Wow ! What exciting adventure this has been ! New Theme and a new Format ! I spent quite a bit of time thinking about how I wanted to portray "Contrast" and finally decided that: #1 I would make no new purchases; I'd only use things I already had in my Studio; and #2 I would include fabrics that are Organic, fabrics that are Glamorous, and fabrics that would complement the organic and glamorous theme.
The picture below shows the black floral fabric I used for the backing and the binding. The yellow fabric with the small black "bubble" circles was used as the sub-strate for the "glamorous" fabric that's a sheer olive green / bronze poly blend with beautiful gold 'beads' that were commercially attached. The 'organic' fabric on the bottom right is fabric that I "rust-dyed" here in Texas, using bits and pieces of rusty-stuff I found in the fields around our home in Texas and when I lived in Anchorage, Alaska.
Keeping with my organic & glamorous theme, I found pictures of the beautiful flowers in a book that used Art Deco designs from 1938. I made 'patterns' of the flowers using my "Light Tracer" light box which made tracing the flowers a breeze ! I layered the backing fabric and batting, then used "Misty Fuse" to attach the sub-strate and glamorous fabrics to each other. After pinning all 4 layers together, I machine appliqued the flowers through all layers of fabric. Holo-Shimmer threads by Sulky were used to applique the flowers and to create the stems and leaves of the flowers. (When using any of the metallic threads, I always use a Metallica needle, and "Sewers Aid" to lubricate the thread which helps make the thread more manageable !)
And then my most favorite part of the process.... the quilting ! Taking my lead from the yellow / black fabric, I free-motion quilted hundreds of "bubbles" around the flowers, being very careful not to hit any of the gold beads with my needle. Are they bubbles ? Is it the morning mist ? Is it the dew and the stars in the twilight hours ?
Since this is an Art Quilt and won't ever see the inside of a washing machine or dryer, I tried something entirely new (to me) for the binding. I cut the binding strips using a standard rotary cutter for one side of the strips, and a wavy-edge rotary cutter for the other side of the strips. I sewed the "regular cut" side strips to the front /side of the quilt, then turned the wavy-edge sides of each strip to the back of the quilt, then pressed / ironed them into place using "Heat n Bond Hem" iron-on adhesive. This same process was used to attach the top and bottom binding strips. And voila ! my bindings were finished :-D
I also used Heat n Bond Hem adhesive to attach the hanging sleeve / label.
What a fun quilt! I love your machine quilting. I cant imagine trying to quilt around the beads. Great job.
ReplyDeleteVery striking quilt, Kathy! As always, your machine work is just breath-taking. Mavens, it's important to "click to enlarge" this quilt Kathy made, to see just how lovely is her stitchery!
ReplyDeleteAmazing!!!! You always come up with something new and interesting to challenge yourself! You should be thrilled with this! Just lovely!
ReplyDeleteSo many techniques - must have been lots of fun.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt Kathy! Thanks for the wonderful explanation. Always love to look at your free-motion stitching! Nice!
ReplyDeleteSo rich looking and yet so earthy. Exquisite quilting.
ReplyDeleteGreat use of fabric to interpret theme.
You did a great job on the quilting on this quilt. The flowers are so graceful. I sure would love to see the glamorous fabrics in person - I can't imagine how you managed to work around the beads - very successful piece
ReplyDeleteIt's one of those quilts that you can't resist reaching out to run your finders over. I'm not sure I understand all you did but then I can't remember my name sometimes. Is is beautiful
ReplyDeleteThis wonderful art just asks to be stroked. Beautiful Kathy!
ReplyDeleteI too love how you define your plans and what materials you will use and proceed with your choices. It took rereading to understand exactly what you did, but now I realized how you achieved the textures and colors of the background and flowers. Amazing free motion quilting especially around all those beads!!! Like the contrast of shimmer and matte textures. Wish I could see in person!
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful quilt! I love your use of contrasting fabrics and the wonderful effect you obtained with your quilting. I find it fun to try different techniques and materials. Obviously, you do also.
ReplyDeleteThe contrast of elegant fabric and rust stained fabric are perfect. Enjoyed reading your process too.
ReplyDeleteI so want to see this quilt in person! Thank you for your explanations, although I would love to see a photo that shows the binding, as the fabric looks gorgeous and I think would frame so elegantly!
ReplyDeleteYour quilting is just wonderful and I truly applaud you for using what you already own!