I’ve decided to make up some smaller versions (18x24”) of quilts I have made and loved from past days. My original quilts were made from sketches that I scanned into the computer and then printed out as transparencies, so I could overhead-project them any size I desired. I made them big. Now I am using the same transparencies to make them small.
Why? To make patterns, and to have those good designs become affordable and display-able to my collectors. Plus it gets me back into the rhythm of working. Thirdly, I do a better job, having made the thing once before. No stress quilting.
I like to begin my work week on Saturday. NPR has great programming and I love to listen while I fiddle with teeny bits and scissors. Whenever I make a quilt it occurs to me that I do more cutting than sewing, since I fuse. And, usually the only sewing I do is after all the cutting is done. My machine needs to be dusted off soon or it will get moldy.
I have also been thinking about making more adventurous work, but that will be my dessert. I am talking about the kind of quilts that I love to make but cannot teach. Mostly because I don’t know how I know when they are right, so I can hardly show someone else how to do it. (Although I am considering trying this once later this year, at Art Quilt Tahoe, where I expect there will be some adventurous souls in my class.)
I begin with inspirational (fused) fabric and cut into it and fuse it and then look at it and then add or cut away or whatever it needs and then look at it again. Repeat if necessary. It is all about the fabric and the layout. It is not pictures of something, but in the end may look like something familiar to some. I never know. It is gut wrenching and more fun than anything, and has no guarantees. Some of my worst pieces have been sold and some of my best are still in my possession. Who can explain these things?
* watching Beyond the Sea with Kevin Spacey as Bobby Darin last night, gave me the feeling that time’s a wastin’. I realize that I have been fritterin’ away my summer, just having too much fun.
Small is good. I recently decided small was very good and started making things about 5x7 with the idea that I could have one or two in my cubicle at work. The move interrupted that but hopefully this weekend I won't be shifting any more junk. And hopefully soon I'll have a digital camera which takes GOOD pictures so that the world can see I'm not all words.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of going back to rework the old classics. Are you doing Aquifer? It's my personal favorite. Have a great day with the gals. I don't think there will be yarn for sale at those places, so you should be safe. There will be nice pottery dishes though. Watch out.
ReplyDeleteEnvy...envy...some day I hope to make quilts again. Right now overwhelmed by this market thing...who's big idea was this anyway? Use the projector exactually as you described, small for some design; large for others. Of course, that was when I used to make quilts...aargh!
ReplyDeleteSmall is good...
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm sure you know, but since it's been so long since you used the machine, put a drop of oil along the bobbin race (and anywhere else where your machine wants oiling) before you begin running it.