For the first time ever, I decided to work from a photograph. I selected an arty foliage photo my husband had shot and changed it to a black and white image. For the background fabric I selected 20 squares of various dark prints. I made paper patterns for the leaves, fused fabrics, cut out the leaves and ironed them onto the background. As this process was proceeding, I kept having misgivings about it, but hubby assured me it was fine, so I then sewed the leaves on and when finished, I knew it was a no go. Additional photos.
I had been so proud of myself for finishing 2 weeks early, an unheard of event for the chief procrastinator. Now I had to start over. After many hours of searching for ideas on the internet I decided on an asymmetrically balanced design of black and white, more or less.
The design then had to be enlarged to the correct size, paper patterns made and fabric auditioned. This small mock up enabled me to audition fabrics over and over again until I was satisfied.
Finally I was ready to cut and sew. I am not accustomed to working from a such preconceived design. My normal method of working is to design as I go. How to quilt the piece was also a challenge. Instead of quilting an all over design, I quilted each section, which was also a new experience. Plus, I did not use any text and used all commercially printed fabric, so I can do it!
I really like both your quilts Judy! Your final piece is so well balanced and really beautiful, and all with only black and white! From what I can see of your first quilt, it looks great. It appears there is lots to draw us in and explore with all the layers and cross-crossing. I'll bet if you set it aside for awhile, when you go back to it, you'll like it too.
ReplyDeleteJudy, I really like the graphic quality of this one- black and white prints are among my favorites. It sounds like you really stretched yourself with this one.
ReplyDeleteGina is right- leave the first one alone for awhile, and inspiration may hit at some point. I'm still staring at the last challenge I did on my design wall, waiting for that to happen!
How many different balance ideas we all came up with! Although I did think of colour, I didn't think of sinple black and white. I applaud your piecing. I don't think I could have accomplished this sort of piecing and stayed sane. It says balance to me and I love all the different prints. I could look at it for hours.
ReplyDeleteI am a great lover of asymmetry and black and white! This challenge was a challenge for me too!
ReplyDeleteI like the asymetrical feel of this one Judy. Your choice of fabrics and their location in the piece made me gaze at it for quite some time. I like it. I went back and looked at your first picture and I like the quilt you generated there as well. The small pieces in that one give me a sense of a balance; a delicate one.
ReplyDeleteI love this - the simple graphic nature of the black and white prints, so perfectly pieced - it pulls me is for a loser look. Well done!
ReplyDeleteI love your graphic black and white balance quilt. I also love the quilt you made first, with all those small pieces of fabric. It’s harder to get depth in a quilt when using black and white and shades of grey, but you managed to do so!
ReplyDeleteLovely piece mom. Wow. (That was about all she could say.)
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