Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Fiber art day---or how I spent a drizzly, grey day in a bright studio!

With the pieces from the quilt show in hand, I began working, not sure where anything was going. Sometimes that's how it is with fiber; you need to just work and let the fabrics and embellishments speak as you go. Above is the fused sheet of Angelina---I used some of all the colors from the bag, plus a bit I already had. It is extremely difficult to photograph as it shimmers and changes color is the light from every angle, but in the photo below.......

......you can get an idea of how it has changed again, next to the flambouyant batik. It holds it's own though! At one point I was looking at it thinking, how will I use this monster I have just fused??? Ah well, back to the batik fat quarter.......I was envisioning something long, to set off the leaves in the wax print. I cut two strips 7" wide and seamed them. The pattern did not match but with the riot of color, it really did not show much.
Thus, the long piece in the photo below.

At this point I have backed it with a very contrasting batik I have yards of and put in some new batting that is a bamboo blend. It's quite soft and drapable---I could see it used for clothing easily, though I wonder about the possibilities of dying or painting directly on it. But that's for another day......

I began quilting only the large, detailed leaf motifs and opted for a clear thread, since it had been so long since I had done freemotion and I had little faith in my hands to work. Well, it went *okay*. It certainly was nothing like my quilting of yesteryear. The beauty of the clear thread is it doesn't show the boo-boos but provides texture.

The back shows the stellar quilting........someone really needed to find her reading glasses before embarking on this journey. >:(

When all the large leaf motifs were quilted and the piece was stabilized, I looked for a contrasting batik to tear some strips from. Torn across the grain, they have a certain amount of flexibility; a little coaxing from the steam generator and they curve almost like bias strips, but I can still retain the raw edges I love.

So that's where we are now; torn strips pinned on, more to pin, and did you notice that the Angelina is nowhere in sight? There are still a lot of decisions to be made on this, and I may have to pin and re-pin until I am happy with the dark, vining shape, as visually that will be the make-or-break part of the piece.
This is just the beginning; lots more to come.
Including some of that Angelina.......I just have to find the right spot!
I did learn my leg will hold up to sewing, and also that it needs a LOT of breaks. So when I resume the church banners, that should be interesting. No working straight through all day.
At any rate, I hope you find something today to provide the pleasure this did for me! And yes, I loved the smell of the batik under the iron......what can I say???

15 comments:

Talking Horses Arts said...

Look gorgeous without the Angelina already!
Can only get better...right! reading glasses...yep your ...when you do and ....when you don't..that is of course if one can find them. Mine seem to be hiding all the time and I have like five pair..lol.
Just love these bright colors!!
Have a great and wonderful day!!
Andrea.

Val May said...

Yes it is,--BEAUTIFUL already. Have my own stash of batiks, love them... This is definitely your forte, Anne, fabric artist!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

I have two apir of reading glasses and not a clue where they are! HA!
Anyway, I am anxious to see how this proceeds because I really want the Angelina in there, and Ihave some torn strips that are bright I would like to incorporate, but sometimes things need to SIT a day to get the feel of where you need to go......
I have to get back to your site Andrea---things just get totally crazy every once in a while! (like lately!)
Thanks for the nice words!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Thanks Val.....but it's not DONE either!!!! LOL!!!!
It is still very hard to work the machine with the leg; have a feeling that will be that way for a while. We'll see how it goes....

Leslie said...

It's going to be gorgeous. Wow! Even without the Angelina. Leaves cut from it maybe? As to reading glasses, a pair for everywhere. Hit the Dollar Store, who care what they look like as long as YOU can see... Ask me how I know...

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

My problem with the danged glasses is I need the 1.00 script, and the only place I could find one that low was WalMart and plunked down $20 for them! The low ones must not sell well. I am right in between regular contacts and bifocals (ACK!) and have been this way for several years. Which is GOOD in that my eyes are holding but BAD in that, well, you saw the quilting. I might as well close my eyes an flatten the pedal to the floor........
And yes, I was thinking leaves or something delicate with the Angelina.
Thinking.........

Gayle Pritchard said...

I love the shape of this piece, Anne. It's such a challenge to work in various shapes, but this is one of my favorites, and I can't wait to see it finished.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Me either Gayle.....wanna come finish it??? LOL!!!!
Hey, really enjoyed your blog post about the lectures---can't remember if I posted that or not. Old age.....sigh....

Jan said...

At first I thought you were coloring on aluminum foil again, with the first picture. I recognize the blue batik, you gifted me some way back when. I still have some and you still have some, you must have gotten a good deal on it. Can't wait to see what you do with this gorgeous stuff. I'm so glad to see you having fun for a change.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

I think I bought all of the blue batik they had, which usually relates to $1 a yard! And I still have a bunch---need some? :)
I didn't realize it, but the first photo DOES look like the fluid acrylics on foil.
Good eye Jan!

Tristan Robin said...

*stern voice*

are you actually complaining about that quilting job?

pppfffffffffffffffft

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

"sterner voice"

Yes, damnit, I AM!!!!! LOL!!!!

Linda and Michelle said...

Great colors! That batik is masterful - L love where this piece is going...the vine gives me some ideas - I've never just added on to something like that!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

That's usually how I work....sort of off the cuff, pin it, see what happens. Some pieces are much more thought out and planned, especially if I have to cut patterns, but I prefer NOT doing that if I can get by with it.
This way is much more sponmtaneous and I have almost always been happy with the results. :)

teri said...

you inspire me, girl!!!

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