Category: Designing and Inspiration

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Learn more about art quilting at Studio Art Quilt Associates’ website, http://www.saqa.com/

Stress Free Curved Line Piecing

I learned stress free piece curved lines from reading a library book. It is that easy to learn. Rarely have I learned any technique from a book. Like many, I prefer to watch someone demonstrate the technique in person. I regularly use this technique to add movement in my abstract art quilts. This technique is not for creating equal curved lines for traditional quilting blocks.

Steps to Practice Curved Line Piecing

Materials needed-100% cotton fabric, rotary cutter, cutting mat, sewing machine, thread, iron and ironing board to press final product

Step 1

Choose 2 pieces of cotton fabrics about 4″ x 4″
(10 x10 cm). Printed fabric makes it easy to tell which side is the right side. Solid color fabric ensures success.

Step 2

Place the 2 pieces, right side up, on top of each other. Using a rotary cutter on a cutting mat, cut a simple curved line starting somewhere in the middle of the two pieces. Don’t stress about the shape of the curve or the exact middle. It doesn’t matter.

Step 3

Separate the pieces. Take the top right piece and place it next to the bottom left piece. Take the top left piece and fit it next to the bottom right piece. They should fit together like a puzzle pieces.

Step 4

To sew, place fabric right sides together. Sew together with a
1/4″( .5)cm seam. The important part-The two pieces need 1/4″ (.5cm)seam when moving through the presser foot. Due to the curve,the length of the fabric pieces won’t line up on all edges. Lift the top piece of fabric to adjust slightly as it moves through the presser foot. Also gently move the bottom piece of fabric if necessary. It sounds more difficult than it is. Press flat. That’s it!!! Repeat with the other 2 pieces of fabric.

Step 5

Step 5. Practice,practice, practice. As your skill develops, vary your cutting line to create different curves. I found this technique amazingly forgiving. Incorporate creatively into your art quilt projects.

Taking Curved Line Piecing to the Next Level

After practicing this technique for a while, I decided that I didn’t always want duplicate pieces for my art quilts. I adjusted the technique to use two pieces of fabric instead of four. I placed the edges of the two pieces face up close together, overlapping the fabric(step 6). The overlapping part is the section where I make the curved cutting line. Place the 2 fabric pieces together like a puzzle piece (step 7).

It is hard to tell but the fabric shown here is about 10″ long.

front of finished curved line piece using two pieces of fabric

back of finished curved line piece using two pieces of fabric

Once you have mastered the basic technique, let the experimenting begin. Lots of room for variation in the shape of the curves. Try different fabrics that are not 100% cotton. It works with them also.

Issues with Curved Line Piecing

Love in the Abstract pink magenta and purple art quilt, 24"x 26" 61 x 66 cm. Curved line piecing adds movement. — Love in the Abstract art quilt, 24″x 26″ 61 x 66 cm. Curved line piecing adds movement. Love in the Abstract added texture with couched threads.

Sometimes quilters can get carried away. If a few curved lines are good then a whole piece of them must be better. At least that is what I thought at one time. This turned out not to be a good idea. The piece would not lie flat. Maybe there were too many small pieces of fabric. The way it looked was also a problem. It was not pleasing to my eye. Lesson learned. Moderation is fine.

Poppin' Back multicolored art quilt, 23" x 22" 58 x 56cm — Poppin’ Back multicolored art quilt, 23″ x 22″ 58 x 56cm

Entering Shows

When one is ready to enter shows, one may find size restrictions. Sometimes it is easy to complete a piece within those limits. Yet,depending on the technique that one uses, it can be difficult.

I use curved line piecing in my abstract art quilts. This technique uses more fabric than just straight line sewing. If I am making a piece for a juried show with a small size restriction,it can be difficult to get the size just right. It is difficult to plan for a particular size especially if the size is on the small side,like 12″ x 12″. One has to take into account the seam allowances at the same time as planning for the fabric of an interesting shape of a curve. Be forewarned!

In spite of the issues that I brought up,I enjoy using this technique to add movement to my art quilts. I hope that you will also add this technique to your toolbox of skills.

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http://www.saqa.com/ Learn more about art quilts at the Studio Art Quilt Associates website.

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How to Break your Own Art Rules

Do you have rules for yourself when making your art? You make the rules. You can break your own art rules. For a long time I had a rule for myself that once a piece of art was finished, I would leave it alone. I chose to not change or update a piece.

When I started exploring art quilts I didn’t really know what I was doing. As I got better and more confident, I decided to leave my previous work as it was. Could it be improved? Yes. But why not just move on. Oddly enough, while I knew I could do better, some of these early pieces sold.

Well, a decade passed. Now, I have a better sense of myself as an artist. I decided to take another look at certain pieces. I gave myself permission to rework a piece. If I make the rules then I can break the rule. I liked this freedom and lack of guilt. Break your own art rules.

A Prolific Artist

My fellow artists have called me prolific. That also means that I have a lot of work on hand. During the pandemic I took a different view, reusing a former piece in response to the George Floyd murder. I reused a beige,cream and black abstract art quilt (12″ x 14″ 30 x 36 cm) as a background. I appliqued a black male figure with a sparkly golden heart on top of the abstract piece. Break your own art rules.

Honoring Black Men, a black figure on an abstract beige background — Honoring Black Men 2020, 12″ x 14″ 30 x 36 cm $125.

Luckily,this piece was successful. I repeated the process with a cream colored abstract with green accents. This time I added a woman dressed in a skirt and serape for a Mexican theme.

Green and beige abstract art quilt form the backgound for a Mexican woman with a rebozo(shawl). — Green and beige abstract art quilt form the background for a Mexican woman with a rebozo(shawl).
10″ x 12″ 25 x 30cm

Pumpkin pie,this abstract quilt began the background for a Day of the Dead skeleton.

Gees Bend inspired abstract,orange deep red — Pumpkin Pie, 7″ x 8″ 18 x 20 cm

Pumpkin Pie, yellow, orange and brown abstract art quilt reimagined with a skeleton,7" x 8" 18 x 20 cm — Pumpkin Pie reimagined with a skeleton,7″ x 8″ 18 x 20 cm

Breaking a Sewing Rule

I recently broke a sewing rule. I have been sewing since high school which is a long time ago. Somewhere along the way I got it into my head that when hemming a seam I should top stitch it. The stitches would supposedly look better that way. Recently I sewed several large fabric gift bags. First, I folded 1/4 ” fabric from the top and then another 1 1/2″ fold over. To sew this seam down easily, I sewed the seam down on the inside of the bag instead of on the front. However,if there was a difference it was slight.

Gridlock I ,black and white abstract art quilt 33″ x 31″ 84 x 79 cm

I cut up Gridlock I, a large black and white abstract piece( 33″ x 31″ 84 x 79 cm)into 4 smaller pieces. They are not all the same size to maintain a detail. However, because it is an abstract the four pieces work well independently. Changing a finished piece is something that I would never have done in the past. I broke my own rule. I come from the traditional bed quilt world. To me, this quilt seemed small compared with a double size bed quilt that I was used to making. However, as wall art it is too big. Many people don’t have a large wall to accommodate such a piece. Changing one’s mind is acceptable. Give yourself permission to do it. Break your own art rules.

What rules do you make for yourself? Maybe you have rules about certain colors or materials you use? Break your own art rules. No one will know or even care. Creativity might even flow!

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https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2023/03/how-to-make-art-in-a-less-than-perfect-situation/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2023/01/why-one-begins-an-art-quilt/

See Unfinished Projects in a New Way

What happens to unfinished quilt projects often called UFOs? See these quilt projects in a new way. Maybe they have mistakes or were not coming together asthe original maker intended. Someone may have passed before being able to finish a piece. Many times they are given away. I find these new opportunities in my quilting guild’s flea market.

Some of my first steps into creating art involved taking someone else’s unfinished projects and rethinking how they could be used. Looking back after a decade, I realise that seeing these quilt projects in a new way helped move my creativity forward. Maybe it can do the same for you.

Traditional tulips in brown, orange, yellow and beige colors — This is a photo of a snapshot I took of this traditional quilt. I found the tulips at a garage sale along with the remaining pieces of fabric. The people were ecstatic that a passionate quilter would finish their mother’s quilt. I used the extra fabric to design and create the sashing and other blocks including the bargello,the stepping stone pieces.

Sorry No Photo

I adopted someone’s squares with colorful 3D stars. I reimagined them as Mexican pinatas. Then I added an iguana to watch the pinata fun.Unfortunately I don’t have any photos of the whimsical piece. Partly because I had no confidence that they were worthwhile. Partly because I completed it before digital cameras made taking photos so easy. However, the quilt did sell at the quilt auction at our annual show.

Unintended Consequences

The adopted blocks were the 4 square blocks and the the two triangle blocks. I added the sashing and the borders. As it is this traditional this baby quilt is on the small size 40″ x 38″ 102 cm x 96 cm. https://www.etsy.com/your/shops/annbmayartquilts/tools/listings/view:table/841741031

Stretch Your Brain

I made this traditional blue and cream baby quilt from discarded half triangle blocks. Before one is aware, your brain stretches to think in a different way.In addition,it frees your mind to consider a new way of looking at the blocks. Train your brain to do things a bit differently. Leave patterns and instructions behind. Seeing quilt projects in a new way exercises the brain.

With some blocks, I discovered that they had been discarded for a reason. Maybe they were not enough of them to do anything with. Sometimes the blocks were not all the same size. Yet I persevered. I continued to use these unfinished quilt projects in a new way to create a new unique quilt. Little did I know that this unknown direction would lead me down a path to see things differently.

Birdhouse Blocks

I found these bird houses many years ago. Someone had put a lot of work into making them. Yet around that time, I moved away from working with traditional blocks. They remained stored away.

Finally, I decided to pair them with an art quilt tree that I had made. The scene seemed a bit empty of birds in spite of being two main habitats for them. Therefore, taking an environmental angle,I named the piece Remember Birds ?

For many years scrub jays and robins made common appearances in my yard. Yet now I am actually overjoyed to see these previously common birds. I am not sure why they are no longer common. We did have a devastating forest fire not too far off. Or was it the many aggressive crows that had moved in?

True Confessions Time

I am not a fan of commercially made patterns. In my sewing days,I had several bad experiences which I blame on the commercial patterns I used. We pay our money and expect them to deliver. I have never used an artist made pattern. Using a pattern is not an option for me. Maybe that makes it is easier for me than for some to take this path towards creativity.

Unknown Paths

Sometimes we start down paths that we don’t even know are taking us somewhere. We are just trying something new. We have no idea of the ultimate affect they will have on our artistic lives. That is what happened to me. I saw beautiful traditional blocks that were put up for adoption at my guild’s flea market. Someone had put a lot of work into these blocks. Saving me time and energy I thought maybe I could use them for one of my quilts.

In Conclusion

Consider seeing unfinished quilt projects in a new way by reusing someone’s blocks . This is something anyone can do where ever they are in their quilting path. You are the boss. You make the choices. Will they all be successful ? Maybe yes, maybe not. But that is how we learn.

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https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/11/following-your-heart/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2023/04/how-to-be-a-brave-artist/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/11/colors-of-the-prism-piece/

New Work in Progress

Sea Grass,a new work in progress,uses green,blue and orange, colors that I use often.Nonetheless, this time I decided to do a variation on a theme. Something different but only slightly. I choose a muted tone for these same colors. Because my work is all about Color!Texture! Movement!, decorative threads came on board too.

Getting Started with the New Work in Progress

Choosing fabrics- I start with more fabric than I expect to use. I chose muted green, orange and blue. — Choosing fabrics- I start with more fabric than I expect to use.

After I decide on the colors, I find decorative threads that compliment the fabrics. That said,decorative threads may match or contrast with the fabrics.

Decorative threads that might work with the chosen shades of color. The threads add texture and movement. — Decorative threads

Fun threads that might work with the chosen shades of color. In addition,the threads add texture and movement.

Interesting threads in shades of cream to peach to brown add contrast and color.

Dark teal fabric with light teal nubby decorative thread. — Dark teal fabric with light teal nubby decorative thread

Next, all of the threads are couched(zig zagged) to the fabric. For example, I choose to couch with a matching sewing thread so that the stitches don’t show.

A long narrow piece of fabric with a feathery piece of decorative thread couched on it. This decorative thread is 3D . It adds contrast and movement and color. — A narrow strip of light green fabric with a 3D dark leafy decorative thread.

This decorative thread is 3D. Above all, it works hard to add contrast, movement and color.

Next I place the fabric with the decorative threads on the design wall.

These next four photos look very similar. However, look closely to the changes. I moved pieces around to balance the colors and details to please the artist’s eye in this new work in progress.

In addition,you may notice that I eliminated the brown stripes on the right in the following photo. Similarly,I also removed the dark teal piece in the middle.Removed pieces will be saved for a different project.

Moving fabrics around slightly to please the artist's eye. Sometimes less is more.I eliminated some fabrics with decorative threads. — photo 2 Sometimes less is more.

In addition,notice the inclusion of the artist’s signature detail. I sew small pieces of extra fabric together. Then I add them to the piece. As little fabric goes to waste as possible. Plus it adds a little je ne sais quoi to the piece.

This photo shows how I sewed together the fabrics in the adjacent area. New Work in Progress — photo 4 This photo shows how I sewed together the fabrics in the adjacent area.

By sewing small groups of fabric together first, it allows me flexibility in case I run into a problem. It offers me more chances to add fabric to solve a problem of balancing colors.

Finishing the New Work in Progress

I sew curved line piecing to finish the art quilt and add movement to the quilt top. The vertical lines reflect the movement of the details of sea grass.

I finish the edges with a facing turned to the back. Then I hand sew the facing in place. The following photos are close up detail shots of the finished work.

The finished quilt top Quilting lines add movement to the quilt top. — The finished art quilt, Sea Grass. Quilting lines add movement to the quilt top.

Detail Photos

The following photos show details of the completed piece.

Learn more about art quilting from SAQA(Studio Art Quilt Associates), an interenational organization that began in Northern California in 1989. http://www.saqa.com/ https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/04/an-abstract-art-quilt-sunset-through-the-forest/

See more of my work at my Etsy shop. https://www.etsy.com/shop/annbmayartquilts

How to Use Small Pieces of Fabric

Quilters create small pieces of fabric or scraps as a normal part of their sewing process. How to effectively use these scraps is a constant issue. I often use fabric 2″-3″ (5-8cm) to create my art. Guild members have gifted me small pieces of fabric, saying “Here, you use small pieces of fabric. Have these.” I didn’t refuse them. I put them to good use.

A little fabric humor- In my fiber group, I was the only art quilter. The other members made different kinds of fiber art. We would meet and share our art and our process. I learned that what seems obvious to quilters is not always so obvious to others. Discussing my process, I asked how do you think I begin? A friend answered,”You start by cutting up a lot of little pieces of fabric.” I had to chuckle. Sewers and quilters know that as we sew and trim, we easily create small pieces that become our scraps. We don’t need to create our own.

Another Use for Small Pieces of Fabric

Above all, quilters will probably always have small pieces left over. Whenever I make a bed quilt or a lap quilt, I like it to be reversible. In that way, I get two quilts for the price of one. Variety and change is good. Use your small pieces as part of the second side. Sew the leftover fabric from the front together and add them to the back fabric. This uses up the fabrics and also adds to the beauty of the quilt.

Many Art Quilt Techniques use Small Pieces.

There is a wide variety of techniques that use small pieces of fabric. Impressionistic art quilts lend themselves easily to the use of small pieces. With a little trimming a small piece of fabric becomes foliage, a rock or a hint of an animal. I have a container to store strips. Another bin is only for small pieces. Several bags are full of pieces larger than 6″. The real trick is to remember to look in those containers when choosing fabrics.

Small Pieces are my Signature Item.

Several years ago I had a commission to make a huge bed quilt 130″x130″ 325cm x 325cm using geometric shapes of solid colors. This is a king size bed with the quilt hanging down the sides to the floor. I was almost finished piecing the top together. But I came up short of a small bit of fabric. I could have bought some more. Yet I really needed only a few very small amount. I had a few small pieces left over so I sewed them together. That was enough fabric to complete the top of the quilt.

Furthermore, I was so pleased with the effect I decided I would repeat the process in the future. I would add them as a feature to my work. Small pieces (about 2” -3″ 5-8cm) sewn together are now a signature part of my abstract art quilts.

Business Cards Use Small Pieces of Fabric

I use small pieces of fabric to create my business cards. My business cards are small handmade art quilts about 3″ x 4″ 8cm x 10cm.Most people would throw out these small fabric and batting scraps. I sew several small pieces of material together. Then I write the basic information on a solid light color piece with a fabric pen. I add batting. I sew the three layers together and zig zag the edges. The extra effort to use materials that normally would be tossed out is important to me. I like that the card is a small art quilt for those who are unfamiliar with the art form. The positive response I receive for such an unique business card also makes it worthwhile. https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/12/artful-fabric-business-cards/ /i

A handmade fabric business card. Each one is unique."Use small pieces of fabric" — One of my handmade fabric business cards. Each one is unique.

The other side of my business card with the important information , location, phone number, website and etsy shop."Use small pieces of fabric" — The other side with the important information

Will these techniques make all of your scraps go away? Probably not. But it might be a step in tbe right direction.

I do realize that some might consider some of these scrap reducing suggestions to be a bit time consuming or even wacky. However, I am serious about reducing waste and reusing materials.Yet I can be a bit over the top at times. But as I say, ” It is not illegal, yet.” In addition, the best part is one can choose to do these ideas to use small pieces of fabric or not. Sometimes I give myself permission to toss a piece of fabric.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2022/08/add-sheer-fabrics-to-create-a-surprise/

Art Quilters-See Fabric in a New Way

Art Quilters, see fabric in a new way. Above all, creating art is about seeing things in a new way. A class or video frees us to learn new techniques. However,the technique one uses is not the only part that makes the quilt an art quilt. Art quilters often use traditional quilting techniques and others to create something new. In this post, I will focus on seeing fabric, our basic material, in a new way.

Our Sight is Unique.

In reality, one’s sight is unique. No one sees things the same way. Moreover, our perception of colors is individual. In addition, hues change depending on what color is next to it. Furthermore,the amount of light available also affects the way we see colors. Nonetheless,knowing these things frees me to not worry so much about having to find the perfect color. Numerous variables affect the hues and values anyway.

Remember, vision actually takes place in the brain. Connect with what your brain is saying. However,make sure your brain is not sending you negative talk. But truly observe the lines,shapes, and images printed on the fabric. Consider how they could be used and perceived in a unique way.

See Fabric in a New Way

While pondering a piece of fabric,a quilter might start with how one would normally use the fabric. Start there. But then quickly leave that thought behind. Imagine a different way to use the fabric. One that you haven’t done before.

Yet, how do we truly see fabric in a new way? Turn the fabric upside down or sideways. Use the back side of the fabric instead of the front. Furthermore,look at parts of the fabric that can be cut and used differently. Large flowers or other large prints may be cut into smaller pieces to become parts of something else. Make your work impressionistic. Let the viewer decide what they think something is.

Limit the Line of Vision

Some people find it helpful to limit their line of vision. Use a small empty photo frame or cutout cardboard frame to focus one’s eye.For example,move the frame around on top of the fabric while blocking out the rest. Some find it easier to focus their attention with this simple tool.Use this to choose a part of the fabric that you want to use in a new way.

A Personal Example

Rebirth of a Forest with a coffee bean fabric used as a trunk,29" x 22" 73cm x 56cm — Rebirth of a Forest 29″ x 22″ 73cm x 56cm

May I share a personal example? I had fabric printed with what looked like whole coffee beans to me. Nonetheless,that is what I was reminded of. I couldn’t get that image out of my brain. I tried to see the fabric in a new way. Then I thought that maybe others wouldn’t see coffee beans. It became the trunk of a tree in Rebirth of a Forest after our devastating forest fire. Similarly, practice looking at the fabric in a new way.

Steamy Rainforest,an art quilt, 15" x 15" 38cm x 38cm gold and green with an iguana and blue dragonflies. — Steamy Rainforest,an art quilt, 15″ x 15″ 38cm x 38cm

Mexican Iguana, an art quilt,23" x 21" 58cm x 53cm golden background with an blue and green iguana. — Mexican Iguana, an art quilt,23″ x 21″ 58cm x 53cm

Other Ideas-Reimagine the Fabrics

Start with a fabric that you normally might not use. Maybe choose a so called ugly fabric. How would you make it appear better? For instance, what can you put next to it so that looks more pleasing? If you usually use one fabric style, attempt to use it in a way that you have never have. For example, I recently used Guatemalan fabrics to create the branches and foliage in landscape quilts, Mexican Iguana and Steamy Rainforest. Previously I had used the Guatemalan fabric only as a strip or a block. Furthermore,imagine a different way to use a fabric from what you usually do. Above all any new skill, practice is important. Moreover,practice takes time.

Skies Over Lake Atitlan, 24" x 29" 61 cm x74 cm blocks of Guatemalan fabrics in blues and greens — Skies Over Lake Atitlan, 24″ x 29″ 61 cm x74 cm,an art quilt. This is how I would normally use Guatemalan fabrics.

New Colors

Try colors that you are not comfortable with. Furthermore, a new color combination is a good way to shake patterns up. If this is difficult for you, just change the hues and tones of fabric as a baby step. Practice with a small piece if necessary.

Let the Fabric Help You

How can the fabric help you with something new? We have all tried to find shapes and figures in clouds. Think of it that way. Multicolored batiks and other fabrics can add colors and shapes. What do you see in their fabric patterns? Then cut them out and use them in this new way.

A New Style of Fabric

Choose a different style of fabric from what you usually use.If you usually use stripes, try a batik. Use the fabric for a totally different way. The result will be surprising. Use large Asian flower fabrics as a rock. When cutting or designing a shape, imagine the fabric as material. Ignore the print that normally grabs your eye. Once I chose a fabric based only on the curved lines. It was only later that I saw that the lines were actually greyhounds dogs.

Tree art quilt with the branches made from black,white and grey fabric with greyhounds on it.25" x 23" 64cm x 58cm — Skyward, 25″ x 23″ 64cm x 58cm art quilt made from greyhound dog fabric

Original grey, black and white fabric with greyhound dogs on it. Embellished with couched threads. — Can you see the dogs underneath the couched threads?

Ways to Focus on the Fabric

Notice the lines and shapes of the objects printed on tbe fabric. What do they remind you of? Practice seeing something unique that the manufacturer didn’t plan.The result may be surprising. Reimagine the fabrics to add a new spark to your art quilts.

Focus on the positive space and negative spaces. Positive space is the object itself. Negative space is the space around it that is not the object. Focus on the angles and lines both horizontal and vertical. How can they be highlighted in a new way? Notice the shapes, contours, shadows, and groups of lines of the object rather than the object. This is not easy at first. Give yourself time to practice seeing things differently.

Don’t be Afraid to cut up Fabric.

So often I hear people say that they love the fabric so much that they don’t want to cut it up. Or that they are afraid that cutting the fabric will ruin it. This thought pattern prevents one from trying new things. One must move past these thoughts to create art. Enjoy the fabric for a while but not forever before using.

Bag of Cultural Gems, Mexican inspired Art quilt 29" x 22" 74 cm x 56cm See Fabric in a New Way — Bag of Cultural Gems with Day of the Dead fabric 29″ x 22″ 74 cm x 56cm

True Confession Time

I confess that I had a piece a fabric for a long time without cutting it. A Day of the Dead Mexican skeleton fabric hung on the back of my studio door a long time. Then I cut it up and used it in several art quilts.

Another confession I have to make is I tried making landscape quilts matching the items printed on the fabric to the scene I wanted to make. I searched for rocks printed on fabric. To be honest this gave me a supreme headache. I am not prone to headaches. It was not fun either. I have since chosen to create my own rocks.I use both solid fabric and printed fabrics. However,the printed fabric is not printed with rocks.

Overlook, 35" x 26" 89 cm x 66cm tree art quilt on a hill showing an example of solid fabric rocks.The tree truck is made from a floral piece of linen, couched with yarn. — Overlook, 35″ x 26″ 89 cm x 66cm Notice the of solid fabric rocks. The tree truck is made from a floral piece of linen, couched with yarn.

In Conclusion

Reimagine the fabric to add a new spark to your art quilts. I offer different ideas to use in a wide ranges of techniques and skill level. Some lend themselves to one technique over another. For example, cutting out fabric and adding to a landscape art quilts may be an easy place to start. However, continue exploring. Small changes can have a big affect.

Take baby steps. It can be scary to try something new. Give yourself time to get used to it. Like any new skill, practice is important. Practice takes time. We all get stuck in a rut. It is easy and comfortable to do things the same way that we have always done.

An artist is curious and open to new things. Being creative starts with asking questions? How can I make this better or different? What if I did this a different way? Experiment. Move away from the conventional. Take what you learned in a class and make it your own.Create a point of view and share it with the world. Begin by seeing fabric differently.

I hope that these ideas inspire you. I would love to see what you come up with.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2023/01/why-one-begins-an-art-quilt/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2022/08/add-sheer-fabrics-to-create-a-surprise/

Everything I Know about Thread for Quilting

Let’s talk about everything I know about thread. Notice I didn’t say everything there is to know about thread.I am not a thread expert. But I have been sewing clothes and quilting for decades.I will be the first to admit that there is a lot that I don’t know about thread. I can not say which type of thread is perfect for which project. Some shiny metallic threads are too fussy to work with for my liking. I might couch them from time to time.A special needle helps if sewing them by machine.

Here is a large a large basket of new and old threads. — a basket of threads

What I Know

Thread colors and fabric colors are like fashion.Styles, shades and hues change often.Greens may always seem available. Yet the shades change. If you want a forest green It may not always be available. This I learned yhe hard way. My preschool daughter wanted a forest green dress when that color was out of style. Currently, tealish or bluish greens are currently popular.

All Brands are Good.

All brands make good quality threads. After 50 years of sewing I have not found thread brands that are not good quality. Individual threads may have different uses. Some may be easier to work with on your particular sewing machine than others.When I bought my Husquarva Lily over 20 years, Guttenberg thread was recommended for use with my machine. I used that thread with mixed success. I kept using Guttenberg because of the recommendation. Yet, while doing donation quilts, I was given some other brands to use. It was amazing to see how much easier this other brand was to use. The stitches looked better also. I learned that some machines work better with some threads. Of course, paying a company for a recommendation is not unheard of. Get to know your machine and what it likes for the type of sewing that you do.

Free Motion Quilting

Aurifil Threads for free motion quilting and other sewing.

For free motion quilting I am very fussy about the thread I use. I find Aurifil brand improves the quality of my work when I am free motion quilting. It can be used for piecing or general sewing. At times it can seem pricey so I try and save it for those particular projects. I will say that there is a lot of thread on the spool because the thread is very thin. So it isn’t as expensive as it seems. Once, I pieced and quilted a king size bed with only one spool of thread.

Old Thread

Don’t be afraid to use old spools of thread. The quality is amazing. The colors unique. If it breaks easily in your machine, save it for hand basting. I acquire old thread whenever possible to maintain a wide range of thread colors. Test the thread to see if it is good. Pull on the thread. Does the thread break easily when you pull on it? Then it is no good. I have bought new spools of thread that failed this test. Build up a resource of thread colors just like a fabric stash.

I avoid polyester threads but sometimes it is not possible. Depending on your project polester may be fine. If you are making an heirloom project, definitely use 100% cotton thread. Yet I have come to the conclusion that most of my projects will last 20-30 years. Polyester thread is fine for those projects. Quilting is supposed to be fun. Not stressing over little details of the quilting police.

Chartreuse Thread?

At a flea market I bought a chartreuse spool of thread. I surprised even my self. Greenish yellow? What was I thinking? It quickly became my favorite thread to quilt with. Chartreuse on black fabric is stunning! Move out of your confort zone.Try unusual or different colors than what you are unaccustomed to using. One never knows how a color will look once sewn or placed on another fabric. It changes. Our eyes also see colors diffferently. Let the fun begin. Try a different and unexpected color of thread for your next quilting project.

All I Know About Thread

As you can see I am not an expert on thread.Yet I do have a few suggestions to make. Don’t be afraid to use old spools of thread. Most of them are perfectly fine. Unless the threads break. Polyester is fine to use for some projects. For family heirlooms I would stick to 100% cotton fabric and thread. Practice helps. Get to know your machine and what works best for the type of sewing that you do. Some unique threads like metallic ones need a special needle. Relax and have fun.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2022/07/art-solutions-came-to-me-in-a-dream/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/11/memory-quilts-i-have-made/

Scale and Size is Important on Fabric.

Who isn’t entralled with the incredible colorful childrens’ prints available? I chose fabric based on the colors or animals I wanted. However, I never paid much attention to scale. As shoppers we buy these fabrics with great plans in mind. Yet when one gets home, it can be difficult to match the fabric with others due to scale issues. The animals on childrens’ prints are often not the right scale or size to go together. Pay attention to scale.

Color or Animal

samples of fabric with prints of varying sizes showing issues of scale. The sea theme and colors are the same but the scale is not. — The sea theme and colors are the same but the scale is not. So much to keep in mind.

Small whales on fabric, the largest is 2" or 5 cm — Small whales, the largest is 2″ or 5 cm

The above piece of fabric with whales never seems to fit with other materials. The “largest” whale is 2 inches long,much too small. It seems strange that a whale would be considered too small.

It bears repeating that we usually we choose fabrics based on the particular animal or color of the fabric. Last on the list or not there at all is the size or scale of the print. The print artist can choose to make a small animal large or a large animal small. To my brain, it is most pleasing if the animals printed on the fabric have a similar size and scale. There are always exceptions of course depending on the quilt style. For example,place a large print in the middle of the quilt to highlight it. Then add smaller prints on the sides.

I Spy Quilts

I Spy Quilts are generally patchwork quilts using many fabrics printed with different everyday objects on them. The game is named for the guessing game, I Spy. One person says I Spy an item. The other person tries to find it quickly. In a variation one person describes an item as a clue to find it. This game is especially fun for a young child developing their language skills and vocabulary. The purpose of an I Spy quilt may be to engage in child’s play. However, paying attention to the scale of the items will make the quilt more attractive between games.

A Recent Donation

Recently someone gave me large donation of children’s fabric. Big hopes and dreams for loved ones that didn’t get made. Maybe the children grew too fast or changed their interests. Maybe life prevented the sewer from completing the project. Seeing so much charming fabric made me realize the importance of scale. It also made me think of the challenges it presents.

samples of fabric with prints of varying sizes showing issues of scale

Quilting with children’s prints is fun. Choosing a color range makes for a more pleasing overall effect. The scale of the animal or object is not the most essential part. However,consider scale for more pleasing artistic endevour. Yet,the affect of scale can not be ignored.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2023/06/stress-free-curved-line-piecing/

https://www.etsy.com/listing/874593003/lap-quiltcontemporary

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2017/07/fabric-layering-technique/

How to Choose the Right Thread

Add Sheer Fabrics to Create a Surprise

I often add sheer fabrics as part of my art quilt process. Sheers add a subtle dimension to landscapes and seascapes art quilts. During one show, a visitor actually squealed in delight. He had viewed a piece straight on. However, when he walked away that he saw the reflection of the shiny sheer fabric. He squealed much to his own surprise. The sheer fabric proved subtle, yet very effective. The shape may not be visible when viewing straight on but sometimes it is. It depends on the available light. Quite by accident I discovered the surprise sheer fabrics can bring.

Cinnamon Tree 15" x 45" has peach colored sheer piece of fabric in the background. — Cinnamon Tree 45″ x 15″ 114cm x 38cm

I use small pieces of sheer when creating with my fabric layering technique. The sheer fabric may be used for almost anything. Cut the sheer fabric into any interesting shape imititating a slope of a mountain range, a branch or a cloud. The sky’s the limit depending on the artist’s plan. Some sheers have shiny pieces imbedded in them. This adds extra fun. Cinnamon Tree has sheer leaves,plants, rocks and a peach colored partial background. Maybe the sun is setting or peaking through the clouds.

Subtle Depth in the Background

The use of these sheer fabrics create a subtle depth in the background. Use small pieces to create shadows or who knows what. I like to leave something up to the viewer to decide what they think it is. Each viewer will probably see something different. In Sea Canyon Depths, there are several sheer pieces that may be difficult to see at first glance.

Sea Canyon Depths 40" x 17" , an underwater fantasy with sheer fabric foliage creating depth however not easily seen. — Sea Canyon Depths 40″ x 17″ 102 cm x 44cm

Beginning steps to creating include adding sheer fabrics early in the process. Sheer fabric on background — Beginning steps to creating include adding sheer fabrics early in the process.This is the beginning of Mexican Iguana, an art quilt that will ultimately show a rain forest landscape.

Mexican Iguana a little farther along with some plants and branches added. — Mexican Iguana a little farther along.

Finding Materials

One has to be imaginitive to access materials. Of course one could buy them. But what fun is that? Finding new uses for what some might call trash is part of my process. In addition, using unlikely materials creates unusual pieces of art. Flea markets and garage sales are good places to search. Preferably I choose to gather materials that speak to me. Then later I decide how I will use them. I try the fabrics out with other materials once I am in my studio.

Desert Trees in the Wash

The fabric for the trees in Desert Trees in the Wash came from FABMO.
I embellished the tree fabric with dark stitches to add texture. https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2017/01/discovering-new-stitches/ Notice the peach colored sheer fabric in the background. I slipped in a small piece of a reflective sheer in the center.

Sheer Fabrics from FABMO

The San Francisco Bay Area has many unique things to offer. FABMO.org is one of them for artists and crafters. Every week this nonprofit’s volunteers pickup discontinued materials from the decorators at the SF Design Center. The materials are then made them available to the public to keep them out of the landfill. The sheer fabrics are often slow to be adopted. When I heard this,I started to gather them.I had no idea how I would use them. Slowly they made their way into my art quilts. Would that everyone had this access to a wide variety of sheer fabrics!

You can read more about the fabric layering technique here.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2022/11/how-to-use-small-pieces-of-fabric/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2022/04/free-motion-quilting-hacks/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2022/10/art-quilters-see-fabric-in-a-new-way/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/11/mexican-inspired-fabric-collages/

An Art Solution Came to Me in a Dream

Has an art solution ever come to you in your dreams? Other artists mention that their ideas or an art solution came to them while asleep. Yet this had never previously happened to me. Until now! I have many small pieces of Mayan woven fabric. In the past I had included these Guatemalan fabrics in my art quilts basically as strips or blocks. Yet,this time I wanted to do something different. The 12″ fabric iguana perched on my design wall ached to be included. I just wasn’t sure what I could do.

Mayan fabrics from Guatemala, bright red and blues — Here are some examples of the Mayan fabrics from Guatemala I have.

An Example

Iguana’s Fiesta is an example of how I would use my Mexican inspired fabrics. Can you see the three pieces of antique huipil dresses in the blocks? One is in the middle of the top row. There are two on each side of the lower blocks. Strips of Mexican inspired fabrics and lace are sewn down the sides. Do you see the iguana watching over the fun? I do have a thing for lizards. They often appear in my art quilts.

Iguana's Fiesta,34" x 30" 86cm x 76cm Brightly colored art quilt in yellow, red and black. — Iguana’s Fiesta,34″ x 30″ 86cm x 76cm

My Semiconscious State

In a dream or at least semiconscious state, it came to me to place the iguana in a tree using the Mayan woven fabrics as branches. I had never used the Mayan fabric as trees or branches before. However, I had used other fabrics in this way many times. So this was an easy transition to make. I liked the effect.

Mexican Iguana,art quilt,23" x21" 58 cm x53cm greens,golds in rainforest scene — Mexican Iguana,art quilt, 23″ x 21″
58 cm x53cm

I like the effect so much I ended up making another one also. Each art quilt figured a colorful iguana in the Mexican rainforest. The medium blue fabric is one of the Mayan fabrics as well. Dragonflies flit through the tree branches in Steamy Rainforest.

Iguana and dragonflies in the Steamy RainForest, 15" x 15" 38cm x 38cm, gold, greense — Steamy RainForest, 15″ x 15″ 38cm x 38cm

My Father’s Advise about Solving a Problem

My father’s advise for solving a problem was to leave it alone. Then come back to it later at a later time. This reduces frustration and anger. Equally it gives a person time to think. I don’t always do this. However, I do like the idea of putting something in the back of your mind for a while. The brain ruminates on issues or topics and comes up with a doable solution over time. That usually works for me. This solution works for which art genre you work in.

What works for you? How do you deal with art issues that come up?

A Word about Names

Mexico is home to a wide range of indigenous people,cultures and languages. These native peoples are my inspiration for many of my art quilts. The Mayan community stretches from southern Mexico to Guatemala. While the fabric was bought in Guatemala. It is difficult to know if the fabric came from Southern Mexico or Guatemala. For better or worse, I tend to use the phrases Mexican inspired and indigenous interchangeably.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2022/09/how-sow-bugs-taught-me-how-to-be-persistent/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2022/10/everything-i-know-about-thread-for-quilting/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2022/03/mexican-dance-fabric-collages/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/02/add-decorative-threads-for-texture/

How I found Unusual Color Combos in Art

As an abstract art quilter, I am always looking for unusual color combos. They show themselves to me in the most random of places. Read to learn how I found unusual color combos in art.

A previous post discussed the steps for creating a light and dark grey piece contrasting with lime green. I discovered this unusual color combo when I noticed scraps I had tossed on the floor. Serendipitious success. How I found unusual color combos in unusual places.

How I found unusual color combos in art.

Recently I found pieces of fabric from different projects that I had thrown together in a bag. I discovered a charming unusual color combo of light purple and a yellow orange.

Meanwhile, I looked up the name for a yellow orange color. It is called amber. What? I thought amber was a darker color. Surprisingly,it turns out that amber is directly between yellow and orange on the color wheel. As a result,I am now convinced that the color is amber.

Lilac

Lilac, a light or medium purple has not always been my favorite color. Growing up it was the springtime purple of choice. Maybe my mother’s dislike for the color influenced me.

However in these times of COVID I find my choice of colors changing. Previously my mantra of Color! Texture! Movement! usually included bold bright colors. These days the colors of choice are lighter and subtle creating calm and peaceful emotions.

In Search of Unusual Color Combos,Goldenrod Blush, art quilt of beige,cream and yellows — Goldenrod Blush,31″ x 32″ 79cm x 81cm 2022

My focus on incorporating texture and movement remain. For some of the fabrics,I sewed a layer of lace on top of a sturdier fabric. Next, I couched (zigzagged)decorative threads on top. Then I cut the lace into smaller pieces.You may be interested in reading other blogs on how to add more texture to your art quilts.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/07/creating-texture-in-art/

A color coordinated fabric storage area looks appealing. However, it reduces the chance for coming across an unusual color combination.

Certainly, finding unusual color combinations begins with open eyes and an open mind. Unfortunately there are no easy pathways forward. Ultimately,each artist must take this road on their own.

Learn more about the international organization for art quilters, Studio Art Quilt Associates. https://www.saqa.com/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/02/the-making-of-an-abstract-quilt/

Ready to toss? Don’t. Rethink How to Use.

Quilters are famous for reusing fabric in their quilts. Yet, for quilters there are several other ways to reuse and not toss materials. Let me share a few of the ways that I have taken this a bit farther. I am very passionate some might say obsessed about not throwing fabric or other materials away.

Desert Trees in the Wash landscape art quilt — DesertTrees in the Wash, 25″ x 24″ 64 cm x 61cm 2021 Just one example of how I use small bits in my art quilts.

Business Cards

I use bits of batting and fabric to make my business cards. They are like mini art quilts. Some people benefit from a visual example of what an art quilt is. The fabric cards are about 4″ x 4″ 10 cm 10cm.

Therefore,it would be a real challenge to use these small materials for anything else. Each fabric business card is unique. People are thrilled to choose a small piece of art to take with them. https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/12/artful-fabric-business-cards/

First, I write out my contact information using a fabric pen on a light colored solid piece of fabric. Next,I sew several small pieces of leftover fabric together. Finally, I make a small quilt sandwich with a small piece of batting inside. Then I stitch the three layers together. Trim and zigzag the edges.

a fabric business card- a work in progress

a fabric business card -a work in progress with batting and backing

Short Pieces of Decorative Threads

Pieces of decorative threads add texture and dimension to my art quilts. They could be birds or twigs in the wind. I prefer to create a more impressionistic view in my landscape art quilts. I leave it up to the viewer to decide whether the small piece is a bird or a leaf blowing in the wind. Reuse, don’t toss.

a bin of decorative threads — A textile friend gave me lots sof small pieces of the decorative threads she had left over from making scarves.

a closer look at some of the decorative threads

a plastic container of yarns and decorative threads I use,reuse don't toss — Here are some other yarns I use.

decorative threads and details I take apart to use their threads — Decorative threads and decor details I take apart to use their threads

Small Pieces of Fabric

Small pieces of fabric become abstract art quilts or fabric landscape collages. I have written several blogs on this topic. Here are links to two.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2017/07/fabric-layering-technique/

Sew Batting Together

Pieces of batting can be sewn together to be used like a larger piece. Make sure the weight of the batting is the same. Cut straight edges. Sew by zigzagging straight edges together. Make sure to create no gaps. Often there is a narrow long piece of batting let over when quilting a large quilt. These are my coveted pieces for this technique. Quilters,Reuse,Don’t Toss

two pieces of equal weighted batting can be sewn together,reuse don't toss — Two pieces of equal weighted batting can be sewn together.

Reusing items in Mixed Media

During the pandemic I turned my attention to mixed media or assemblage. I searched for small yet unusual items. These items would add interest to an art piece. Everything does not need to be a broken piece. Repurposing items also counts. My daughter brought back a small sewing kit from a trip to Europe. She never used it. I found a new use for them.

art in a box with blue tiles and buttons,9" x 6" reuse don't toss — Blue EuropeanThreads, 9″ x 6″ 23 cm x 15 cm

I am not sure if buttons would be considered unusual items. Yet, when I stacked them up with contrasting colors the effect was unusual.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/02/recent-attempts-at-assemblage/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/08/sewing-room-minimalist-assemblage/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/12/artful-fabric-business-cards/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2022/05/five-mistakes-new-quilters-make/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2022/01/frequently-asked-questions/

Reuse, don’t toss. Sometimes I have to give myself permission to throw something away. But with some thought, it is easy to consider another way to use something.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/01/trees-in-art-quilts/

How to Master Free Motion Quilting

Follow these free motion quilting hacks to help you master free motion quilting. I share the techniques and suggestions that have helped me achieve success. What does one need to get started? Can something be saved for a later date?

Nature Art Quilts,Make a Fabric Landscape Collage Quilt, tree on a hill with a fence — Overlook 35″ x 26″ 89 cm x 66cm 2018 Uses the fabric layering technique.

What do you Need to get Started?

a sewing machine that lets you lower or cover the feed dogs

a darning foot

Aurifil brand 100% cotton thread (found in better quilting stores)

What can you Put Off for later?

In my experience, these things that can be left for later. It is a personal choice. I saw quilting gloves mentioned as a necessary item to begin free motion quilting. I personally have never used these.They may be helpful for someone. But they don’t seem esseential to begin.

Many quilters like myself are draw to charming stipple quilting. On the one hand, stipple quilting is lovely and adds a lot to your quilt. On the other hand, it draws attention to the quilting. For this reason, it isn’t the best for a beginner. Leave stipple quilting until later when you are more skilled. I use another technique that works better for quilters new to free motion quilting. See hack 3.

Free Motion Quilting Hack -1

A darning foot is also necessary. If your machine didn’t come with one, they are easy to obtain. Buy one for your brand machine.

Free Motion Quilting Hacks-2

The best thread to use is Aurifil brand thread 50 weight 100% cotton. It comes in a lot of colors. However, it is generally only available in better quilting stores. At first, a spool can seem expensive. However, the thread is very thin. There is a lot of thread on each spool. I once pieced and quilted a complete double size bed using only one spool of this thread. This thread is highly recommended for free motion quilting. It truly will make or break your work. In the beginning, choose a thread color that matches the background. The threads blend in. Irregular lengths of stitches won’t show as much.

Free Motion Quilting Hacks-3

My preferred method of free motion quilting is to use the fabric layering technique. In the beginning,I was able to practice with satisfactory skills. As a result, I continued practicing. Therefore, leading to the mastery of the skill. My machine is a 20 year old Lily Husquarna. It is not a special machine,just a regular sewing machine.

To be honest, before I learned this technique, I was ready to give up on learning free motion quilting. I was not having any success. Therefore,I was very frustrated. In short, it is very forgiving as one develops their skill.

spools of thread for free motion quilting — I only use Aurifil brand thread for free motion quilting.

How to do the Fabric Layering Technique

Basically the fabric layering technique starts on a table. To begin, lay the backing fabric down. Start with a smaller size like 12″-14″ about 30 cm square. Then put the batting on top. Similarly, cover the batting with a background fabric that enhances your scene.Then create a scene with fabric. A landscape is an easy way to start. Cut out pieces of fabric for your scene ie. trees and rocks. Then lay the pieces on the background fabric. Continue until you have made a pleasant scene. Place a tiny dab of glue from a glue stick to keep pieces in place while quilting. Cover with tulle netting. Free motion quilt.

Free motion quilting allows the quilter to control the movement of the quilt. In order to do this, the quilter must lower the feed dogs on their sewing machine. The feed dogs are on the flat part of the machine. They control the movement of the fabric. Most newer machines have this feature. Mine is twenty years old and it does. If you are unable to lower your feed dogs, cover them. However, I am unfamiliar with this.

a basket with many colored spools of thread — Here is my basket of threads. I generally am not fussy about the type of thread I use for most kinds of sewing.

Fast Feet Slow Hands

While free motion quilting you should say to yourself, fast feet slow hands. What does this mean? The throttle makes the machine go fast. Your foot usually controlls the trottle. Push the throttle fast but evenly. At the same time, your hands should be moving slowly. Pull the sides of the quilt taut while quilting. Practice moving them at the same rate at an even pace.

Checking your Stitches

In the beginning, quilt following the outline of the tree or main object in the scene. Check your stitches by looking on the back of the quilt. Loose or lengthy stitches mean the hands are being moved too quickly. Those stitches need to be taken out.As you get better you can create free form grasses or branches or movement with the sewing threads. Read more about this technique. https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2017/07/fabric-layering-technique/

Shows With My Work One Fabric Three Art Quilts — DesertTrees in the Wash, 25″ x 24″ 64 cm x 61 cm 2021
Another example of the fabric layering technique.

In Conclusion

Free motion quilting is another tool to add to your quilting tool box. Yet, there is no easy fix for mastery this technique. Put in the time to practice,you will be rewarded with a higher level of skill. Use the suggestions here to make your path more successful quicker and less frustrating.

View more Art Quilts

View some art quilts I made using the fabric layering technique and free motion quilting.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2017/07/fabric-layering-technique/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/04/birds-in-art-quilts/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/04/marine-life-in-art-quilts/

https://www.saqa.com/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/08/new-york-art-center-in-tribeca/

https://saqanorcalnv.com/

One Fabric -View Three Unique Art Quilts

Little did I know that when I chose a fabric that one fabric would become three unique art quilts. The background fabric spoke to me. I liked the dots of different sizes while the peach color drew me in.

Knots-background fabric

First of all came Knots. It was one of my first pieces incorporating 3D objects with my art quilts. I added tucks and couched(zigzagged)fuzzy decorative threads to the fabric. Quilting black stitches added extra interest.The fiber piece in the middle is a mat like sample from FABMO as well. I folded it in half. Furthermore,I chose native inspired fabrics to roll up inside of the mat. Finally,a piece of favorite decorative thread with indigeous type details was added in several places. In short,Knots remains a favorite of mine. https://www.fabmo.org/

Copper Cliffs-smaller pieces used

SOLD! Copper Cliffs 21″ x 19″ 53cm x 48cm⁸ 2019

Copper Cliffs is an abstract art quilt. Smaller pieces of the original fabric is visible among the other fabrics. One of my go to techniques to create texture is to couch (zigzag) decorative threads on to fabric. Then I cut the fabric into smaller pieces to use. I used several different fabrics to do that in this piece. I also used curved line piecing to sew the pieces together. Scribble quilting adds movement.

Desert Trees in the Wash-Tree fabric stands out

DesertTrees in the Wash, 25″ x 24″
63cm x 61cm 2021

Desert Trees in the Wash is a more recent piece. Oddly enoughafter all of these years, the fabric still called to me. Almost all of these fabrics and details are redirected designer samples that I acquired at FABMO. The fabric layering technique starts with the back fabric being place on a table. Then I lay the batting or center fabric on top. Next, I create the desert scene on top. A thin layer of tulle netting covers the entire piece to hold everything in its place. Free motion quilting makes sure that nothing moves.

One Fabric Three Art Quilts — A piece of fabric that inspired

In Conclusion

These three art quilts use the same fabric in different ways. On the one hand they are each unique. Each one was created without an inkling of the others.Yet, they also represent common aspects of my portfolios. It is only when I look back that I see this. I still like this fabric. I am happy with the outcome of each piece.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/10/seeing-critically/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/

2022/01/to-frame-or-not-to-frame/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2021/02/the-making-of-an-abstract-quilt/

New Step by Step Creation of an Abstract Art Quilt

The Northern California and Southern Nevada Regional SAQA(Studio Art Quilt Associates) group put out a call for entry for a new show, Prism Play. The organizers send the partipants a color card similar to a paint chip card. It had a limited color range on it.The artists must only use the colors on the card. No black or whiteallowed. The size of the finished quilt must be 45″ x 15″ 114 cm x 38cm. Those are the only restrictions. Imagination and creativity released. Follow how the Colors of the Prism Piece developed.

Paint chip cards of orange, pink and magenta color lines I chose from the 6 I was sent. — Paint chip cards of orange, pink and magenta color lines

Colors of the Prism Piece

Participants requested a particular color wave or they could choose to to get a surprise. Three color waves were actually sent so that the artist could make a final choice of colors to use. Artists could make up to three pieces. I choose the purple card on the right for the colors of the prism piece.

Designing Details for Colors of the Prism Piece

I start by designing fabric details that I want to include. Here is a purple piece of fabric with tucks to add movement and texture.

This light purple fabric has three lines of yarn couched(zigzagged) on it.

Colors of the Prism Piece,
I like to create 3D details with the short pieces of redirected yarn. — I like to create 3D details with the short pieces of redirected yarn.

A dark piece of fabric has various lighter colors of yarn couched on it.

Colors of the Prism Piece, The short pieces of redirected yarn came like this. — The short pieces of redirected yarn came like this.

These small pieces for the colors of the prism piece are examples of the redirected yarns and materials I used from Fabmo. https://www.fabmo.org/

two layers of purple fabric — two layers of purple

More examples of fabrics used. I create strips of details then I cut them into smaller pieces.

Creating the Colors of the Prism Piece

Abstract art quilts begin on my flannel design wall. I marked the approximate edges with pins to help me keep track of the 15″ width (38cm) restriction. I always begin with larger fabric pieces than I want the final piece to be. One never knows how much fabric will taken up in the creative process of sewing the pieces together.

Trying out several pieces on my design wall

I place the colors of the prism pieces on the design wall always balancing colors, hues, eye grabbing details and spots for eyes to rest.

Colors of the Prism Piece,
I continue to move pieces around on the design wall. — I continue to move pieces around on the design wall.

In Conclusion

In completing this Colors of the Prism piece, I created texture and movement with the artist made details. This piece includes the use of redirected materials in the style of my abstract art quilts. However, I found the restricted size of the final piece, 45″ x 15″ 114cm x 38cm to be a challenge. It added an extra bit of pressure I had to be constantly aware of.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/02/decorative-threads-add-texture/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2019/07/creating-movement-in-art/

http://saqa.com/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2017/08/memorial-quilts/

Learn Something about Memory Quilts

Yellow and Green Memory Quilt, 56" x 51" lap quilt

Something about Memory Quilts

Black and Red Memory Quilt, 56″ x 51″ 142cm x 129cm

At one time, I mentioned to someone that I had a commission to make a memory quilt. That person asked me,”Wasn’t it weird to make a quilt out of a dead person’s clothing? Didn’t that creep you out? Cutting up a dead person’s clothes?” I had never thought of that. Why would that be creepy? However, I continued to think about the comment. The question focussed on the dead part while I focussed on the fabric part.

back of Black and White Memory Quilt, 51″ x 56″ 129 cm x 142cm

Focussing on the Fabric Part

Sewing involves cutting up fabric and piecing it together to make clothes or other items. Something that I had done since I was a teenager. When learning to sew clothes, mistakes are common. The seam ripper is a sewist’s or quilter’s best friend. Just like stopping is part of driving. Ripping out mistakes is part of sewing.

Repairing Clothes

In addition,sewing often involves repairing clothing. Obviously, repairing clothing means that the item has already been used. It is not such a huge step to cut up worn clothing to create something new. The creation is the important part not the living status of the person. Sewists see things differently. All kinds of divergent views add to the conversation.

Yellow and Green Memory Quilt, 56″ x 51″
142 cm x 129cm lap quilt

Incredible fabric details

Notice details of pockets and inset of blue with seersucker from the inside of the jacket

Often the memory quilts that I have made are from men’s clothing. Don’t even consider the fast clothing market. Some of the men’s jackets are works of art. One jacket(see photo above) made in East Asia came with piping and beautiful sewing details on the inside of the jacket. Monograms are common. The fabric for the shirts is of the highest quality. Think high thread count!! These materials also stand up well to the rigors of washing. They are incredible fabric that one would not find in a regular fabric store. Don’t miss such an opportunity to repurpose such great materials.

Why Memory Quilts?

So why make memory quilts? Repurposing fabric or items is foremost for me. Could the clothing be donated? Yes. Will the donated clothing all be put to good use? I don’t know for sure. Sometimes it isn’t. If the clothing doesn’t sell, it is shredded for insulation or something else.

back of Green and Yellow Memory Quilt,56″ x 51″ 142cm x 129 cm
lap quilt

The Joy of Memories

What could be more special that cuddly up in a quilt that contains small pieces of fond memories that one has for a loved one? “Oh, I remember that shirt. My dad wore that almost everyday!” “Junior loved those shorts! He wouldn’t ever take them off.” What could be better than a useful, memorable yet beautiful piece?

Making a Memory Quilt

The memory quilts highlighted here are from a recent commission. I completed two reversible lap quilts from a man’s clothing that the widow gave me.

This client brought me a large plastic bin filled with shirts and pants along with a few silk ties. She wanted two quilts to be made. She also requested that certain fabrics be included in both quilts. I took notes on that so that I would remember. As a repeat customer she was familiar with my abstract style. The client looked forward to see what I would create.

Step 1 Choosing the Colors that Go together.

A Work in Progress

After making sure that the clothing is clean and smells fresh, the first step is to decide which colors go together. As stunning as red can be, red does not play well with other colors. I chose to pair the red with the black and white. The husband’s taste made choosing the colors of the second quilt fairly easy, yellow, cream and light green. The tropical shirts added just the right flair and action.

Step 2 Interesting Details

Many pieces of clothing have interesting details that I like to incorporate or highlight. Boring buttons pop with the addition of bright threads. Labels and tags add interest too. Pockets are a wonderful surprise as well. Sometimes I use the the labels or tags as is or I may have to cut them and add them to another piece of fabric. It is important to have the 3 D details all on the top of the quilt and not on the backside. When it comes to quilting the three layers together, it will be easier to quilt avoiding hitting buttons.

button details, waistband, and silk ties

Using Fusible Web

Once cut apart, most of the clothing is ready to use. Silk ties and thin fabrics need to have fusible web ironed on to the back of the fabric. This prevents the fabric from stretching and aides in ease of sewing. This step is essential for the beauty of the piece and the ability to easily sew the fabrics together. It is not difficult or expensive except for the time involved.

Step 3 Designing on a Design Wall

These memory quilts are similar to my abstract art quilts.except that I use larger pieces of fabric. I place the details and unique items on the design wall first making sure that they are more or less where I want them. Then I add other fabrics rather randomly. I move the pieces around so that the colors and details are balanced. I sew pieces together and keep checking that the colors and patterns are not all in the same area.

Step 4 Complete the quilt.

When I am happy with the way that the top looks,I sew all of the pieces together. Then the top is finished. I baste the quilt sandwich; top, batting and back together. Then quilt the three layers together. I keep my quilting simple to let the fabrics shine. That is the part that is most important to the client. Similarly,after I spend time designing simple quilting also keeps the price down.

In conclusion

After sewing clothes, quilts and art quilts for decades,I continue to be impressed with the quality and durability of fabric and cloth. The fast clothing market aside, there is no reason to not recycle clothing into some other form. Memory lap quilts are a perfect fit for this redirection. Whether art quilts or memory quilts, redirecting fabrics and materials is my main focus.

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2020/02/memory-quilt-a-work-in-progress/

https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2022/01/frequently-asked-questions/