Thursday, March 15, 2012

Alice's Element Quilt: The Four Basic Elements

The Four Basic Elements:  Air (Sky), Water, Fire, and Earth


The ancient philosophers believed that the world and everything in it was composed of four basic elements: air, water, fire, and earth. My quilt is an abstract design using batiks that represent these four. One of our Mavens commented last time (and she meant this as a compliment, certainly NOT a criticism) that I often used realistic images in my 12 x 12 quilts. "Ah ha," I thought, "time for me to try an abstract!" So the inspiration for this Element quilt was two-fold--the ancients' beliefs about these elements and a fellow Maven's comment!

I first made many sketches using free-flowing and curving lines, with only the flames hinting at realism. When I finally came up with a design I liked, I used it for my cartoon. I traced the resulting shapes onto tracing paper to make templates.  Previously I had chosen four sets of batik fabrics that spoke to me of air or sky, water, fire, and earth. These I had then prepared with Wonder Under. I cut out the shapes using the paper templates and fused them down onto polyester felt for batting. I used the original cartoon to guide me in placement of the many shapes. I added in a few others where I felt more were needed. Finally, I echo quilted inside each shape by machine.

Actually, this quilt, fortunately begun well before our tragic family event in February, is two-sided. I first tried a technique I've long wanted to try, string piecing. I used the same batiks that ended up on the front and many other fabrics as well.  I thought it was striking, but it didn't have quite the look I was hoping for.  It seemed too structured, too traditional. It was too pretty to discard, though, so I decided to use it for the backing.  



16 comments:

  1. Perfect! Love how you completely captured the four elements in such a simple yet stunning piece. Looking forward to seeing the second photo.

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    1. Remember, Andrea, when I was discussing my indecision about which one of these two designs to use? I had almost decided on the string-pieced one, when an artist cousin of mine was emphatic about the other one being the better design! Now I agree with her.

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  2. Hi Alice,
    So glad that you agreed with your cousin, which I think is the much stronger interpretation and far more interesting to "linger" over, but am glad that you used your second version on the back!

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  3. I was so envious of your solution and proud how artful yours is.
    But I am pleased with both sides and feel I was too lazy, except I now I love to hold mine since it glows so. I do wonder why we chose the same four elements. Good speculation. I assumed it would have been the first choice for anyone.

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  4. Really like your interpretation and the choice of fabrics!

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  5. Alice, we've finally returned the "grands" home and I'm free to comment on the 12 x 12s. Congratulations on working outside the box. I must follow suit. I love both sides of your quilt, but am glad you chose the free-form one for the front. Great job!

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  6. My gosh Alice, I hope you are not offended but I like the backing as much as the front! I truly appreciate your techniques and stretching yourself with this project but I have to say the shear simplicity of the backing is profound in keeping with your theme. There I go again with the word 'simplicity', but when you see my piece you'll understand. I am blown away with everyone's submissions and I haven't even seen them all.

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  7. Alice I love your simplicity and flowing nature of the design. Impressed that you were actually able to get this project finished with your February.

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  8. Great job Alice. I do believe that both sides are very successful

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  9. Hi Alice - I love the work you do, and as always, your fabric choices are perfect ! Using the fabrics you'd string pieced together for the back was wonderful - 2 quilts at the same time.

    Peace & blessings to you and your family - we look forward to having you back here in Central Texas soon. Love, Kathy

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  10. Thanks to all my dear Mavens for your comments. I have now traveled from MI to CA. Our little granddaughter (11) is in the school play, so this weekend, we'll see several performances. I'll be here until 3/23. Sometime soon after that, I'll snap that photo of the bound and quilted quilt and substitute it for the photo of the unfinished Element Quilt!

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  11. Alice,
    I love both sides of your quilt! The front has wonderful movement. They definitely depict the four elements. The back is just as striking to me because of the way the square in the middle is made and then the corners radiate out. If you put a lot of those blocks together it would make such an interesting pattern.

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  12. Alice, both sides are so different and yet both portray the 4 elements beautifully!

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  13. Good binding also...very subtle...just the right touch...

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  14. Great job, Alice ! So nice to have you back here with us in Texas. See you soon..... :-) Kathy

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  15. The backing is very striking. The colors are beautiful. I don't mind the structure at all.
    NM

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