The Queen quilt is dead. Yes, dead. I started on the embroidery and a little of the applique last night and I got bored. Quilting at night is one of the most soothing things I do all day. It usually excites me and challenges me. The Queen quilt is too much like my paintings. I need my quilts to bring different feelings out of me. So, the Queen is dead.
But, I think this next quilt might make it all the way to the end.
Archive for the ‘Making Art’ Category
I hate to break it to you……
Friday, March 14th, 2008Next step on the Queen quilt.
Thursday, March 13th, 2008
I have made the basic pattern which I will use to embroider the queen image. I made this pattern by scanning in the drawing into Adobe Illustrator and then printing it out in sections on 8.5″ x 11″ paper. I then taped these paper panels together, cutting away paper on the back so I would have only a single layer of paper. Now all I would have to do is either draw on the pattern with a iron-on transfer pencil and iron the design on my fabric or tape the pattern onto a window, then tape the fabric over the pattern (letting the sun shine through and reveal the pattern) and using a fabric pen to trace the pattern onto the fabric. I haven’t decide which method to use yet.
Felting Tutorial!
Wednesday, March 12th, 2008
Hey, my friend Caroline has this cool felted slipper tutorial going. Check it out. If you do the project let her know, who knows, she might post you on her blog.
White Deer Quilt. It’s Finished!!
Monday, February 25th, 2008While I was away in Texas I spent every evening working on the White Deer Quilt. Basically I had all the appliqued shapes stitched to the background material and had put together the front piece, batting and back piece. I know some of you would like to know the methods I used in putting the 3 layers of a quilt together, but I am hoping to do a full tutorial, on a much easier quilt, later.
Just in case you are wondering, I don’t use a frame or hoop to quilt. I have everything well based together so the layers stay in place.
The finished size is 32″ x 48″. This size is arbitrary. Just for fun you should compare the original drawing (click on the tutorial category) with the finished piece.
Click on the image below and get a little peek at the new quilt I just started!
White Deer Quilt, finished embroidery and border
Monday, February 4th, 2008Since I last wrote about this quilt I have finished all the embroidery, and appliqued the image onto a green background. I appliqued the deer image onto the background fabric just like I appliqued all the small fabric shapes and the deer. Notice that the wavy edge around the deer is on purpose. It also looks kind of weird because of my camera angle. I finished the edge with the maid’s hair stitch. I had originally planned for a bright red border, but then I discovered this acid green. I think it makes the image pop.
Remember to click on the images to get a more detailed view. Also, to see the whole tutorial go to my categories and click on tutorials.
Replys to questions most asked about my quilting methods.
Friday, January 25th, 20081. How do you size your quilts?
It’s all visual with me. It just has to look right. My quilts are not made to be used on a bed or anything else. They are wall hangings.
2. Do you hand applique?
Yes. I love doing as much by hand as possible. I don’t feel comfortable with machines and I don’t care for fusable applique. This is just personal taste. I don’t feel everyone should be like me. Plus, I like things to look hand made.
3. Do you embroider to cover the edges of the applique?
Yes and no. I often embroider the edge of my applique, but I don’t need to. I finally have gotten enough skill that my applique looks pretty sweet.
4. How do you do the finish layout of the appliqued shapes onto the background fabric?
First, using pins, I make a pin line that is square on the background fabric. Then I place and move around the applique pieces until it visually looks good to me.
If you have any more questions just let me know.
The next step in the White Deer Quilt; with Applique Tutorials.
Monday, January 21st, 2008After my last post I have spent between 2 and 3 hours to get to the next step. I have appliqued the white deer to the background material and have begun the embroidery.
I have used the Stem, Seed and Chain embroidery stitches so far. The pink of the ears, eyes and nose are appliqued onto the white. Make sure to click on the images below to get the close up views, especially the tutorials.
White Deer: I’m starting on a new Quilt
Sunday, January 20th, 2008I finished creating paintings for my show in Texas. All that is left is the shipping. So, I now have time at night to start a new quilt. Here is the beginning sketch and some possible color fabric choices. The dark gold flower pattern will be the background and the light white floral print will be the deer. I will be using tons of different fabrics, but these are my newest purchases just for this quilt. I will try to blog about each new step in making this quilt.
