Dislocate…..

….is the theme for the Contemporary Quilt Group challenge this year.  I have never entered before, and as I am not doing the journals this year, have decided to have a go at this.  Several notes to self already:

• read the size requirements before cutting out the piece ( 120cm x 50cm)
• read the size requirements again before planning the design
• was all applique fabrics before using, even if you think you have washed them before
• Markal paintsticks get very soggy if you leave them in the sun
• size 60 machine needles are very fragile
• Glue sticks get even more soggy that Markal paintsticks in the sun
• Applique pins are very small, and even if they are embedded in a carpet, can still damage the feet of family
• there will always, eventually be a use for tools that  are bought at quilt shows

Still, getting the size wrong meant that I had a ready-made "handling piece" that needs to accompany the finished quilt.  

I have always fancied making a Baltimore album quilt in a contemporary way, but know I won't have the patience, so this is a take on contemporary Baltimore, in a size I know I will finish.

Glimpses are here:

Paintstick stencil, this is about 8cm long

Hand and machine appliqué ( using a combination of methods from Beth Ferrier and Sew Much like Mom)  Circle is about 2.5cm diameter - this is the best one!

Applique pièces ready to stitch down.

Beware the Ides of March……

…because it is World Quilting Day, although there seems to be some uncertainty about that on the web, as some countries seem to be celebrating tomorrow.  I have some horrendous intestinal lurgy, so am celebrating the day at home, and during the times when I'm feeling OK, I am experimenting with Markal Paintsticks.    This is in preparation for a challenge piece on the theme of "Dislocate" for the Contemporary Quilt Group.

A vague enquiry about how waterproof these are, revealed the multitude of uses of these, what a revelation.  I think they will withstand a wash through with Synthrapol if they can withstand all of that.

The perfect tool makes a difference

I am doing a major piece of appliqué, involving a lot of stretchy edges, therefore needed the perfect pin.  I found these in my supplies, a purchase from the bric a brace stall at a quilters' event.

They are helping me out with all of this lot.

and helping me head towards the design wall with vigour.

The Morley piece has gone in for adjudication, and I will know next week if it has been accepted for display.  The "Made at Morley" exhibition starts next Tuesday at Motley College - well worth a visit.

Trees and feathers

The deadline for the textile piece to be submitted to the Made at Morley exhibition is next Tuesday, therefore yesterday was the last full day in the studio to get the pieces of cloth ready.  I thnk it is there, but the final reveal needs to wait a bit yet.

I am really pleased with the colours, shapes and patterns on these fabrics.

I have also been practising quilted, freehand feathers, using two different methods.  This is the back of the quilt, about 42 x 50 inches I think.

Bump back method - needs more practice

Double-tracking - is that the right term?

and feather of a different kind to be attracted to these new bird houses near Morley.

 

 

Morley - textile printing development

More testing this week of different finishes between sections of the cloth, different colours - not so much red and contemplating the overlaid shapes.

Discharged papers

Detail from papers printed on to cloth

Whole test piece

Now I need to consider the proportions of each shape, the degree of overlay and the different colours to be sued - all before next Tuesday as that is the last whole day in the studio before the deadline.

Wood, straws, glass, pop-art, doilies, stitching

To be able to combine all of these in one day of art was a challenge, but I did it.  First with a visit to the Royal Academy exhibition " Sensing Spaces - Architecture Reimagined".  Well worth a vsit, even at half term with children interacting with several of the exhibits.  Several people have blogged about this exhibition, here and here.

Health and safety was to the fore of course and that first statement could be applied to one or two individuals I know.

Son doing just that,

before inserting his straws

This was real fun and reminded us both of our visit to the Ernesto Neto exhibition at the Hayward Gallery a few years ago.  In the book shop, a book for my wish list, Archidoodle.

Then off to the glorious exhibition of Chihuly glass at the Halcyon Gallery, on until March.  I love this glass and took so many photos that I would bore everyone by including them.  Instead, here are a few and a link to all of them.  The colours are breathtaking and this time, the gallery includes a ceiling installation which is incredible.

A quick whizz to the Redfern Gallery to see an exhibition of Brian Rice' early works - and a free catalogue, thank you very much.  So many of these paintings could be quilts.

A zoom in to the Vigo Gallery to see the paintings by Biggs and Collings, and was struck again by how easily these paintings could transfer to textiles, particularly "Human Use" shown below ( this image doesn't do any justice to the complexity of the paint).

and to finish a wander down Bond Street to get inspiration from Burberry of what to do with the large bag of doilies languishing in a cupboard waiting for an idea to strike.  Not sure i could carry this skirt off though.

And in case this is all too art - dominated, a bit of proper patchwork ( recycled shirt) and practise stitching on the train, trying out this appliqué technique, but hand stitching rather than machine stitching ( 7 inch square) .  I have an idea in my mind for the Contemporary quilt Group challenge this year, based on the word " dislocation'.  If it works, it will need a lot of appliqué.

Roof, rain, spring

A very large ridge tile came crashing off our roof last night.  No-one injured, and no significant damage to property - only a small gap in the roof.  Nothing compared to the situations  other people are dealing with.  At least there were some gaps today, to see that spring is on the way.

That broken rhubarb stem in the far left, got eaten.