Sara's Green Quilt

After a great deal of dithering on this theme, I finally decided to "go green". I picked up a quilt that I started at International Quilt Festival and slashed through it to recycle the green leaves that I had previously quilted. I went through a very old bag of scraps to reuse leftovers. I try to experiment with new techniques with each of quilt challenges. This time, I decided to try piecing the quilts on my longarm- I had just completed a quilt that was smaller than the backing so there was extra backing already pinned to the machine rollers. I put a square of batting down on top of the backing and added each piece using a ruler and straight line quilt as you go. I knew I wanted to practice ruler work and I know I needed the practice after I ended up deflecting the needle into the bobbin case and needed major repairs. (Not sure how the needle fell into the spinning bobbin but my dear husband knows a lot more about sewing machine mechanics now and my wonderful machine is doing beautiful stitches again). I added more quilting and a facing. I then decided to add paint to one of the pieces that had a white background that bothered me. So here it is, a quilt in a green color, with spring green leaves, with re-purposed and recycled fabrics (and dear husband says I shouldn't leave out that I was a greenhorn using this piecing technique)

JW's: Garden Greenery

Green is my Dad’s favorite color.  Growing up in a green house with green kitchen cabinets and oh yes... that pure green carpet - ugh!  It wasn’t that I detested green, I just appreciate the entire rainbow.  Funny how some things revisit my life.  Our green house exterior is a prelude to several shades of green walls throughout the interior.   Even my new studio remodel is now awash in a pale yellowish green paint. 

Actually I’m surrounded by green because my favorite outdoor home hobby is gardening with special attention to adding a variety of greenery amidst my flowers.  My husbands summer priority is keeping our lawn the lushest green on the street and then we both play on golf greens as often as possible in our spare time ~ depicted with the green grass border fabric.

My quilt subject is dedicated to enjoying God’s green earth whether it is in my garden, on the course or in my mind.  I sketched this ornamental vignette with pencil and paper to actual size, then transferred the design using dressmakers carbon to trace the outline directly to my hand-dyed fabric background.  I originally intended to embroider the scene in black thread but chose to work the lines and shading entirely with a Pigma MICRON 01 permanent black archival ink pen for the finest detail.  It is acid free and my number one choice for writing my quilt labels on fabric.

Embellishments include 1/8th inch satin ribbon, various glass beads and a wire beaded dragonfly I made almost 10 years ago.  I wanted to keep the background simple so I used (60 wt.) Madiera clear monofilament for my topstich and smoke colored  Madeira monofilament for my bobbin thread which I free-motion quilted around the drawn shapes after the beading.  I tacked the dragonfly on last.  I think more light contrast would have helped the overall look but I worked with what was on hand.  My studio is spread to all corners of the house and garage so this was more of a challenge than I usually encounter to be finished on time.  

PS.  My first photo isn't true to color or in clear focus.  I took several shots indoors and out with various settings.  I was having trouble with my camera and low batteries.  I will replace with a better photo as soon as possible.  I'm heading to the golf course - I'm in a tournament in 2 hrs.!  I have cut this blog submission close because I just finished the piece an hour ago.