My Brothers

I’ve been thinking about making a quilt inspired by this photo (composite) of my two brothers.My Brothers - making faces. Ellen Lindner, AdventureQuilter.com/blog

I took quite a few photos that day and loosely merged 3 to get this composite.  In the quilt I’ll leave out the extra arm and the clay pigeon thrower.

This will be a special quilt for several reasons.
– My brother Ricky, on the left, is no longer alive.
– It depicts a family tradition: target shooting on the farm after Thanksgiving dinner.
– In shows both brothers relaxed, and in their element.  They are/were both excellent marksmen.
– It will complement an earlier family quilt I made.  I’ve sized it accordingly.
– It relates well to a current call for art titled “Guns:  Loaded Conversations.”

For this project I knew I’d need something I seldom use: a pattern.  At least for the two men. I created it with a combination of computer editing and good old tracing.

My Brothers - making faces. Ellen Lindner, AdventureQuilter.com/blog

Next came fabric selection for the faces.  Maybe something like this.  (Or do I need a darker one?)

My Brothers - making faces. Ellen Lindner, AdventureQuilter.com/blog

I used the “cutout” filter in Photoshop Elements to help me finalize the pattern for Ricky’s face.

My Brothers - making faces. Ellen Lindner, AdventureQuilter.com/blog

My process was to fuse fabrics for the features, cut out pattern shapes, and fuse/assemble them on parchment paper.  That latter part was new for me and more than once I fused fabric to my pattern instead!

Here’s his finished face and I’m extremely happy with it.

My Brothers - making faces. Ellen Lindner, AdventureQuilter.com/blog

This looks just like him.  So much so that both my sister and mother were startled when they stumbled upon it on Facebook.  Yay!  I think I’m on track.  What do you think?

Ellen Lindner

 

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17 Responses to My Brothers

  1. Ingrid Bischoff September 21, 2017 at 8:00 am #

    It looks great! One of these days I’ll have to actually open up and look at my photoshop!

  2. Suzanne September 21, 2017 at 8:59 am #

    Love this!! What a thrill to see what will surely be a treasured family heirloom in the making.

    • Ellen Lindner September 26, 2017 at 10:06 pm #

      Thanks, Suzanne. I can’t wait to show it to my family.

  3. Eleanor Levie September 21, 2017 at 9:00 am #

    Fun with the extra arm. I’d call it ” the right to bear arms…5 of them.”

    • Ellen Lindner September 21, 2017 at 1:40 pm #

      Thanks, Ingrid. Photo editing is really helpful for this sort of thing. I use Photoshop Elements. It’s kinda challenging to learn. I recommend a good tutorial or maybe even an online class.

      Ellen

    • Ellen Lindner September 21, 2017 at 1:41 pm #

      Eleanor, you’re cracking me up!

  4. Cindy September 21, 2017 at 9:22 am #

    I think you are brave, bold and right on. Perfect on so many levels.

    • Ellen Lindner September 21, 2017 at 1:42 pm #

      Thanks, Cindy!

  5. Barbara September 21, 2017 at 9:54 am #

    You’re doing an amazing realisted job!

    • Ellen Lindner September 26, 2017 at 10:05 pm #

      Thanks, Barbara! I’m having fun with it.

  6. Kristin F September 21, 2017 at 10:14 am #

    It looks great, Ellen. I am sorry for the loss of your brother.

    • Ellen Lindner September 21, 2017 at 1:44 pm #

      Thanks Kristin. He died too young but I’m glad i’ll have a memory of him in this quilt.

  7. Degen Sayer September 21, 2017 at 10:30 am #

    I wish you would give an online class in this technique.

    • Ellen Lindner September 21, 2017 at 1:45 pm #

      Hmm, interesting thought Degen.

  8. Michele K September 21, 2017 at 10:50 am #

    So far, so good. What is your fusible of choice?

    • Ellen Lindner September 21, 2017 at 1:47 pm #

      I’m using Misty Fuse.

  9. Sue Eppard September 21, 2017 at 11:29 am #

    Ellen, I’m wondering if you pixelated this picture as you did that of your 3 cousins skipping. Is your brother’s face fabric (nose & forehead) pieced or did you find perfect fabric?

    Always love watching you express yourself with your talent. Thanks!

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