After completing the flowers in my poppy project, it was time to audition fabrics for stems and buds. I also played around with how to best achieve the back lighting on the stems. My plan was to use a white paint pen, in a sort of dotted (fuzzy) effect. That seems to be the right…
As I told you in a previous post, I’ve been needing a new sample for my class “Design Your Own Nature Quilt.” After selecting an inspiration photo and drawing a sketch, I got started. First I selected fabrics. And then got started on the background. I typically use a lot of different fabrics for the…
My “Floral Improv” class is a very productive one. In one day students: – Make flowers without a pattern – Design an effective composition – Add stitching – Learn how to use a facing for finishing But, more importantly, the students always get fabulous results! Pam’s dark background was very effective and her leaf fabric…
I always love teaching and a recent class in The Villages, FL was no exception. The class was called “Floral Improv” and we had a GREAT time together! Although I didn’t get photos of every quilter with her results, I think you can see the joy on the faces of those I did capture. They…
I have a new lecture that’s rather fun, called “Confessions of a Fabric Whisperer.” (Actually, I’ve changed the name about three times, but I think this might stick.) In this presentation I give an amusing accounting of some of the wacky things I’ve done over the years in the pursuit of creating art quilts. Some of…
I used to teach a class called Instant Art Quilt. In it, students started with a gorgeous piece of hand dyed fabric, (the kind you’re afraid to cut up,) and I lead them through tearing it up and rearranging the pieces. The results were always beautiful and my students really enjoyed the class. “This has…
I belong to SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates) which has an auction each fall as a fund raiser. Members are asked to donate 12″ x 12″ quilts which are auctioned off online. I wanted to participate but was a little pressed for time. Therefore, I decided to revisit an earlier quilt idea. I decided to…
Remember this quilt, which I completed recently? It sold almost right away to an artist friend of mine. She says it “nagged” at her for several weeks after first seeing it, so she knew she had to have it. And also that it would fit their new home very well. And boy does it. Isn’t…
I’ve really enjoyed adding hand stitching to my indigo piece. I selected three colors of embroidery floss and used them alternately. I started with a simple running stitch in the chevron area, later backed up with a stem stitch. Machine quilting was later added to play up the chevron pattern. I also used stem stitching…
I really enjoy teaching my class “Design Your Own Nature Quilt!” In it, students learn about design and composition, then use their own photos to create a quilt. The results are always great and the process is exhilarating. (Actually, the process can also be a little intimidating but the students are told to pack their…