Mining for Diamonds - Project Quilting 13.4
Challenge 13.4 of Project QUILTING titled “Mining for Diamonds” is off to sooooo slow a start. First, I was completing a new art quilt for a workshop I'm teaching next month. Then a bit of XC skiing on PERFECT snow kept me out of the studio. Below is the project is was working on that combines my love of art quilting with my desire to be out in the woods on skis.
PQ is such an inspiration to try something that's been in the back of my mind forever so I started on Friday with the noon Sunday looming ahead. Diamonds would be PERFECT for this Dresden variation called Russian Sunflower..
A. With no pattern, I started experimenting then decided any form of Dresden was over done as a sunflower. B. Tossing those experimental pieces I moved on to a pattern idea I wanted to try for another art quilt. C. I at last actually figured out how to create this lovely block but that it wasn't right for what I had in mind. With idea one and two off the board…there’s still time before Sunday to try something else.
The third idea is a charm. This inspiration combines two different thoughts that have been rolling around in my head for several years although I never planned of combining them...origami fabric with laundry on the line! A. Several orphan Island Batik ten-inch squares and a paper folded dress pattern. B. Protected wool ironing mat before soaking fabric with starch. C. Trimming starched fabric to size. D. Beginning the origami process. E. Dress auditioning the diamond inset before creating that detail in fabric.
Shout out thank you to Jean Ahnen Perkins who popped a note on my Facebook Business page with a link to how to actually create this origami fabric dress. (I stumbled and bumbled along to create this one but am happy to have the REAL directions should I decide to make another). Bumble Bee Linens Blog posted fabulous directions using a hankie. Be sure to click over an read about it.
With the dress and it’s diamond insert completed, it’s time to select a background for my project. A. Found this QT Fabrics panel in my stash that will make the perfect background of grass and sky. B. Fabric panel loaded on my Handi Quilter Amara with Hobbs Batting and a blue backing fabric. C. Quilting with MicroQuilter by Superior Threads with a gentle rolling pattern to reflect a summer breeze.
The dress with the diamond inset along with the diamond panel apron and a pillowcase are placed on the clothesline which is held up by tilting poles. the empty space in the bottom left position really needs something…a laundry basket. The basket is constructed with bias strips woven together. They are held together with Steam A Seam 2 from the 1/4” roll.
Here are a few detail shots of the finished art quilt. Clothesline poles and laundry basket with a bit of vegetation in top left. Close up of diamond panel apron with ribbon ties in top right. The pillow case and diamond inset in pink dress in the bottom left. Back of art quilt showing hanging sleeve and label in bottom right.
Completed “Wash Day” art quilt is available in my Etsy Shop. It finished at 23” X 20-1/2”.
Published by Sally Manke, Fiber Artist
Sally Manke's mission is to delight others with textile art that exemplifies her passion for joyful, creative expression through color and texture. She is a speaker, teacher, pattern designer, Island Batik Ambassador and fiber artist. Contact her to book a workshop or trunk show at https://www.sallymanke.com/contact