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| Spiral Close-Up |
When this theme was announced, spiral designs danced through my head day and night. What fun this was going to be! I spent hours looking at scores of pictures of spirals in nature. Then I started drawing designs. My intent was to draw a complicated design that I would then translate into fabric. But alas, nothing seemed to suit me. So, I decided to just start cutting and assembling fabric. I backed my fabrics with Wonder Under and once cooled, removed the paper backing. Then I started building my design on relief paper. For the center of my design, I used a batik featuring a spiral design. Then I built the design from the center outward using batiks and hand-dyed fabrics. I played with the design until it was visually pleasing.
For me, the
design mimics my idea of a meteorite particle swirling around in space. I had fun adding motion to the piece with
machine quilting. I will use spirals again, but have since thought of a different way to achieve a more complex design!
I was privileged to have a sneak peek at this quilt, since Carolyn and I have just spent time together at a workshop. Both of us brought several of our MM quilts, including our spiral quilts. You've done a beautiful job with machine quilting, capturing the movement of the spiral. I love the various fabrics you chose, both for the spiral itself and for the little "off shoots," for want of a better term!
ReplyDeleteYour little meteorite really does seem to be spinning in a beautifully colored outerspace. The contrast in color of the background and the peachy-yellow "offshoots" along with the machine quilting give it the impression of motion which I really like.
ReplyDeleteThe dark green outline is great and makes me think of a small creature inside it's shell dreaming of what it would be like where he could stretch and play in the water. The orange strips look like his friends are waving at him and are excited that he is coming out to play. I wonder what kind of game they will play. Love your color choices!
ReplyDeleteIsn't Mother Nature wonderful? When you start looking it seems spirals are one of her favorite things. I love the movement of your design.
ReplyDeleteI was so pleased to read that this is a meteorite swirling around because that was the first thing I thought of when I saw your quilt! I love the motion you have achieved with your quilting, color choices & design.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite elements in your design are the 'embryonic' or seed-like fabric center, the bright contrasting colors and the sense of motion. Your quilt definitely has an organic feel to it. Nice job.
ReplyDeleteI love the composition and the colors...make me so happy...but am not sure about relief paper...what it is...unless it is something you build your design on and then it washes away after you have stitched all.
ReplyDeleteYour supposition is correct, up to a point. When fusing, especially with tiny pieces, you build your little detail section on silicon or parchment and even iron it, so all the little pieces stay together. Then it releases from the paper--doesn't stick to them--and you can then place it in your quilt and iron it down permanently. Carolyn, I believed, learned this technique at QA's workshop in March, the Laura Wasilowski one, and then Sue Benner showed us this past week how to do it. It's a great technique!
DeleteDon't you just love it when a plan comes together and everything just sort of falls into place ! I enjoyed your commentary and how the design elements found their way to each other :-)
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