*Sun-Less Printing*

 

This is a detail of the my latest article *Sun-Less Printing* coming out this Summer in

Simply Moderne Magazine # 13. It is an easy and very gratifying painting technique, stay tune for more details.

Simply Moderne Magazine # 13

*BLOOM* - The story behind it

*BLOOM* 37 inches by 37 1/2 inches... a whole cloth quilt

It all began when I read the news about a group of teachers getting together to help spark a labor movement leading for an increase in salary. With a background in teaching and early childhood education, I can’t help but sympathize with them since this is a problem that exists globally.

I started by cutting out newspaper articles about this topic. Then the newspaper pieces were infused into the cloth using my -INC- method. 

Allow me to explain the steps involved:

Fig.1: I started by mixing the paint to match Aurifil LANA thread

Fig.2: For my color palette, I decided to eliminate the yellow-ochre and replace it by a lighter shade of gray

The color palette was chosen based on the thread I wanted to use and mixed the paint to match!

Fig.3: Next, seamlessly infused newsprint cloth -INC- was combined with painted areas to complete the flower designs

Figs.4 + 5: Then I applied the HUG stitch around the ovals and simple running stitches around the petals.

Fig. 6: Lastly, the three layers were sewn together by machine. Free motion quilting with the HandiQuilter Sweet Sixteen and the Glide Foot

  

 The letters   were  printed from a computer program and cut around to form a template. Then an erasable marker was used to draw the letters on the cloth before the machine stitching. 

Word BLOOM at the very bottom of the quilt, looks like trapunto but it is not.

STATEMENT:The upper small flowers represent the students. The ovals are the influences, guidance, and support we receive from the teachers who impact us in our early years. The big flowers represent the students who grow and begin to establish themselves as they prepare to take the next step in life. They bloom. (The word “bloom” is included towards the bottom of the quilt but only noticeable when the light hits or when you approach to have a closer look).



*Paper and Fabric* Quilt in progress...

*Embrace who you are* Part Two ..the finished quilt

 

If you have been reading my blog you must have noticed when I was working with the theme quilt shown below for a very special person. If not you can read more about it HERE.

This was a very emotional project for me. Although I finished it a few months back I couldn't write about it until now.

While I was working on the quilt top, she reminded me that *pink* was not her favorite color anymore. And since I wanted her to use the quilt and not keep it in a closet I had to start all over again with a different color palette. Time was an issue, so I decided to choose from the fabrics I had at hand.

Every time I finish a project, I cut the leftover pieces into 4 and 5 inch squares and put them in a box. It is from there that I chose the fabric I knew she would like.

Pieces were cut, then mixed and matched and sewn together. Keep in mind that  *I am not a piecer*...so this was a personal challenge for me.

Meanwhile, I dyed and silkscreened the main fabric for the message and the background. I used the book Quilt Talk" by Sam Hunter for the lettering. It was my first experience doing paper piecing and liked it.

 

I played around with the colors and shapes

 

Finally I decided on the arrangement and finished the top.

Last, I gave it to her. She has sent me a picture of the quilt over her bed.



I am pleased that she is using the quilt I made with all my heart. Every time she lays down to rest "on" the message *embrace who you are*, I wish I could tell her the same while holding her in my arms.

Thank you for stopping by!

*My Painted Garden*- My latest article in Simply Moderne Magazine

My latest article is out in the summer issue 2016 of Simply Moderne magazine#5. In it, I show how to work with transparent and opaque paints on fabric.

                                                   My article is published on page 66.
The fabric paints are from Prochemical and Dye I used their PROfab paints.

Once I finished painting, I used Aurifil 50w cotton threads to sew the inside details.

I used 28w cotton thread to sew around the border. Using this thread with a close zig zag stitch creates a  pronounced border while adding stability and also covering the loose threads from the raw edge.

I hope you will do this project and set a festive table to celebrate a nice meal surrounded with friends and family.