Ready for Auction

The time has finally arrived!

The auction will take place next month! It is bittersweet for me because I enjoyed seeing all the little faces as I was working on this quilt (and secretly I was completely ok with keeping it).

I photographed each student, resized to make the silhouettes even, cut silhouettes out in fabric/interfacing, and stitched them on blocks. I decided on the piano key boarder to add even more color. This is a very bright quilt!:)

When I photographed the students, I had them to write their name on index cards. I made a scrapbook and put their signatures in order by their location on the quilt. This way the winning bidder will have a way to identify each student.

This quilt was designed for display only, there is sleeve on the back. It will have to be a sizable wall, the quilt measures 68" x 88".

After, I sewed the top, I had knee surgery. Ugh! I was so bummed because the recovery period was long (and still ongoing) and I wasn't sure if I would finish it in time. I decided to do something I have never done before, send it out for quilting. And it was a great decision! Kathleen Haskett was wonderful. She was great to work with and so knowledgeable. I have a new friend in my sewing circle.

What I would do differently! Although, I stitched around each silhouette, I would have adhered the silhouettes to the block with double-sided interfacing. Once the top was quilted, the silhouettes float from the block, it distorts the faces and creates lots of shadows.

Overall, I do like the way it turned out! It definitely increased my desire to get a long arm quilting machine. I really don't have the space for one so I will look at some smaller versions that I have seen online.    

                                                                                Art Is Life!

My First Portrait Art Piece

In a college art class, we were assigned an art project-complete a self portrait in any medium. Being textile obsessed, I naturally gravitated to fabric. I was so excited about this project even though I'd never attempted anything like this. 

I used all commercial fabrics purchased from a quilt shop, got really lucky in finding enough colors in the same tone/value. A few classmates laughed because Im green but I was pleased with how it turned out. The only comment that got a little under my skin was made by the instructor. He advised that it was a bit on the crafty side. I disagreed and suggested he do more research on textile art!

I have learned a lot since completing this piece (I hope) and I am currently working on a piece now. I recently purchased an overhead projector so I can make it any size which is great. Detail pics to follow!

                                                              Art Is Life!

The Beach Quilt Finished

Having the photograph as a color guide was helpful. I don't if it will remind my friend of the

                                           beaches of her homeland but I tried.:)                              

                             I do like the color combinations, so beachy (at least to me)!

During the quilting process, I noticed that the quilt was streeeetching on me. The bottom doesn't lay down flat. I have never had this happen to me so I was like "What the what!". After reading and talking to a "Professional Quilter" she offered some suggestions on what might has caused this to happen. The more I quilt, the more I learn!

Art is Life!