Thread Painting...I think I'm in love!

Now that I've finished my most recent project and my long term project isn't due until September, I've become enamoured with thread painting. It incorporates all of the things I love about sewing into one beautiful application.

For me, sewing is more than just a means to an end. It's freedom of expression. It's my paint brush. All of the colors, the patterns, the endless possibilities are incorporated into unbelievable texture. Thread painting allows a seamstress and quilter to act as an artist. You get to use free motion embroidery, free motion quilting, darning, stippling and a myriad of thread choices to create a masterpiece.

I've started work on a gift for a girlfriend in Israel. Passover is coming up soon and I've never had the pleasure to make her something truly unique. With my new found inspiration, I've started work on a pomegranate wall hanging that incorporates all of the symbolism that is present at the passover table and in Israeli culture. The colors are extraordinary and vivid and the patterns and textures remind me of Israel and its countryside.

Once I finish the project I'll be sure to post my findings along with some helpful tips. Meanwhile here are a few resources to check out if you're interested in thread painting and the art of incorporating it into your quilting and sewing.

Baby Shower

For the past two weeks I've been working on a quilt for a girlfriend's baby shower. It was a pretty big project because part of the project included appliqued journaling on the quilt back. The quilt top didn't take too long, but the back seemed to take forever and as usual I was constantly second guessing myself about the style and the detail.

I should probably preface this with a short paragraph about my artistic style. I love folk art. I think it's fantastic that anyone can open up the creative floodgates and produce a spectacular piece of original art. Some people love scrapbooking and although I've tried, I've never been able to express myself through scrapbooking. Some people love to paint or take photographs. I've tried painting, I can take mediocre photographs, but neither is my strong suit. But when it comes to artwork, creativity and expressing myself through a medium, sewing is my muse and these days quilting is my passion.

I had developed a unique and professional style when it came to garments and interior projects. I've taught classes to friends and clients alike and have had great success with lesson plans and student retention, but quilting has always been just a little more difficult for me to really grasp.

I think it's partially because quilting is so subjective. Quilting doesn't have to be perfect. It tells a story and paints a picture for people to admire. When I was in Kuwait, I told my best friend that I was interested in crazy quilting and sure enough once I arrived in Israel I started probing a girlfriend and fellow seamstress for information on everything quilting related. I've bought books, I've had books given to me, I've experimented with all sorts of techniques and I'm amazed at the flexibility and freedom one has when quilting.

But among all the different styles and theories, my absolute favorite expression in quilting is free motion quilting and hand embroidered piecing. In my head I have an idea of how this should all work, but the reality is I'm still trying to figure out exactly how to get my ideas onto the fabric as vividly as they are in my mind.

So, this particular quilt was quite a challenge for me. I had decided that I wanted the front to be very traditional, but I wanted the backing to be very abstract and folksy. I quickly completed the quilt top and moved onto the backing. Once I had pieced the back I was ready to gather all of the journalling for the applique. I asked all of the women to write a little note to the mom-to-be or baby on white fabric with permanent fabric pen. Once I had all of the journal entries, I cut them into squares triangles and hearts and I appliqued them to the back with a satin stitch. Then, I framed most of them with hand embroidery to give it that hand made feel.

It was here that I encountered a problem. I guess you could say it was a lesson learned. I hadn't allowed enough overage for the backing, which normally wouldn't have been an issue, but due to the nature of the applique the backing needed to be substantially larger than the quilt top to offset the fact that the backing fabric lost it's give because of the applique. So, I ended up making the binding fold over the quilt's edge and overlap the backing creating a frame. It wasn't exactly what I had in mind, but it worked.

Each time you put so much effort into a project you want it to be just perfect. I'm fairly sure that the recipient loved it and I loved making it.

Table Runner

Now that my its been received, I feel comfortable sharing some pictures of my latest gift. Let me first say that I love making gifts for my friends and family. If you haven't received one yet don't worry you will. My current list is long and very ambitious and it sometimes revolves based on birthdays or holiday celebrations. In addition to those factors, there are some people in my circle of friends that I'm just not exactly sure what they would really cherish. It's often a challenge to come up with the right gift, but when I do I'm fairly successful at conveying my love and appreciation through my handmade gift.

Here is the latest birthday present. It's a table runner, simple and unassuming, but absolutely perfect for her. I had the most fun making it and I loved they way it looked displayed on my coffee table. Here are the final pictures.

Quilt Crazy

As I said in my earlier post, it's been a rough couple months, but as my fears subsided and my anxiety decreased I started to rekindle my LOVE of sewing....It's only appropriate that I write about my passion, my lust, dare I say my escape from the monotony of daily life during February. And let me just say I've never felt so alive. I'm quilting in tandem, making gifts for loved ones--shhhhh, don't tell, and I'm exploring my limits and challenging myself.

Most recently I've started a Cathedral Window quilt. I'm using a method that is both machine quilting and handiwork and I absolutely LOVE it. It's liberating to spend a short time in the sewing room followed by a leisurely affair with my quilt while Chris watches Family Guy. It's a win win situation for everyone.

In addition to this long standing project, I'm working on a baby quilt for a friend (very overdue, I must say) and a wall hanging for a friend. There are other projects in the que. I have two pairs of slacks to make and a blouse to make before spring. I would also like to alter a rain coat I had made in Kuwait and make a tailored blazer for myself. It's fantastic and ambitious, but the reality of my "to do list" is that it might take me a year to complete, but at least I'm thinking about what I'd like to do with my time.

And for all of you who are thinking, " how does she have time for this with three kids, two dogs, three fish and a husband?" I say, time management! Lately I've realized I can barely go to the bathroom during the day, much less quench the desire to quilt or sew. So, I make time in the evening or during naps. I carve out little chunks of time here and there and it's enough to satisfy me until the next time I can retreat to my sewing room. And, as I noted earlier, I feel that I'm gaining experience...That is, I'm learning when to put the computer down to cuddle the boys or when to lock up the sewing room to tend to housework or even how to fit in a run when I've got a quilt calling. One day I'll have it all figured out. For now, I'm on the road to having it all under control.