita Summers, Gone Rustic, PO Box 12, St Marys, TAS 7215, Australia

The plan is to make a scroll with all your contributions, quite a long one I hope! This will be displayed in the very first exhibition in our new art shed, which is in the planning stages right now.

i look forward to celebrating together!

Deadline: please mail your square to arrive on or before 31 August 2025