Fun with Fabric

It has been decades since I have dyed fabric. I remember as a young teen, my parents let me set up a wet studio in the basement. And they let me batik in the basement. I was recently searching through a box and found a large batik I made in 1979. The burn holes from the hot plate made me realize what incredible trust my parents had in me. And how encouraging they were of our pursuits.

A few weeks ago Sharon and I decided to play with discharge dyeing and Setacolors. The Setacolors were a bit disappointing, but it was pretty windy and I think we shall try again on a calmer day. The discharge dyeing was the best. I love it. We're going to do it again in a few weeks in the basement at Fiber on a Whim.




Last weekend, our small but faithful group Star of Heaven Quilters came over to my house for our meeting. I taught the ladies how to make mailable art. They were so excited, and they each completed one to take home. We started by making Spin Art on Fabric using DynaFlo. I misted one piece of fabric and the colors turned muddy. I might have liked a little more thickness to the Dyna Flo. Next time I think I'll add some leftover gel from the discharge dyeing to the Dyna Flo and see what happens. Then I made a few using acrylic paint with fabric medium, and Scribbles dimensional paints.

Lost and Found

Today I presented a quilt I have been working on since the Fall. It is a very personal and cathartic piece about my older brother who lives on the fringe of society with millions of other Americans. And how every person who finds himself (or herself) homeless, starts in this world as a bright new life with potential. In my brother's case, as he grew older he made life choices which resulted in increasing distance from his family and ultimately his current state of homelessness. The figure in the center is my brother, surrounded by pieces of fabric which are held onto the quilt with surface stitching. I quilted the piece with black mettalic thread which reminded me of asphalt. I printed pictures of my brother and family on silk organza and then stitched them to the quilt. The pictures fade as they reach the bottom to show how invisible my brother became in our lives.


Close up pictures of face and hands.




While I waited to present my quilt, I realized the mistake we made in sitting in the back. I ended up being the last presenter after a long line of whimsical, pretty, bright, colorful and clever twists on the theme "Windows. Do You see What I See? Using at least 1 plaid fabric." Then came mine, which as you can see is a bit scary, kind of dark, and sad. I don't know what I expected. Certainly nobody would throw tomatoes would they? Thank goodness my friend Sharon was sitting next to me and my courage was bolstered by her support.


After presentation standing next to my quilt.

The quilt evoked a surprising range of reactions. A few laughed, not understanding that it was not a joke. After my presentation, many members came to me and shared their stories of homeless brothers, sisters, and children. Perhaps in the end, this piece might prove more meaningful to others than I imagined.

For more work on the subject of homelessness, visit this site and see the incredible work of Thelma Smith. http://www.thelmasmith.com//index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1 Her website is being updated, so here is a site that has pictures of her Left Lane Series http://www.thequiltercommunity.com/tqc/articleDetail.do?postId=380

HOT-lanta Shop Hop

Sharon has an incredible spirit for adventure, and a warm and inviting personality. Name it, she's tried it. While at the Sewing Expo in Atlanta she met a woman from North Carolina. They exchanged numbers, and offers to show each other around town. Anastasia came to town this weekend and we toured as many shops as we could.

We started out at Beadazzles which on every other day has an incredible selection. Today we were especially lucky -- they were having a trunk show. Lucky this was our first stop, so our pocketbooks were full.



In the same shopping center, we visited Atlanta Needlepoint, etc. and Nicholas Kniel, which has more than 3500 spools of ribbon. We also found beautiful feathers and amazing ribbon flowers.












Then on to Fiber on a Whim and a visit with Jan Girod (on the left). Jan is awesome and always answers your questions about techniques and how to use the stuff she sells. Stuck on a project? Take it to Jan and watch the ideas fly. Check out the website (fiberonawhim.com) if you are looking for anything cutting edge.




One room at Fiber on a Whim holds exotic fabrics and cool hand dyes. I call it the "hold your breath" room. I take in a big breath of air and only allow myself to stay in as long as I can hold it. That keeps my bank account where it needs to be.












As we waited for Sharon to pony up to Jan (sorry in advance for the pun), Anastasia showed me the mystical horses she has been embroidering on her jeans. She was hoping to find just the right beads to make fringe to sew to the bottom of her jeans, and then this doll fell off the shelf and onto her head. The Doll Gods were talking, so I dragged Sharon and Anastasia to a place they'd never been -- Fabric and Fringe Warehouse in Marietta.

We went to the Fabric and Fringe Warehouse on the South 120 Loop (formerly known as the Marietta Cloth Barn). There is a new location on Canton Road too. Not only did Anastasia find beaded fringe for the bottom of her jeans, she found a selection of beautiful opalescent sheers for a project she is working on.

While Anastasia bought her fabrics, Sharon and I walked around with scissors and a plastic bag -- cutting postcard sized samples. Don't worry, it's allowed, and there are hundreds of rolls of home decorating and upholstery fabric to sample. An art quilters dream.

Time was running out so for our last stop we took Anastasia to Little Quilts in Marietta. Anastasia loves needle punch, and Little Quilts has a nice selection.

Over budget, exhausted and facing Friday afternoon Atlanta traffic, we parted ways and promised to meet again for another shop hop. . . next time we'll be junking it. Anyone want to meet at the Good Will?

Anastasia hope you enjoyed the tour of Atlanta and Marietta today. We'll be watching to see what innovative projects you create from the items you found today!

This is My Brain on Quilts

I have been sewing and quilting for nearly 20 years. This form of creativity was passed to me from my mother, and from my aunt, both who have been incredibly supportive and encouraging. I have lived all over the country, and in each place I've lived I have found a group of supportive artistic friends. Both my aunt and Mom live many states away, and I have searched to find the kind of creative environment I have found elsewhere.

In January I attended a workshop where I struggled for the entire day with the basic technique. My two tablemates, both art quilters, one of whom I knew quite well, watched me struggle without a word of encouragement, or a suggestion on how to succeed at the technique. By lunch, they had both finished the majority of their wall hanging, I had barely finished a square.

I went home that evening, discouraged and certain I should give up sewing and quilting altogether. "Nonsense" my adorable husband told me -- "do what you like to do, and forget what other people like to do." So I did. I made a portrait quilt of the teacher of our workshop, surrounded by the threads she was selling during the workshop. Instead of piecing the blocks, I FUSED my own version of them.


The next day I sat on the opposite side of the room, resolved to learn the next technique being taught. Thankfully a new group of art quilters surrounded me and my spirit was renewed as I overheard the light conversations and helpful tips and words of encouragement, and constructive critique. WOW.

Two months later, with my completed squares, I created a fantastic coat -- which I call "The Leopard Coat."



For a few months, I referred to myself as the "Leopard Coat Lady" when I called my two favorite local quilt shops. The owners laughed, they knew exactly who I was by that description.

At the workshop in January, one woman in particular had the kind of positive spirit that can bring a shy artist out of the closet. I told her I was working on something and I wasn't sure if I should finish it. It was a highly emotional piece and I wasn't sure I could ever show it. She asked me: "Does it make you happy?"

The answer for this piece was "No," it makes me sad and angry, because the subject matter is tough and personal. But in the end, when it is complete, yes it does make me happy.

But I understood what she meant. As I struggled that first day with piecing curves, I took that struggle and turned it into piece that I was happy with. I enjoyed that process. And her encouraging words, and careful response to my question made me realize that it is important to help fellow artists along.

In Atlanta, which has more than 4 million residents, there is not an art quilt, fiber art group which is open and welcoming to new members. I've met a few art quilters by happenstance, all loners looking for the same type of group. A few emails to similar groups around the country, and experienced art quilters has resulted in the newly formed Contemporary Quilt and Fiber Arts Alliance (www.caqa.org -- okay don't laugh at the URL, it's temporary). Our first meeting is May 9th and it will be open to anyone interested in creating art with fabric and fiber. This group will welcome all persons, regardless of experience and skill level. We all start somewhere. We are not all going to be award winning artists, or published, or teachers. But we all might like the process of making art and that common thread will hold us together.