My blog updates seem to have joined the ranks of the UFOs lurking in my sewing room so I'll endeavour to get a few updates happening. (I haven't been completely idle.....)
My first challenge piece is finished - and it was a challenge at times but overall I'm pleased with it and have learned along the journey.
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| Eucalyptus #1 - approx 10" by 16", hand-dyed and monoprinted and commercial cottons |
I chose the theme of eucalyptus trees, gum leaves in particular, because to me they signify home. (I know it's nothing new but it is meaningful to me.) I have encountered them all over the world and as soon as I see them and smell them I am immediately transported back 'home' to the Australian bush......
#1 is a small study of eucalyptus leaves which I intend to be the first peice in a series of at least five. Each small quilt will give me an opportunity to explore some new techniques and provide a purpose to further develop techniques I have been dabbling in (and use some of the resources I have been stockpiling for my retirement - which is now, so no more excuses......)
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| One of the original photos |
The photo this one is based on is missing in action in the computer somewhere or was lost during one of the many system installs, however the pic below is a direct tracing from the photo (enlarged on a photocopier to A3 size.
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| Playing with Inktense and Graphitint pencils - testing colours |
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| More colouring in....... |
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| Sampling fabrics |
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| Comparing a monoprinted and a plain background - the monoprinting won...... |
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| Selection of leaf fabrics.... |
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| Monoprinted background - this is a piece of my hand-dyed fabric, monoprinted with black fabric paint. |
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| Quilted background |
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| Initial quilting from the back |
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| Checking values in greyscale... |
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| Close-up with Inktense pencil highlights..... |
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Stitched, faced and clipped ready to hand sew binding......
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| Hanging sleeve and label |
Ta da!!!
So begins Eucalyptus 2# |
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| Sketchbook pages - pastels with a stencil and a leaf mask ... |
This exercise was based on one of my DMTV videos and I loved the result. This led to cutting two stencils (back layer and front layer) to work onto hand-dyed fabric.
First the back layer stencil was ironed onto the fabric. The paintstick was applied to the stencil then brushed onto the fabric using an old toothbrush. The stencil was removed then as carefully as possible the top layer was ironed into position. (There was one small area where I had problems matching up but overall I was thrilled with the result.)
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Eucalyptus #2 -Shiva Paintsticks and stencils on hand-dyed fabric......
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This one has now been sandwiched and pinned ready for quilting once I decide what to do.....
So that brings one project blog post up to date.......more to come soon, I hope.
Sue xxxx
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