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This atara journey has ended

Usually when I finish a piece, all I can focus on is all of the little ways it is imperfect. Eventually, with a enough time and distance, I can re focus on what makes the piece good.

Elan's atara seems to be an exception to that quirk of mine.

I love this atara. I love how it works with this particular tallit.

I chose the blue and white checked ribbon because it echos the weave of the tallit. The colors are a bit too strong so I toned the strong blue down with the silver scallop stitch and i went a bit further by using a silvery grey embroidery thread to stitch the atara to the tallit.

I LOVE how the silver scallop stitch over the checkerboard feels like sun glinting off of water when the sun is a bit low on the horizon.






A Jewish ritual object unlike a painting on the wall, has to work  both close up as well as from a distance. This atara will be experienced by Elan when he holds the tallit close up to his face before donning it. It will be also experienced close up by the people who sit behind Elan at services.
An atara also has to work at a less myopic distance, as the tallit is folded up to be put away or unfolded to be worn.


Because a tallit is worn so often, and looked at so often, it is important that it yield up new visual pleasures over time.




I think that this atara can stand the test of being gazed at over a long period of time.

It is all packed up and as soon as I finish typing I go off to the post office to mail it to Elan.
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