Winding Down on Floral Commission Quilt
Well, I decided on purples centers for these “black” eyed susans. Then, I tackled the quilting. As usual, I outlined the petals with two very imperfect rows of black stitching. It really helps define the floral shapes. Other areas were quilted with matching thread.
Click on any image for a larager view
My photos of these flowers showed the more mature ones with little vertical “nubs” in their centers. I decided to replicate those with hand stitching. In the photo below, I’ve completed this in the bottom flower. (Click the photo to see what I mean.)
Look at that photo again. Can you see how a couple of leaves in the top right flower have taken on a greenish cast? That’s because my blue “washout” pencil didn’t all wash out! Aargh! I considered a variety of corrections, but finally just created new petals right on top of the original ones. One of the great advantages of working in raw edge collage.
Now, readers, I need your help. This quilt needs a name. (I might have called it simply Black-Eyed Susans, except for the color change.) The quilt will be hung in a children’s hospital. I sure would appreciate your suggestions!
Ellen Lindner
Although I was leery of the purple at first, I love the way you have used it here. I keep hearing in my head words from a 60s(?) song “Purple People Eaters.” Is that too scary for a children’s hospital?
I think you could still call these Black Eyed Susans. I’ve just googled some images of Black Eyed Susans, and the centers do look like a purplish or reddish brown. There is a nice close up of one here http://www.bio.brandeis.edu/fieldbio/medicinal_plants/pages/Black_Eyed_Susan.htm.
I’m glad you chose the purple instead of the brown. Even if it hadn’t been an accurate color choice, I think it a much livelier color combo.