Milkweed and Hummingbirds

Photos I took of milkweed plants in bloom and hummingbirds inspired this quilt. I knew that milkweed attracted monarch butterflies, but was surprised to learn that hummingbirds also love to drink the nectar. I sketched out the pattern for the leaves and bright flowers, setting them against a black and dark-green background for contrast. Using my photos of broad-tailed hummingbirds, I created prints on fabric and thread painted to show the shimmering colors of their feathers.