Trying New Things

Do you like to try new things?  I do.  Especially as they relate to art and quilting.  Whether it’s a tool, a technique, or a color palette, I consider experimenting with such things to be adventures.  (As a matter of fact, that’s why I call my website Adventure Quilter.)

I recently discovered a new white pen.  It’s permanent and it works pretty well on fabric.  One coat is sort of faded looking, but two passes make a nearly opaque mark.

Trying New Things. Ellen Lindner, AdventurQuilter.com/blog

The pen is called Uniball Signo broad tip.  (The last is a misnomer, since the tip is about like that of an ordinary ink pen.)  Note:  The pen doesn’t cover quite as well as in this photo.

Do you have one of those favorite t-shirts or sweaters that’s so comfortable you want to wear it no matter how ratty it gets?  I have a t-shirt like that, which has been developing holes.  They finally got bad enough that I decided to do something about them.  Namely, mend them in a rather exaggerated way.

Trying New Things. Ellen Lindner, AdventurQuilter.com/blog

I enlarged the holes, patched them with contrasting fabric scraps and embroidered around them.  Now, I sorta feel like I’m wearing an odd work of art.  And I like it.

Have you done any creative mending?

Ellen Lindner

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4 Responses to Trying New Things

  1. Suzanne Sanger May 25, 2016 at 9:17 am #

    Have you seen the clothing of Alabama Chanin? Search her name in Pinterest. Your creative patching is reminiscent of her methods. Very fun!

    • Ellen Lindner May 26, 2016 at 12:44 pm #

      Hi Suzanne. I’m not familiar with her work, although I do remember seeing someone else do embroidered patches. I’ll check it out. Thanks.

  2. cindy michaud May 25, 2016 at 6:15 pm #

    Beautiful! And I also love new things altho they take me far afield and off the beaten track. This is adorable mending! I have a cool patched sweatshirt and was convinced I could make one. Several trips to the thrift store and Joann’s and I realized I had more invested in an unmade experiment than the cute jacket had cost new! Such is the dilemma of a creative.

    • Ellen Lindner May 30, 2016 at 8:26 pm #

      You’re right Cindy. When you experiment you have to accept a certain quantity of “rough drafts.” 🙂 But, it’s certainly worth it!

      I always say that if everything turns out well, with no challenges, I’m just not experimenting enough.

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