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Coastal Quilters Challenge
Last year, my local quilting group, the Coastal Quilters, did their first ever challenge, inspired by the 5 Artists, 5 Ways project the Frayed Edges did (you can see it here and here). Last year’s challenge, Ropes and Buoys, was so successful, we all decided to do it again. Program chair Barb Melchiskey and co. decided on a Grab Bag challenge.
Here’s a teaser:
The rules:
- Put some stuff into a brown lunch bag.
- Turn in.
- Collect a different bag.
- Make something from it.
- Finished size 10 x 10 inches.
- Must use some of EVERYthing in the bag, with a recognizable bit of the largest item.
Initially, folks were then going to return the finished quilt to the person who donated the bag. So, having done this and realizing that I get possessive, I opted out. Then Leigh Smith (not a relative) asked if I would like to do a swap, as she had not been at the meeting. Then Mathea wanted to join, so we did a 3-way swap.
In her defense, Mathea didn’t know the rules when she filled her clear baggie. When she dropped it off at my house (I was the swapper person for our on-the-side group), I took one look and KNEW I couldn’t do that to Leigh (a beginning quilter). Here is what Mathea put in the bag:
SHRIEK! At best, any 3 fabrics went together. I cried. I swore. I said I wouldn’t do it. Then I really started looking at it. I tried to use the kimono fabric as the focus, but it wasn’t working. So the next dominant piece was the red…. but parts were cut off, so I fussy cut down the long center.
I also happened to be having a rare DVD-fest, watching The Tudors (rented from the local video store…we don’t get Showtime…it’s gonna be a LONG year until it is available on DVD!). Anyway, the influence is clear, especially when you get to the finished piece. Here is fused stage:
Then after the quilting, including lots of sating stitching and blanket stitching:
This is what the back looked like… I painted the embroidery floss black, and pressed it dry using the white cloth. Then used the white INSIDE the piece while I quilted.
After quilting I beaded, then added a false back. The beading makes me think of the costumes in the Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn episodes I was watching, so I named it something like “Quilting with Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.” Nothing like short and pithy. Ahem. Here’s the false back showing the assorted fabrics (and when I get them added, the various embellishing items),
and, drum roll, the front:
Finally, another detail shot of the center, where I “hid” all sorts of little difficult to use bits. Hope you like it… I sure do!:
May 19th, 2009 at 7:56 am
Another great work! How do you avoid the tediousness of doing all that satin stitching? I love fusible applique but the idea of the stitching is daunting! Sally
May 19th, 2009 at 10:09 am
Totally amazing what you did with that fabric selection, I’m impressed and inspired!
May 19th, 2009 at 10:31 am
This is amazing. What a great product from a difficult swap!
May 20th, 2009 at 9:30 am
I don’t remember putting all of those in the bag… I think I may have had a little help from the 4 year old. He was supervising at the time… Anyway, your end result is fabulous and I cannot wait to see it in person. (Actually, everything you do is fabulous, do you ever have a bad day!??)
May 21st, 2009 at 3:16 pm
JUST WONDERFULL EXCITING ART QUILT. makes the challenge I just finish seem like a kindergarder project . our guild brown bag challege just included 2 yards of fabric to make a twin size quilt top BUT LOADS OF FUN
June 15th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
[…] quilts and here for my buoys quiltlet) or use a little bit of EVERYthing in a grab bag (Here and here). This year, we each received a fat quarter of a black and white […]