Thursday, September 15, 2011

Alice's Quilt--Asian Harmonies

Asian Harmonies

I planned early on to use the Chinese characters for harmony--printed, painted, or appliquéd onto my background fabric.   Perhaps use them with the ancient Taoist Yin-Yang symbol.  But how to integrate the images?  Then I found some lovely Asian fabric, featuring Koi. My brother had once had Koi in a pool in his replica of a Japanese garden, so why not mix Chinese and Japanese symbols?  The curves in the bodies of the fish seemed to echo the curves of the Yin-Yang.  So I sketched a Yin-Yang and cut out two fish.  The Koi fit neatly inside.   

I was eager to try sun printing.  So for the background I painted some PFD fabric with two different blue acrylic paints and mixed in a bit of black.  Using freezer paper, I traced the Chinese characters and then cut stencils from craft foam.  Placing the stencils on the painted fabric, I waited for the hot Texas sun to do its magic.  I cut out the Yin-Yang from coral and turquoise fabric scraps.  I first appliquéd it down onto the background, and then the two printed Koi, using a tiny zig-zag stitch.  Broderie Perse appliqué, in other words:  another technique I’ve always wanted to try!

I machine quilted around each of the Chinese characters and quilted concentric circles around the Yin-Yang symbol and concentric arcs in three corners.  I used the pillowcase method for finishing the quilt. I've struggled with a name for my quilt; I finally settled on "Asian Harmonies."

9 comments:

  1. Alice, the may be my favorite of all your quilts. I LOVE it...and am so impressed with your techniques and the design.

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  2. Alice, I absolutely LOVE this! A very clever design, and excellent use of color. I love that you used a different applique technique and incorporated the sun printing. The beautiful koi are an effective representation of yin-yang. A great little quilt!

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  3. The color and movement in your quilt are wonderful! It is a fantastic piece!

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  4. This is terrific! What a neat idea. So original. MKBD

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  5. I love this quilt and the techniques you chose to explore. The design really evokes the theme perfectly.

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  6. I think you have hidden your light under a bushel. This is totally marvelous. It is awesome how the koi fit perfectly inside the yin-yang. And I love the sun assisted background. Wonderful, wondeful.

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  7. Uplifting! You captured the yin-yang. The sun lights it all.

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  8. I love Asian graphics, and your arrangement is very artistic. The sun printing contributes to the harmonic theme. Your use of the koi as yin-yang. Truly beautiful!
    NM

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  9. Truly peaceful & harmonious Alice - I can almost hear the gentle lapping of water as your fish swim round.

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