How did it get the name Quilt Fashions?
My background is in fashion. I went to the Fashion Institute of Technology and designed lingerie in New York City for a Small Company. Years later I found myself transplanted to New Mexico with my husband and two little boys. I started combining fashion with quilting and made several quilted jacket patterns and that’s how Quilt Fashions started. I made five different jacket patterns. Here was the first; the Autumn Sun Jacket. The name stuck, but I moved on to art quilts.
Keeping a File for Each Piece
I start a file when I start each quilt. It usually contains notes on what I may want to contain in each quilt. I also write notes on the feeling I want to convey. It doesn’t mean that every thing makes it in the final piece, but it helps give me a direction to start and keep going. I then begin to collect photos that I may use in the piece. These are all put into a folder/ file that I keep with the piece as I work on it.
I wanted to portray time passing by in this piece and do it in what I’m calling a light cubism sort of way. Its by no means true cubism or even abstract, but it is in the way that the objects are broken up and reassembled.
Some things added to the file.
The finished piece.
The Story Behind the Quilt
We foster for a great organization Lap Dog Rescue. Bentley was one of several dogs given up by a homeless woman who was convinced she couldn’t take care of so many dogs. The pelt sitting next to him was on his back; matted fur. It took me 4 hours to slowly clip it off his back. He also had a cut around his hind leg as if he had gotten tangled in some string or wire. The quilt “I Am the Face of Rescue” was inspired by him.
This was Bentley 5 years ago when he came into our lives.
This is Bentley about 6 months ago 2020.
This was the quilt. It toured with the SAQA Textile Posters exhibit for two years.
A Close Up and Tell All
I thought I would show you a close up of Pelican Rescue and explain how it’s done.
The letters that you see are cut from fabric and fused onto the back. I tried to keep the lettering close in value to the back. It’s supposed to be subtle. A piece of tulle, in this case white, went over the top just before quilting so that I could stitch around the lettering instead of on the edge of each letter. It makes it look like the letters are screen printed. I love the look.
Buying Fabric
Many have asked me about how I buy fabric. What do I look for? How much do I buy?
Have you noticed that most fabric stores carry mostly medium values with a few darks and lights sprinkled in. Those lights and darks are hard to find, so I’m always on the look out for them.
most of the time I buy things that catch my eye, just things I like. I buy 1/2 yard of those.
I’m always looking for good sky fabric, but maybe not what your thinking. I never buy printed sky fabric with clouds. Remember there is a repeat of those clouds on the fabric and how often do you look up in the sky and see the exact same cloud every 12 inches. It doesn’t happen in nature. So I look for sky blues or even other colors that have that moody sky feeling. Batiks and hand dye fabrics work well. Something with movement and almost never a solid. The sky is never one solid color. When I find sky fabric I might buy 1 to 2 yards.
I’m also looking for those very light fabrics the kind that are almost white. These are hard to buy on line because when photographed they appear white. They are so necessary to get the range of value I need in my pieces. I buy 1 to 2 yards of these.
I’m always on the look out for flesh colored fabrics. If you look at the differences in people you know you need lots of different flesh colored fabrics and in at least 4 values, but 6 to 8 is better. These are really hard to find so when I see them I buy 1 yard. I keep the flesh colored fabrics separated from other colors on my shelves so they are easy to find.
I’m always looking at my stash to see if there are holes or certain colors that are lacking. For me it always seems to be red. So occasionally I go to a fabric store intentionally looking to buy reds to replenish my stash. I need to always make sure I have enough to work with. There is nothing more frustrating than to not have what you want to tell the story in your art.
Inktense Pencils
It’s really hard to tell just from the pencil what they are going to look like on fabric. This is my guide.
My guide with numbers so I get the right color.
New On Line Workshops Coming Soon!
I’m revamping my workshops to a live on line platform. It’s about time. I’m looking forward to meeting you. You can see my video/ commercial of sorts on the Global Quilt Connection. February 24, 2021, 4 -5:30 pm eastern. My online workshops will start in March. Visit my class page for more info and registration.
Are you looking for the perfect virtual quilt class or lecture for your guild? The pandemic isn't over yet so let's keep quilters connected until it is truly safe to meet in person.
Did you know that many guilds plan to continue virtual programs even after the pandemic? Don't risk canceling a program because of winter weather and plan now to offer virtual meetings during your worst winter months. It's the perfect opportunity to bring in far-flung teachers that you wouldn't be able to afford because of travel expenses.
Register to attend the Global Quilt Connection's
Live Meet the Teacher Webinar at
www.GlobalQuiltConnection.com
Just What Sewing Machine Should I Buy?
I’ve been asked many times what sewing machine would I recommend. My response is…. one that works for what you want to do. What good is a machine with hundred of stitches if you’re never going to use them? I also don’t like the computerized machines, although I know that one day that might be the only way to go. The reason is I can’t fix a computer, but I’ve been able to fix, oil, clean one that isn’t.
I have an industrial sewing machine I brought with me from New York, my fashion design days. Wow, I’ve had that machine since 1983 and I’ve never had to have it serviced. I’ve done everything myself. That’s my comfort zone.
About 11 years ago I was in the market for a new machine. A friend took me to a local quilt store where her friend sold machines. I must say I was a bit of a snob thinking that the only good machines were the ones with the biggest price tags. Once the friend found out that I was really only interested in free motion quilting, she sat me down in front of a Babylock Quilters Dream, which by the way is now called the “Jane”. What’s up with that? Not a very dreamy name for a sewing machine. No offense to those of you with the name Jane, but come on?! Anyway, I was amazed at how smooth it was at free motion and it wasn’t expensive either. I still use that machine and my Gammill for quilting about equally. Still in love with it. It runs perfectly and I can fix whatever goes wrong.
So what machine would you recommend and why?
Happy quilting and thanks for reading,
Michelle
My Studio, A Typical Day
Reality! This is a typical day in my studio. I’ve got this huge table 98” by 98”; a conference table I bought for $100 when a company was going out of business. You would think that with a table this big I would have plenty of room, but it’s always completely full. I do clean it off in between projects, but it doesn’t take long to fill up again.
My studio is a converted two car garage with heat and air conditioning. It doesn’t have all the storage I need, but it’s a great work space. One day maybe we’ll add a walk-in closet and bathroom to it. That will make it easier to do my fabric dyeing which I do in the laundry room in the house or out side in the warm months.
The wall of fabric is a set of book shelves I bought from a paper back book store going out of business. The shelves are a perfect depth; about 6 1/2 inches. All my cotton fabrics are folded to fit in stacks on the shelves; the larger pieces on the top and half yard pieces on the rest.
Yes, I have a long arm. It’s a Gammill; a little over kill for art quilts, but I love it. Quilts like a dream!
I hope you have a dedicated creative space, just maybe not as messy as mine!
Happy quilting and thanks for reading!
Michelle
Challenge to myself
Okay, I’m a little late. Its almost the middle of January and I’ve decided to make a resolution of sorts or a challenge to myself. I will blog here every day for 31 days. If you see the dates on my last blog posts you realize what a feat this is. Going from two posts a year to blogging every day for 31 days? Wow! how will it happen? Not Sure, except I have some prompts to help me get over the nagging question “What do I write about?”
My ultimate goal is to blog on a regular basis; more than twice a year. Haha! Maybe twice a week!
See you tomorrow! The topic is My studio.
Happy quilting and thanks for reading!
Michelle
Making the perfect binding video
Here is a how to make the perfect binding! Happy quilting! - https://youtu.be/g3pU1E1NM28
Inserting Circles
https://youtu.be/l9VEIWspvKk Here is a link to my first video. This one is on how to inset circles. Hope you enjoy!
Deconstructed Screen Print Demo in my Studio
This is the result of the deconstructed screen printing demo 10/19 in my studio. It was fun sharing the process with friends. Thanks for dropping by.
Which black dye to use?
I have several black dyes and I wasn’t sure what the difference was, so I decided to dye fabrics in gradations using three of them to see If I could see any difference. This was the result. I think it’s important to know, because you may choose one over the other depending upon what fabrics it lays next to. On the left is Jet Black, New Black is in the middle and Better Black is on the right. All are Dharma fiber reactive dyes.
Deconstructed screen print
This was the result from day one of Deconstructed Screen Printing; an old paper doily, two plastic doily pieces, some small rubber bands and craft paper.
My New Studio
I’m finally in my new studio and looking forward to new work. I have air conditioning and, soon a pellet stove to keep it warm in the winter. It’s not quite big enough to store all my things, which is probably a good thing! It’s stored someplace else; a lot less clutter!
