Monday, January 23, 2017

New Ideas for Old Pieces

We recently met at the home of Gen G for our first FJ meeting of the year. Last year, at one of our smaller meetings, Kate, Mary and I did some brainstorming. We brought pieces that were unfinished and needed input. It was such a productive and fun meeting, we decided to repeat it as our first meeting of 2017. What better way to start the new year than with lots of inspiration.
We always have lots to show and share so we did that first. Kate made this lovely piece which included strip piecing and...
circles sewn with a machine buttonhole stitch which is one of my favorite stitches.
Denny made this beautiful pieced quilt using wonderfully vibrant colors. I'm always in awe of good piecing and perfect points.

Gen is a master of technique as well as color.  This beautiful piece utilizes decorator fabric samples.
Now, onto some brainstorming. Mary brought a bunch of woolens and plaids she had been given...this is so up Mary's alley and we're all anxious to see what she does with them.
This is the most luscious piece of fabric ever! Mary dyed this old linen on one of our trips to Folly. She also had another piece dyed in browns which she used a while back; it was a beautiful finished piece so I'm anxious to see what she does with this.
And another piece of fabric from Mary waiting for some input. Mary doesn't remember if this was something she did or bought this way...either way, it will be a fun piece to play with.
Kate brought this wonderful piece...not sure if she felt it was done...but we all agreed it was done!  I remember she made a transparency transfer for the image, to use over the collaged design - really a unique piece.
Gen was finishing up this piece, not knowing where to go with the negative space.
Denny is venturing into creating a large quilt using block of the month. Denny has always worked with her own designs and imagery but sometimes it's just nice to do something that is designed for you. One major change to her quilt is her choice of background fabric. The pattern suggests muslin but Denny decided it would be too flat and this would have more interest...I totally agree with her.
She photocopied the fabric,
then the pattern was printed on top...
and then using markers, she colored in her design. I thought this was such a great tip and really lets you see how the patterned background will work in the finished quilt.

Denny has also been working on many small pieces as a result of Hollis Chatelain's Ten Year Masters Art Series that Denny has been taking...I do believe this is the tenth year.
Some of the exercises include working with various designs interpreted in neutrals
and other colorways.

Denny has been using photos to interpret in fabric...this was a black and white interpretation of the picture above it....so different when you start steering away from color.
This was a piece that was to be remade using another focal point for which Denny chose
and old ferris wheel....to be used as a major part of the background. There was a lot of suggestions, ideas from everyone FOR everyone so I hope I got my facts straight but I will say that this is such a fun meeting...It's not a "critique" meeting which some shy away from...just great input and suggestions from some very creative minds. What a great day.

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