Quilt & Bitch: quilts

Showing posts with label quilts. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Show + Tell :: Peace Out On My Spaceship

March 12 2019,

A happy quilt! Definitely different from the past few ones I've made.

This quilt was inspired from a two things. First and foremost, from the artist Yayoi Kusama. Second, from the book called "East Meets West Quilts: Explore Improv with Japanese-Inspired Designs" by Patricia Belyea.

I used her ""Hachi Quilt Manifesto" but instead of using 8" I used 4" blocks. I wanted this to be an orange and blue quilt. I focused my solids on those two colors. There are two or three shades of orange, one yellow, and two or three shade of blues.

From the beginning, there was no real plan. The main parameter was that it had to be less than 90" (the quilt guild's maximum quilt size for this coming May's show).

I made the blocks, knowing I needed a total of 250 squares everything was send and done. I did not count how many pieces of each color / style I had, I just counted the total. After it was pieced, my first attempt at laying it out was a disaster. I had done it randomly. Hubby said that it did not work, because it was way to random and busy.

I scrapd the beginnings of that I started playing again with the layout. Satisfied with the layout, I pieced it together.

This quilt took 9 days from start to finish. The quilting was very minimal.

A special thanks again to Laura for coming with the name of the quilt.

Title: Peace Out On My Spaceship
Dimension: 70" x 90"
Materials: Kona Solid Cotton, Polka Dot Fabric by Riley Blake Designs, Piecing with Aurifil 50 weight thread, quilted with Mettler 50 weight
Method: Machine Pieced + Machine Quilted
Date completed: 03.2019

Quilt & Bitch

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Show + Tell :: Making a Statement :: FCK FCK

February 26 2019,

* Content Warning - This post may contain language and pictures that maybe offensive to some readers. You have been warned *

So here's a second quilt that I made with the stamping. The second one is called "Making A Statement :: FUCK FUCK", how original. You can see the first "Making A Statement :: FUCK".

This one was created because I had a lot of leftover stamped fabrics. Again, I focused my negative energy into this quilt. The second half of 2018 was trying and exasperating, thus another negative quilt, it's the same story as the "Point of View" quilt.

The quilting lines are tighter than the first quilt, and again I did the quilting the hard way by moving the quilt in the direction I was sewing instead of learning how to ruler quilt. I think I better start learning how to do that. I have everything ready, and I did 15 minutes of practice and gave up. Thus, I didn't get far and my stitches were ugly.

My next quilt, is very different from the last 3 quilts. You'll be surprise that it is even the same person making the quilt.

Title: Making A Statement :: FUCK FUCK
Dimension: Approximately 42" x 42"
Materials: Kona Solid Cotton, Piecing with Aurifil 50 weight thread, quilted with Mettler 50 weight
Method: Machine Pieced + Machine Quilted
Date completed: 02.2019

Quilt & Bitch

Monday, September 24, 2018

Show + Tell :: Dum Dums Wrapper in Action

September 24 2018,

I was finally able to do a little bit of art this weekend. Being horizontal on the couch for most of the hours of the day does not let me be productive nor creative. I finally was able to muster up energy and be motivated.

My niece, Celeste, the one who got the "Zoo Bound" quilt, was collecting the Dum Dums wrapper in to redeem points online. As she was throwing it, I noticed the colorful wax paper in her hand. I asked her what she needed it for, and she said she didn't need it anymore. So I took it from her. It sat and sat for 3 months.

Finally this weekend I decided to make a postcard / mini quilt / art.

I first ironed it with non-stick pressing sheet in between the wrapper. I should have washed the wrappers first - but I got lazy. Shhhhh. With the pressing sheet in between the wrapper, I did not have any issues.

With Pellon 72F Ultra Firm Two Sided Fusible, I ironed on the candy wrapper to the stabilizer.

My first go - I used glue stick to adhere the wrappers onto the stabilizer - it was a no go. I think the wrapper is made out of something similar to that of wax paper - thus glue stick won't work. .

I heat press the wrapper onto the stabilizer, only working with one or two wrappers at a time. I also learned not to press the iron onto the area that did not have the wrapper yet, because the glue will to melt thus, disappear when you are trying to put the wrapper on.

Then I learned that if you overlap too much - there will be no glue, like this red piece below.

Not to worry, zig zag stitch. So I zig zag the places where it overalpped.

Then I remembered I still had a bottle of varnish. Why not. So I put a coat of satin varnish on this. I don't know if it is necessary, but I was experimenting. The end result is that it does give it a slight shine.

My drying "rack".

The final result.I also zig zagged the edges as a finishing touch.

I was left with smaller size stabilizer, and decided to make gift card or money holders.

So there you have it.

Is this a yay or a nay? Love it or skip it?

Quilt & Bitch

Saturday, June 30, 2018

My Summer Vacation 2018 :: Part Uno of Three (Vermont Quilt Festival)

This quilt received a second place red ribbon, and "Best Miniature Quilt". OMG. Yah. The pieces are tiny, tiny, tiny. Another one of those quilts I don't think I'll ever attempt or want to attempt. I'll leave it to Helen. Absolute perfection.

"A Log Cabin Just for Me" Helen Irwin, Essex, VT

In person, the quilt "Sunny Day Evolution" by Sharon Tier was a stunner. This quilt had a lot to it. It had movement, the use of color was beautiful. Unfortunately, my camera could not capture the stunning-ness of this quilt.

"Sunny Day Evolution" Sharon Tier, Dryden, NY

I want this quilt. Another favorite. The quilting so complement the quilt. The circle with the triangles / flying geese used Allison Glass' fabrics. A great choice. Can I take you home with me?

"Circle of Geese" Nancy LaPointe, St. Albans, VT

Even though this quilt uses panels, she integrated it into the quilt well. Yah - I don't like panels that much, but this one is well done.

"Birds of a Feather" Martha Wilson, Dover, NH

Look at the fabulous machine quilting. in between the birds.

This quilt by Diane Beaman, "Walkie Talkies" received "Best Use of Theme 'Circle of Friends' " ribbon.

"Walkie Talkies" Diane Beaman, Laconia, NH

Ready for the next one? Sorry, the index card is out of focus. Here is what it said. "Elephant & Flowers was created with Artisan Fabric collection because it has a vast choice of bright colors and bold patterns. This quilt demonstrates all the skills I have mastered and a few new techniques that I used for the first time; beading and felting. "Elephant & Flowers" by Michelle Bik

From all the pictures I took, this is also one of my favorites. If no one was looking... he he he. This received a red ribbon, second place and a "Judges Choice" award. Love, love, love, love this quilt. It makes me happy. The bells, the charms, the embroidery stitching, the piecing, everything! If it ever needs a home... sorry hubby, but I think I'm in love.

Beautiful quilt. Hope Johnson makes a lot of quilts dedicated to bees. Again, the photo did not capture the beauty of the quilt. You have to see it in person to appreciate the piecing, the colors, and the quilting.

"The Bee's Needs" Hope Johnson, Shelburne, VT

The quilt below was also shown at my quilt guild Quilt Show in 2017. Karen received a red ribbon, second place, and a Special Award for "Best Use of Technology". The picture of her parents is made out of many pictures from her family's collection. This technique is called "Mosaic".

"60 Years of Memories" Karen Swiech, Ashland, MA

Here is the back of the quilt.

"Lake Shore SUnrise" Jeanne Berlin, Oswego, NY, quilted by Donna Turner

A lot of visitors ooo-ed and ahhh-ed over this one. Her use of pastel colors is wonderful. Unfortunately, we cannot see the back of the quilt. Dawn, if you are reading this, please let us know where we can see a picture of the back!

"Thanks, Ralph" Dawn Sullivan, Monson, MA

Dawn Sullivan won "Judges Choice" award, and a red ribbon. What an original design.

This one below was annoying. The quilt was stunning and attracted a lot of visitors. I was trying to take a picture, and I literally stood there for ten minutes before I can take a picture of it without anyone standing in front of it. On top of that, they put a chair to the left of the quilt, so there was always someone in front of the quilt. At one point, someone had moved another chair next to that one chair. The second chair was covering the bottom left side of the quilt. I don't mind you sitting, but please, just let me take a picture! Oh, while I was standing there for ten minutes, there was a group of three or four ladies standing and talking, not about the quilt, but just talking. Umph. I don't tell people to move away while I am trying to take a picture, I wait. I politely wait and wait and wait and wait. You get the picture?

Ok. back to this quilt. you thought I was crazy with all my little pieces? She's crazy-er. What a beautiful quilt.

"Barnum & Bailey" by Daisy Dodge, Carmel, NY, quilted by ANgie Vertucci

"Arthur's Ties" Pat Harrison, Exeter, RI

Another one of my favorite, and one of my favorite quilter, Norma Ippolito. This quilt is different from her normal style. Well... Norma's style of quilt is usually full of ribbons, "Best of Show", "Best of This", "Best of That". This one received a red ribbon, second place. Still a beautiful quilt!

"Doodle Dandy" Norma Ippolito, Chester,VT

Recognize the flower below? It is from a Japanese fabric, cut out with precision.

"Shade Garden" Irene Vazalinskas, Saint-Laurent, Quebec

Remember the elephant quilt up there, "Elephant & Flowers"? The quilt below uses the same fabric in the circle as that of the other quilt.

"Papaver Somniferum (The Opium Flower)" by Carolina Asmussen, Wilton, CT

This quilt received a yellow ribbon, third place, and a Special Award for "Best Friendship Quilt". Two of the members are also part of the guild I'm in.

"Spirit Animal Friends in Totem" The Stitching Sisters of 5 States.

"Goodwill Towards Men Too!" Christine Wrobel, Williston, VT

"Silky Six Collection" Susan Sherman, Westport. NY

"Geese in the Garden" Eileen BUel, Gilboa, NY

I felt like this quilt got lost in the crowd. I only saw this quilt after walking around three times. Love this quilt. So simple and a great use of fabric scrap.

"Dotty" Mary PUckett, Cullowhee, NC

The Modern Quilt Guild was also in tow with the "Best of QuiltCon".

Awesome.

"She Was Warned" Liz Harvatine, Burbank, CA"

"Pivoted Plaid," Cassandra I. Beaver, Urbana, OH

Love this quilt. Love the quilting, love the color (or lack there off).

"MOD Carden" Jack Weise, Longmont, CO

"Aura" Nydia S. Kehnle, Monroe, NY.

This quilt by Rose Orr received the "Exceptional Merit" purple ribbon and the Govenor's Award.

"Circle Doodles" Rose Orr, Colchester, VT

Last but not least, here's mine. I forgot to take a picture of the index card. But here is what it says. "For some kids college is like a zoo. This quilt is for my niece Celeste, who just graduated high school. I made this original design quilt for her as a graduation gift as she embarks on the next chapter of her life." She picked almost all the commercial fabrics of animals, she loves animals.

Those "G's" at the top was not intentional. That is a modified log cabin that happened to look like "G's". I received a blue ribbon, first place and Judge's Choice from Gerald Roy. Oh, how prestigious. Blush. Blush. Must be the "G's" that Gerald saw that swayed him.

Here's the back of the quilt, which was not shown at VQF. Again, most of the animal fabrics were Celeste's choice.

Just in time, I received my Judge's notes yesterday. I'll share some of the comments.
"Binding width should be even + consistent font + back."
"Creative piecing adds interest and makes this quilt unique and fun."
"Grid quilting is appropriate and well done."
"Grid quilting is done extremely well - consistent and even."
"Fun, exciting, unique. great to look at."

Let me address a few things.
The binding - I still can't get it right. ~~Damn~~ Darn it.
Grid quilting - That's all I can do well, is grid quilting. And in some parts it was not even - they are suppose to be half an inch apart, but sometimes they were not half an inch apart.
Luckily the judges only have like 2 minutes to look at the quilt, if they had 15 minutes...

Shhhh, don't tell the judges. That's between you and me and this blog.

Hope you enjoyed the tour.

Here's to more creativity! I will try to figure out the special awards that some of the quilts have (the large red ribbon). I will update the pages again once I figure out who received what award.

Quilt & Bitch

Quilts