I got interested in Negative Space when I encountered the artwork of Coles Phillips. He was an early 20th century American artist and illustrator who created many magazine covers using negative space. By using one color for both the background and large parts of the rest of the composition he could keep down the number of ink colors which greatly saved on printing costs (and made him popular with magazine editors). His compositions are intricate and appealing. But what IS negative space?
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This is my latest interweaving quilt design; I call it Just Squares V as it is the fifth in a series. I realized why I like these interweaving designs: they are kind of peaceful to cut all the different fabrics and arranging them weaving over and under. Kind of like doing a crossword puzzle. I have a vast fabric stash and I like to paw through it to find just the perfect print. This one measures 45″ square. It’s off to my long arm quilter for her to do her magic! I do love that gray Quilters Linen fabric by Robert Kaufman.
When I was in England teaching at the Birmingham quilt festival I did a little shopping. I found this print featuring stacks of books and couldn’t resist it. It was a slightly heavier 100% cotton print and I purchased 1.5 yards. I decided to make it into a large wallhanging by adding a pieced border on the top and bottom. Since the books are stacked both horizontally and vertically, it reminded me of a Log Cabin block. My long arm quilter, Linda Bang of Red Wing, MN, cleverly did free motion quilting outlining the books scattered across the print plus she did curlicues in the brown solid borders and rainbow variegated thread in the colored border pieces. I recently had to do several ZOOM meetings and I hung this quilt behind my computer station to give a scholarly backdrop!
I purchased the fabric with the horizontal rows of trees then also purchased the white gravel print and the stripe at the same time. I cut the rows of trees apart and sashed with the gravel print. The three interspersing rows are all 3D folded and sewn. I’m really happy with it but I think my machine quilter is going to be cussing me as she tries to go around the 3D pieces….
I finally created a wreath for my studio door. I used silk from my ties collection and a few pins. I think it needs a big bow, though.
On Sept. 7th and 9th I presented my Fan Hexagon Template Set to the Minnesota Quilters at their September Schoolhouse meeting. At this meeting several tables are set up and a different technique is demonstrated at each table.
I demonstrated the Fan Hexagon construction sequence and the ladies were very interested and complimentary. They were also very interested and complimentary about the necklace I wore. (more…)
I don’t use layer cakes or pre-cuts at all (I buy fabric in quantity!) but a friend of mine uses pre-cuts often. She has been experimenting with the Fan Hexagon Template Set and told me to pass along that the 10″ Layer Cakes work great. You can get one large Hexagon plus the two inner side pieces from one piece of fabric.
Leftover strips of wool?
Use them to make a Tuna Can Pincushion. I teach a class on making pincushions and my favorite stuffing is some form of wool (wool roving, shredded leftover wool batting, snipped wool yarn or strips of wool fabric). Here’s how you can use leftover strips of wool: (more…)
Have you seen the You Tube video on making Fabric Scrap Twine? I always end up with leftover strips of fabric (and you can only tie up so many tomato plants); this is a good way to use them up to create a pretty twine. (more…)
