My Recent Article in Quilting Arts, Oct/Nov 2007

I had the wonderful opportunity to write an article for Quilting Arts for the Oct/Nov 2007 issue (#29). Title: Spontaneous Composition, page 40.

The article describes a method I use that utilizes (wonderful) "bits" that result from trimmed edges of quilts. The example is a 3 sided vessel I made from bits that resulted from a quilt titled: Gathering Leaves; instructions detail how to make the vessel.

Vessel

The length of the article was limited and I could not include the complete story about the vessel, here is the rest of the story....

In September 2006, I made a quilt to enter into a show in Ireland. Title: Gathering Leaves

The theme was autumn and the size requirement was exactly 11.5 x 8". After the quilt was quilted and trimmed exactly I ended up with some wonderful extra pieces, that I NEVER throw away! I refer to these as "bits". This particular design had some interesting shapes that extended and added even more interest to the bits. My work usually does not have straight edges. I prefer to include interesting elements that would otherwise be cut off. I purposely go around them; I like the effect much better than a unnatural straight edge.

The quilt was finished and shipped the quilt to Ireland however; it did not arrive in time for the show; it was lost in the mail. After much anguish I finally did get it back about 2 months later!! When I had it back in my hands, I realized how much I liked it and it inspired me to re-think the extra pieces I had left over. I had a two fairly good sized extra pieces and used these to make two more smaller versions (with straight edges). Afterwards, some very small "bits" were left. These were "wonderful" slivers; they were very unusual and quite intriguing. These are the pieces I used to make the vessel.

After I made the two new quilts, I made a "mat" for each one to mount them on. I used off white linen backed with Timtex and quilted it with a wide spaced pattern of leaves. I thought the presentation was good.

I decided my story might be suitable and interesting enough for others to read. In June 2007, I decided to submit it to Quilting Arts. I was surprised when soon after, Patricia Bolten (Pokey)herself called me. She said she was very interested in my topic and asked if I would be able to write it in the next few weeks; she wanted it for the autumn issue. I agreed and proceeded to write the article. What I didn't realize at the time was that I would now have to recreate the actual process! I had to retrace my steps and thoughts and make another quilt as I did from the beginning. They needed the vessel, the quilts and the infamous "bits" to photograph. Wow! Now that was challenging. I did manage to accomplish this and to my surprise, it was even more joyous the second time around.

When I create, I am not consciously aware of my steps, as most artists tend to function this way; I purely enjoy the process. Recalling this was amazing. I did not realize the multiple stages and decisions I had made. I made a "sheet" of collage. The base of the sheet is raw linen. The pieces are raw linen, tulle, organza most with acrylic paint added. The layers are stitched with clear thread. Batting and backing fabric is layered to make the quilt sandwich and then the sheet is quilted with a variety of threads; some are metallic.

After the quilting was finished, I marked sections to cut and photographed them before and after. I did this because I wanted to be able to recall the positions for future use.

Notice the interesting shapes that fall on the edge. This was not an accident. I like to save these and cut around them to preserve them and have options later. Working this way opens my mind and can offer a lot of options.

In the spring of 2007, my 93 year old friend Mary gave me a selection of daffodils from her garden. They looked great in the vessel. I slipped a plastic medicine bottle inside with water to hold the flowers with water.

The bottom of the vessel is closed with a bean bag made of wool. Bebe's fill the bag and provide weight, and a good spot for my label.

I thoroughly enjoyed this experience and the multitude of benefits that came my way. Now I can proceed and find something to do with the remaining bits!