Coal Seam was started in a class with Luke Hanes last year during QuiltCon 2015 and was included in Gwen Marton's book, Free Range Triangle Quilts. When I shipped it to the publisher for photography I had only quilted the black lines.
As the QuiltCon 2016 submission deadline came up, I pulled this out to enter in the show but after looking at it again, thought it needed a bit more quilting in the background. So, I started adding some seed stitch quilting to the white.
When I started the stitching, I didn't carefully calculate how long the stitching would actually take.
Six weeks of steady stitching later, I finished the quilting on New Year's eve. Needless to say, it wasn't finished in time for QuiltCon submission. There's always next year, right?
I used Glide thread and am thrilled with the way the stitches shine, an effect that is very difficult to capture with the camera.
I enjoyed the process immensely and plan to add more hand stitching to future projects.
Minimal Quiltmaking
Look, last week my copy of Gwen Marston's new book, Minimal Quiltmaking
It's a good one - and I'm not saying that just because two of my quilts are in here.
The book is written in the style of Gwen's classes, workshops, and retreats. She talks about her design process and gives techniques but there are no patterns or specific directions for any of the quilts in the book.She writes:"In this book you will notice that instead of patterns, I offer a process. I will tell you how I constructed the various parts of my quilts so you can make your own parts, and because you are using a process instead of a pattern, your quilt will be your own original design. There is power in that. It's rewarding and affirming. My roots are very much from the tradition of quiltmaking and a time when many quilters were working in this same process-focused way."The book is broken down into sections of different aspects of the idea of minimal design. In addition to the other design aspects, Gwen discusses the importance of the actual quilting stitches as part of the overall design of a minimal quilt. The photos are excellent and show the quilting stitches well.She shares her inspiration and thoughts during the design and construction of her quilts. A number of contributors also share their views on minimal quilting as applied to their own quilts that are included in the book.If you have never had the opportunity to attend one of Gwen's retreats or take a class or workshop from her, this book will give you a taste of what that is like. If you have been to one of her retreats or taken a class from her then you already KNOW you want this book. Yeah, you probably already have it!If you don't have it yet, order your own copy of Minimal Quiltmaking
Medallion!
Last week I attended Gwen Marston's 2012 quilt retreat. The theme this year was medallion quilts. I love the look of medallion quilts but I was a bit intimidated by making my own. It is not a style that I'm very comfortable working in.I was floored by the number of medallion quilts that Gwen had to show in her presentation, given that the quilts in her book, Liberated Medallion Quilts
When packing, I went through my pile of unfinished projects looking for something that I could use for the center of the quilt. I found several applique pieces that I had done about 10-15 years ago. Not knowing really what I was going to do or what might inspire me when I saw Gwen's presentation, I chose three applique pieces and fabrics to go with each of them.In the end, this purple batik block was the one I worked with while at the retreat. The center applique design was from Elly Sienkiewicz's Baltimore Beauties and Beyond: Studies in Classic Album Quilt Applique, Vol. 1.
I started with the applique and thinking that sawteeth look good on pretty much anything, I added those first. Then I made the star blocks. The size of the finished star blocks dictated the size of the greenish border that came between the sawteeth and the stars. A narrow purple border with green corner stones came next.
At this stage, I decided to set it on point - which doubled the area of the quilt. I added strips of half square triangles and then let the large scale of the the fabric do the work in the rest of the corner. The last round in the medallion is border of the same purple fabric used earlier. I love the way it made the little green corner squares appear to float.
I am thrilled with the results of the medallion building workshop. Maybe some day I'll make medallion quilts from those other long forgotten applique pieces. I am inspired to try different techniques and border styles. As always after retreat, my head is spinning with ideas.It was lovely to spend a few days relaxing and sewing at the retreat.
White Birch Lodge, Elk Rapids, MI.
37 Sketches
I'm back from my retreat up north with Gwen Marston. This year we used Gwen's 37 Sketches as inspiration for our liberated projects.Gwen's self published book, 37 Sketches is beautiful and inspirational. Each quilt has a full page photo and a short description of the inspiration or idea for it. The text is like poetry. There are no how to's in this book just the 37 sketches. It is an elegant little book that is great for studying liberated piecing and inspiring you to try your own small sketches. Working on a small scale is a great way to try new techniques and work with different colors or fabrics. Since the book is self published there are a limited number and are only available directly from Gwen.Back to the retreat recap...Gwen had her little works of art displayed so that we could study them up close.
I made these at the retreat:Sketch 1:10 x 13 inches
Sketch 2:8 x 10 inches
These little quilts were fun to do and they are even finished!!I then got side tracked by another project inspired by a quilt someone brought for show and tell.
I have a weakness for little stars.
These stars will finish at two inches. They are smaller and not liberated like the ones I did last year.I have no idea how I will set these. They may be a quilt of their own in a nine patch setting or maybe a border for a medallion style quilt. Right now I'm just having fun making them.Quilt retreat is very "grounding" for me. All of the ladies who come every year really make it special and help me put things in perspective. I love coming home and feeling like I have a focus and direction. Thanks ladies, it was a great week.
Seeing Stars
This is what I did while at my quilt retreat last week. I made tiny stars.Three inch stars.Seventy five three inch stars.I was inspired by this fabulous quilt by Gwen Marston.
It is simply stunning. The stars just sparkle in a sea of beautiful hand quilting.
I wanted to try a few other things while I was there but I just couldn't get away from the stars.
I took two suitcases of fabric because I never know what I will want to do until I am there. I didn't use much of what I took just lots of tiny pieces.My stars have print centers and solid points.I decided to use a different setting than Gwen used and calculated that I need 153 of the little stars. I am half way there!
I am having a lot of fun making them.
