When Aurifil announced their 3:2:1 Challenge this month, I was instantly hooked! The idea was simple but full of creative potential: use 3 thread colours, 2 different weights, and combine them into 1 cohesive project. It felt like the perfect excuse to dive into a new technique and experiment a bit, so I decided on a reverse appliqué mini quilt featuring Adinkra symbols. These symbols, rooted in the Akan culture of West Africa (especially Ghana and Ivory Coast), carry deep cultural meaning, serving both as art and storytelling. Traditionally, they’re stamped onto cloth for special ceremonies, representing values like wisdom, resilience, and unity. Each symbol is its own little nugget of philosophy, making them timeless and truly universal.
Choosing the Symbols: A Reflection of My Journey
I knew I wanted this quilt to have a personal touch, so I took some time to choose symbols that really resonate with where I am right now. Each of these symbols speaks to a different aspect of my journey:
• Hope– a reminder to keep pushing forward and to stay resilient, no matter what.
• Wisdom– for the constant pursuit of learning and growth.
• Mother Earth– honouring our connection with nature, which grounds me every day.
• Life’s Path– a gentle nudge to embrace each twist and turn as part of the journey.
These symbols were my anchor for this piece, helping me stay focused on the themes of resilience, knowledge, nature, and self-discovery.
Reverse Appliqué: Finding New Inspiration in Technique
One of the best parts of this journey was the inspiration I found from Rebekah Johnson’s work. I’ve admired her reverse appliqué techniques for ages, and when she offered a workshop on this method, I jumped at the chance. Reverse appliqué is all about layering fabrics, then cutting away parts to reveal shapes in the layers below. It’s a technique that requires a steady hand and a little patience, but the result is beautifully textured and intricate.
Working with reverse appliqué felt like a perfect way to honour the Adinkra symbols, bringing out their meaning through both texture and design.
Bringing It All Together: Thread Choices and Colour Play
For the appliqué, I used Aurifil 80wt in black (2692) because it gave me the fine, subtle lines I needed to define each shape without overwhelming the design. Black is great for this kind of work; it keeps the focus on the symbols themselves, letting their meaning shine.
To make the symbols really pop, I went with Aurifil 12wt - one my favourite thread weight for hand quilting - in variegated yellow (3920) and red (2250). I used big stitch echoes around each design and in the binding, creating layers that added dimension and brought energy to the symbols. It’s amazing how much texture can add to a piece, making it feel vibrant and connected to the stories it’s telling.
Reflecting on the 3:2:1 Challenge
This challenge was more than just a technical exercise for me; it was a journey into themes that I care deeply about. Working with multiple thread weights and colours reminded me of the versatility threads can bring to a project, and how every little choice—like colour or stitch style—can tell its own tale.
I hope this inspires you to take on the 3:2:1 challenge, or maybe just to explore a new technique in your next project. Every stitch is a chance to share your own journey, and there’s something so fulfilling about bringing your story to life through your work.
My Essential Supplies for This Project
• Aurifil Threads: 80wt in black for those fine, detailed lines and 12wt in yellow and red for bold, eye-catching accents.
• Milward In-Between Hand Quilting Needles, fabric scissors, and a Quilter’s Clapper to keep stitches even and seams smooth.
• Oliso Mini Iron: A must-have for crisp, neat edges, especially for finishing touches on the binding.
• Techniques: Reverse appliqué to create layered depth and big stitch quilting to make the symbols stand out.
• Inspiration: Adinkra symbols—timeless icons representing resilience, wisdom, connection to nature, and the journey of life.
Thanks for following along on this project! Let me know how you use symbols or storytelling in your work—I’d love to hear your thoughts. Here’s to stretching our creativity, one stitch at a time!
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