Monday, November 17, 2008

A new addition...

I have been taking a class at The Country Quilter this month, based on the fabric weaving technique of Anna Faustino. We have had two classes. The first taught us how to weave the fabric and the second talked about quilting techniques, including the use of toule over the weaved fabric to simplify the required quilting. I liked this idea, so I used red toule... it really enhanced my bright colored background. This allowed me to use a straight stitch to quilt the piece with the back on, all in one step. We were free to applique whatever we wanted on our piece, so I decided to add silhouettes of dancers. I took the general shapes from a piece of African fabric that I had by Jordan Morris, for Michael Miller Fabrics. I modified the shapes for my purposes and then did some thread painting on the black silhouette to add the clothes, bangles and shakers. I really enjoyed the thread painting. I didn't want to do it as part of the quilting, so I outlined the shapes on the black fabric, then did the painting using different thread on each shape. I then fused them onto Wonder Under, cut them out and fused on to the already quilted background. Then I used free-motion quilting to outline quilt the shapes on the piece.




This is a really simple technique. I will definitely use weaved backgrounds again. The only thing I will do differently next time is to use the pillow-case technique, as the binding isn't as bold as the rest of the background fabric becuase it doesn't have the red toule over it.

Actually, I just had a thought... maybe I will fold the binding over onto the back, making a facing finish vs the binding, so the binding fabric doesn't show.

Oh well... it is an idea. Hope you like the piece.

Cheers!

3 comments:

Mary Anne said...

I love this piece. I really like the dancers. Is giving me a few ideas of how I might do my project differently when I take the workshop next month.

Renee said...

Mary Anne... Nancy @ Country Quilter is going to do an Open Studio session on 1/10 & 17, using Anna's book as a guide. The idea being that you come with ideas of what you want to accomplish (a sketch, photo, etc...) and together over the course of the two Saturday afternoons, she provides guidance on how to turn your idea into reality. I am going to take it...

Susan Schrott, Artist said...

Renee
this is just wonderful! I love your colors and the fabulous dancing women!