Paper and Cloth

Going Once, Going Twice, Will it Sell?

Either pumped on life or white tea (white tea is the answer just in case you were in doubt), I seriously wonder what I am doing! I think the scales have tipped and insanity has finally taken hold — I’ve decided to sew up a twin size quilt for the annual school auction. What, I ask! Why? For some reason unbeknownst to me, I really want to make a quilt; I really want to offer something substantial; and, I really want to use up all of my fabric.

With a little spring to my step, I feel motivated, good and productive. I rhythmically and repeatedly snip, rip and iron as I rationalize this little project — I can always bid on the quilt! Yes, this point is what changes my attitude and motivates me to hunker down. We don't even own a twin size bed!

In all seriousness though, what if no one bids?

35 Years Old

Someone close to us celebrated his 35th birthday back in June. The three closest people in his life contributed in making this mini quilt as a present. The kids printed their hands onto muslin using fabric paint and the remainder of the quilt was pieced together with material that each of us have used at some point — pants, pajama bottoms, a button down shirt, a button down onesie and a crib sheet. The little heart in the center represents all the love we felt while making this quilt. Yes, yes, of course we still feel the love ;)

Welcome Back Little Quilt

I’ve been thinking and thinking about this little quilt ever since I first “finished” and posted it all the way back in September. The whole shebang, quilt and post both, kept nagging at me. Something was wrong — really wrong. The appliqué and embroidery were too much. It was too much. But, I still loved this little quilt and needed to figure out how to fix it.

I didn’t give up hope. I thought and thought about what should be done and have since decided that this little piece is a mini quilt. And, a happy mini quilt at that! To boot, I’ve also decided that it’s okay for it to be a small quilt. And, it’s okay for it to be a nonfunctioning quilt. Let me say it again (for my own sake), it’s perfectly okay to make mini quilts that are just enjoyable. It’s okay to make work that is void of meaning and function. Ooooh, sooooooo, so hard to let that go, but… it’s okay!!!!!!

I had fun making this little quilt and am happy to show it again — this time in its original form, without the frivolity. Welcome back little quilt.

Front or Back?

On the left: the front. On the right: the back.

The front: Busy, busy, busy. Improvisational piecing with hand appliqué and embroidery. Does it look too crafty? Does it feel contrived? What is it communicating? Is there a disconnect between the quilt front and the sewn shapes? Is it tacky? All these questions left me considering the back as the possible front.

The back: Less expected. More energy. Less crafty? More emphasis on line. Simple.

I need help!!!

Hinge

For some reason, I inherently create neat and orderly work. I always want to show a freer, less metered side, but it’s a challenge. The process of making this second self-portrait brought these struggles front and center.

As with the first portrait, I translated a detail of my home by quilting with pieces from my old garments. Initially, I was excited about the dialogue between fabrics and the embroidery detail (this was new for me), but soon after I started, the piece began to feel stagnant. I questioned if this project was interesting enough to pursue. I stuck with it and tried to reintroduce energy by reworking the fabric choices and adding dimension. At the same time, I was conscious of staying true to my original goal and also to myself.

Above is Hinge accompanied by two details.

Past Meets Present

Unable to throw out my old clothing, (often pieces I wonder what I was doing wearing in the first place) my studio space has been littered for quite some time. I have been tossing around several ideas as to how to utilize this fabric and have finally begun to settle into a direction that I am comfortable with.

After two false starts, I have a piece that represents my idea of portraiture using these outgrown garments. This mini-quilt, measuring 8” x 7.5”, is my first self-portrait in this series where past meets present. The portrait melds a portion of my previous appearances with segments of my current environment. I approached this task by photographing details of my home and then translating these images by first creating a pattern and then piecing together the dissected fabric.

The juxtaposition of these two worlds, (past clad appearance and present living environment) in their transposed form, creates an interesting and personal relationship for me. Underneath it all, the old garments and my current home are incongruent forces — I no longer relate to the first world, but thrive in the second.

I didn’t anticipate the challenge of process in the making of this little quilt either. I found it difficult to identify with the discarded clothing and bring them into harmony. I’m optimistic that as I create portraits of others this challenge will not be present. Watch out friends… here I come.

Re-

Recycled. Reused. Repurposed. Reclaimed. Finally it’s begun. I’ve repurposed curtains and a ratty, worn in, yet ever-so-soft, knit sheet into a new quilt and two throw pillows. I love the result. It was a liberating process to be guided by the eccentricities of the materials rather than consciously designing a neat and tidy package.

The charm not only comes from the dialogue between the contrasting materials, but also from the inherent details of each — stitching, stretching, stains and all. The sheet had the most personality and the quilt’s size and wonky shape reflect it’s stretched and worn nature. The binding follows that lead, flowing from thick to thin, as does the quilting, which remains uncontrived as lines vary in length and threads remain uncut throughout.