Thursday, January 15, 2015

Alice's Modern Quilt--Buttons on Silk


As soon as I learned that Modern was our new theme, the term “modern art” popped into my head and wouldn’t leave.  And so my quilt is an modern art abstract.  I used thrift-store silk garments, as well as a piece of hand-dyed silk.   This I had dyed myself after reading an article in a QUILTING ARTS magazine in 2006.  (This technique used men’s silk ties, a plain piece of white silk, and a vinegar bath.)

After my quilt was finished and pinned to the design wall, I was dissatisfied with it.  I called my husband in to view it.  His reaction:  “Hmm, now what was the theme?  Oh, yes, modern; okay, I see, abstract modern art.  Nice colors.”

Well, he might as well have gone on to say, “But it’s pretty boring.”  Having spent way too many hours on it already, however, I wasn’t about to start over.  (Besides, this was already Modern Version #2!)  Then as I was cleaning up my studio, I happened to notice the plackets on the thrift-store blouses I had used.  With nothing much in mind, I cut them off, perhaps thinking I’d snip off their buttons.

But then it occurred to me that these plackets might be added to the quilt.  I pinned them on, and voila, all of a sudden the quilt looked much better.  Boring became more interesting.  Thus was born the name of my quilt, which was a bit better than “Silks in Abstract,” its first title!  (PS Coincidentally, in the latest issue of QUILTING ARTS a quilt is pictured with a title very like mine!  I think it's called Silk and Buttons, which before I spotted it was the title I had planned to use!)

Silk pieces are fused onto a silk background with Wonder Under.  I machine quilted it, used cotton batting,  and bound it with a fused binding of the green silk used in the quilt. 

14 comments:

  1. Nice, Alice! Good use of those button plackets.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think the button plackets were the perfect addition. It has a modern crazy quilt look! Nice!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I really like this Alice! Love the complete use of silk and the clever addition of the button plackets. Who would have thought? A great interpretation of abstract art!

    ReplyDelete
  4. The buttons do add a lot. I love the balance of colors

    ReplyDelete
  5. I like Nedra's comment about it being a modern crazy quilt. Everything modern comes from something old. That is perfect. How wonderful to have those beautiful silk pieces to use in your quilt.

    ReplyDelete
  6. So very cool,Alice, a modern crazy quilt. The solution was right under your nose. This is a very unique quilt. I adore the plackets! Never would have thought to do that. Wouldn't that be a fun challenge to use recycled beauty? You absolutely amaze me with your take on things! I bet you've always marched to a different drummer. And it's our good fortune that you do!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Alice - What a great quilt, and a perfect interpretation of Modern ! I was able to pick out some of the beautiful silks from the silk ties, and the buttons added that just-right touch to make your quilt a Modern Abstract !
    BTW.... I recently either read an article or watched a very short quilting "how to" video on using silk ties for "Piping" (as on piped edges for pillows), etc. And last week found a fabulous source for very inexpensive silk ties in Waco ! Let me know if you're interested :-D

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great re-purposing of fabrics - the button packets are a great addition for a touch of the unexpected. Do you use dye in your silk process or are you just transferring dye from the silk ties to the white silk?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sara, I am thinking of "teaching" that dyeing method in Nantucket! No dyes. You use cut-apart men's ties, wrap them in plain white or cream silk, roll, tie tightly, and put in a vinegar bath. The dyes and patterns from the ties transfer to the plain fabric. It's easy, fun, SAFE, no fumes, with unexpected results, and you're using common household products. I'll probably buy a cheap, used big old pan at Goodwill or some place, start scouting for ties between now and then, buy some JoAnn's silk yardage, and ship them to Tricia before the "retreat" so as not to overload my suitcase! So I've got "dibs" on this technique to teach the Mavens in May! Alice

      Delete
    2. Maybe I should send you all our out of style ties.
      NM

      Delete
  9. I think you stepped out of your box a bit. That is a super piece of modern art! The button plackets add so much.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love the happy colors and the buttons add not only texture but help the eye move around to take in all of the beautiful silks. Looking forward to learning your technique of dyeing / transferring color and imagery from ties to silk yardage!

    ReplyDelete
  11. It is beautiful Alice and the button plackets are a wonderful final touch. I am happy to let you have "dibs" on the dying technique and am very much looking forward to seeing how it is done.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love the modern crazy quilt look!
    So clever and wonderfully bright and happy!!!!

    ReplyDelete