I first noticed I couldn’t see well in the 4th grade. My teacher sat us according to grade point average and since I was a good student I was placed in the last row. I had to squint to see the blackboard. The eye doctor confirmed that my vision was worse than 20/400 and so began my journey as Four Eyes.
My first pair of glasses were cat eye glasses that had a dramatic upsweep at the outer edge. They were all the rage in the 1960s worn by models and movie stars and royalty. I remember sitting at the optometry shop thinking I was pretty cool with these movie star glasses.
But back at school the kids didn’t think so. Four eyes, specs, window eyes, glass clown – I’m sure you’ve heard them all. Insults, kids being kids. The glasses brought unwanted attention and I had to figure a way to escape the hurt. I started imagining what it would look like if they had four eyes. Where would the extra eyes be located? Would they all be the same color? Would they have eyelashes? Would the eyes blink in unison or never blink? Could you stack them up?
Before I was 12 I ditched the glasses for contact lenses. I was back to having two green eyes and all was well. For about 40 years. As my eyes aged, the contacts ceased to work. So back to the glasses. But as is the case with many things (mushrooms come to mind), the glasses that caused so much distress in 4th grade have become a great source of comfort in my sixties. I use them to sew and stitch and stare at my design wall. And I remember the Four Eyed friends of my 10-year old imagination.
Four Eyes
Susan Lapham
Dimensions: 40″ x 20″
Material: Commercial and hand dyed cotton
Technique: Machine pieced, longarm quilted
I ove this. The background is so subtle and rich. A witty and wonderful piece. Hurray!
thank you Vickie! Glad you noticed – the curves are supposed to be eyelashes!
You just described my own journey! I got my glasses in third grade, and contacts lenses in my teens, then lasik in my 40’s I think. Now I’m back to glasses for the rest of my life! I also am happy I can see. Especially to see this quilt! It is making me smile.
thank you Martha! Made me smile too the entire time I was working on it.
What a beautiful story for a quilt. You will certainly be proud of this abstract result. I love it.
thank you Elfriede!
What a fun interpretation, that really has a great impact!
Thank you Regina! It was a fun quilt to make and after a couple of other attempts working with this prompt, this one fell into place quickly!
What a FUN quilt!! Except for the story of the mean kids. I hope that children are more tolerant and accepting nowdays.
Thank you Karol! I think glasses are considered “cool” these days. My niece wanted them even before her eyes went bad. She says they are a fashion accessory now. Who knew?! 🙂
What a wonderful quilt, and wonderful inspiration, too! I share your story, except I didn’t like those cat eye glasses…my grandmother wore them, with rhinestones in the corners, so they were the epitome of uncool for me! The quilt is a wonderful exorcism! The eyes have it!
Thank you Sue! Those cat eye glasses were either loved or hated – but now they are coming back into style!! My co-worker just got a pair. What comes around goes around.
Love the graphic nature of this quilt Susan
Thank you Lisa! Graphic indeed!!
I can relate. Glasses since age 7. I did not find mine stylish at all. Contacts at 13. Reading glasses over contacts, and now bifocals. I’m just so happy that my vision was correctable. Otherwise I would have gone through life looking at the world as an impressionist painting. I love your quilt!
Thanks Deb! Yes, my world is still an impressionist painting without the glasses! I use it to my advantage in looking at the design wall at times!