Friendship Quilt block continued - Post 4

Here is my Friendship Quilt block - all finished. This is a miniature BAQ block, the design area is 7" x 7". The original version of this block would have been at least double the size. For this block I have used some dimensional flowers, including two made out of silk wired ribbon (the yellowy-pink ones) and two layer ruched flowers (the russet ones). The bow in the middle is made of China silk and the buds are silk ribbon embroidery. I have used embroidery and beads to embellish the block.




In addition to this block, I also made a setting triangle:





Both of the blocks were quite fun to sew, but I have to say, I think there is limited mass market appeal for the wreath block as a miniature. It is really fiddly at that scale.

Friendship Quilt block continued - Post 3

I just finished the many many SMALL leaves on the Heart Wreath of Flowers so I thought I would post a photo of my progress (which has been slow) before I move on to the next stage which is the bud calyxes. The leaves are a mixture of applique in the various cotton fabrics supplied, and embroidery using fly stitch in Silk 'n Colors stranded silk. I think this provides a good (neutral, but not boring) basis for the colorful flowers. What do you think?

Friendship Quilt block continued - Post 2

I thought that I might use this opportunity to blog in more detail about how I go about my BAQ applique.....using the Heart Wreath of Flowers block I am making for the Friendship Quilt as an example. I posted a little background about it the other day, so I'll jump right into the making of it.

Because I am making this block for a group quilt, I received a packet from the organizer with a set of fabrics to use (additional fabric can be added by the stitchers) and the pattern. The pattern I received was from Elly's first book (Spoken Without a Word) and is not a plain line drawing, so for this reason, the first thing I did was to trace the pattern onto tracing paper, including just the basic shapes - stem, leaves, buds and ribbon. I left out (for now) all the upper layer items such as flowers. I then scanned this into the computer and jiggered it around a bit to make sure that it was straight, that the center line was really in the center, etc. Often when I am doing this for myself, I have to change the size of the pattern as well, but in this case, I am replicating exactly the size sent to me, which is 6:3/4" x 7" design area. (By the way, after doing all the tracing, scanning and jiggering I found the pattern reprinted in one of Elly's later books as a line drawing! well, #%@&^#@^%!!)

Anyway, after the computer jiggering I then printed 3 versions - one on paper as a pattern to trace for the stem, one on overhead projector plastic as an overlay and one on a sticky label sheet to cut up for patterns.

I then started on the stitching, with an awfully skinny bias strip stem for the 2 sides of the wreath. I decided in this case to make the stem continuous on each side even though much of it will be covered up with flowers. The reason was to ensure a good curve. Also, I plan to use dimensional flowers and often they do show some of the stem underneath. The stem was about the skinniest stem I have ever done (finished size was 2mm wide), made from a bias strip less than 3/8" wide. I considered embroidering the stem and then decided that in the spirit of miniature applique, it should be appliqued.....so I persevered with it and in the end it wasn't that hard to keep it even (enough).

After the stem I started on the leaves, using 3 green fabrics provided by the organizer and one extra of Elly's previous Kaufman fabrics - a darker green. The leaves are all pretty miniscule - smaller than my little finger nail. I had some difficulty with the fabrics sent to my by the organizer because frankly, I don't think Elly designed them for miniature work - the patterns are the wrong scale - very difficult to get a "sensible" bit of the pattern onto any particular leaf to give a sense of shape and dimension. Anyway, I managed it as best I could. As you can see from the picture on the left, the leaves look almost black on the scan, but really they are not (neither is the stem), they are all very dark green and when you see the block in real life, they are obviously green not black.

By the time I had done most of the appliqued leaves on the left hand side I sat back to admire the handiwork and thought......well......hmm.......

I was not terribly impressed, actually. It seemed awfully flat and uninspiring. Obviously, there is still a long way to go, but stillllllllllllllllllllllllll...................

So then I decided on doing some of the leaves in embroidery, using fly stitch and Silk 'n Colors hand dyed silk thread. As you can see from the photo, I have done 4 so far and (in real life), what a difference they make! Suddenly the block is already starting to sing! The silk shines, the color variation of the hand dyed thread gives it more interest and perspective.....yes, it was a good decision, I think.

Anyway, that is where I am up to. I'm going now to finish the left hand side applique and embroidered leaves, and then during the May Day long weekend, I will try to do the other side and get a start on the buds and flowers. I am still tossing up how to personalize this block - I wonder whether to do the bow in China silk? (Would the organizers mind a bit of silk on it, I wonder? Maybe I should check.). Or maybe I will do the buds in silk ribbon....or......

Starting my first Friendship Quilt block and other things

I've been terribly busy the last few weeks (what's new) so I haven't done much stitching. I have made some more progress on my blue urn applique block, but it is tough going because of its miniature size and the silk fabric, so I have found I need something "in between" that doesn't require so much precision.

So, last weekend, I thought I would start on a fabric journal of my favorite quotes, one per page. I am inspired by the CQ postcards made by Cat. I started 3 journal pages using crazy quilt techniques. The quotes I am using for these pages are:

If not us, who? If not now, when?

(Robert Kennedy)

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I

I took the one less traveled by

And that has made all the diference.
(Robert Frost)

The quality of mercy is not strain'd,

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven

upon the place beneath.

It is twice blest,

It blesseth him that gives,

and him that takes . .

(William Shakespeare)

I've chosen several other quotes, and I intend to use 12 altogether. Let's see how I get on. I'll post a photo of the first finished page once it is done!

In other sewing, I am starting today my first block for one of the BAQ Friendship Quilts organized by Elly Sienkiewicz. Seven quilts are being made - as true album quilts, i.e., with blocks contributed by many, many women from around the world. The quilts are all being done in miniature, which is challenging, and may not be everyone's cup of tea, but they should be spectacular when done. We just heard that they will be shown in the Houston International Quilt Festival in 2010. Cool! Anyway, my first block is the heart wreath block from the long out of print book by Elly, called Spoken Without a Word. Here's the block pattern, which I am doing at 7" x 7" design area. that means the 46 leaves are all smaller than my little fingernail! eek!

Haven't worked out how I will do the flowers yet, but I do intend to add some dimensionality, so let's see. I'll post progress as I go along.....

Applique - silk BAQ block work in progress

I thought I would also show the applique block I am working on - a silk miniature of the Blue Urn block taught by Nancy Kerns at Applique Academy this year.

Here is the original antique version (p97 Baltimore Album Quilts by Dena Katzenberg):

And here is Nancy Kerns' version (at full size about 14" design area) from Applique Academy 2008:

And here is my silk version in progress:

Because my version is much smaller than the original or Nancy's (not that you can tell from these photos because they are all the same size!), I replaced the green doodads below the urn with embroidery (split stitch in fine wool/silk). I reduced the number of them somewhat to space them further apart so that the definition of the embroidery would show. I used Jan Vaine's embroidery method for the berries in stranded silk (lovely sheen!). The urn is silk brocade (difficult to applique at this scale!) and dupioni silk (the dark one). The brown dividing lines between the colors of silk are a braid from Oliver Twists.

I am pleased with the way this block is shaping up and I have some ideas for the floral wreath at the top. I am also planning to do the birds in ribbon applique, using the techniques Wendy Grande showed at Academy this year.

Stay tuned for more on this block!

Just a Perfect Day - finished!

"Just a Perfect Day"
Design by Shirley Bloomfield, stitched by Mara Warwick
Taught by Shirley at the Elly Sienkiewicz Applique Academy 2008

*******

I'm so pleased to have finished this block today and even though it is now late on Sunday night, I am so keen to send a picture to everyone immediately that I have taken a not-so-fantastic one under lights at home. Anyway, even though the colors are not completely true, I guess you can get the idea. Maybe I can take a better photo during the week if I am home early enough in the light.

This is a marvelous block - so many different techniques, including dimensional flowers which I have really been inspired by. The majority of the block is stitched in batiks and commercial hand dyes. The peony bud and flower are stitched in hand dyed silk from Jenifer Buechel and the butterfly is broderie perse.

I will post another photo later when the block is framed and sent to its new home. Now, just to convince the Chinese framing shop to frame it with a silk mount......

Academy ends (sniff!) and a year's worth of inspiration begins...

Hmmm, blogging about applique in an airport lounge at IAD, how about that? The fabulous airline (who shall remain nameless but which has its major hub in ORD - wonder who that could be?) with whom I am flying back to Beijing today cancelled my flight from Richmond to Chicago last night without notifying me and rerouted me through IAD. Luckily I happened to look on the web before going to bed because the new flight left an hour earlier than the previous connection (that could have ended badly), which resulted in a very very short sleep for me last night. So here I am in IAD not ORD and as it turns out, the outgoing plane to Beijing from here is also several hours late.....so I have to wait for a sum total of about 9 hours in IAD. Oh fabulous......

Anyway, I have been spending some time researching a new applique idea inspired by the class I took with Shirley Bloomfield this week. In her class we stitched a wonderful dimensional applique block of English cottage garden flowers. I haven't finished it yet but there is not too much more to go. Coupled with the block I stitched in Nancy Kerns' one day class yesterday, which taught us color shading on realistic flowers, I am wondering if I could actually design my own dimensional flower block? Seems a long shot, but I think I may give it a whirl. My initial idea is to stitch a vase containing flowers from the countries of the four continents where I have lived (so far!), including Australia, Europe (Scandinavia), Asia and America. I've been doing some web research (Google Images is my friend) so let's see where this takes me.

Anyway, to recap, Academy finished with the usual "show and tell" of all the work done in the Academy classes. Here is a small smattering of all the unbelievably fabulous work......

Nancy Kerns' main conference class - the William Tell Block, which is a replica block from an antique quilt owned by one of the Academy attendees.

Judy Severson's broderie perse class always does magnificent designs (but don't be fooled, most of it is still pinned!!)

Here's Elly's main conference class where they stitched (at full size) the same pattern I did a few weeks ago in miniature size.

And here is Jane Townswick's main conference class wreaths.

Of course I don't have photos of my own classes (because I was on stage!) but maybe one of the other Academy attendees might have some to send me?

So to prove that I actually did accomplish something this week (!), I've snapped a photo of my blocks in progress right here in the airport lounge, which I am putting up with the teacher's original so you see what the blocks are going to look like when they are finished .....

Main conference class - "Just a Perfect Day" with Shirley Bloomfield

Here's Shirley's sample block:

And here is mine in progress (I have done the center peony as well but it is in my check in baggage, wrapped carefully so it doesn't get crushed!)

Two day add-a-day - "Embroidered Lovebirds Wreath" with Jan Vaine

Here's Jan's sample block:

Here's mine (and before you say: "is this ALL she managed to get done in 2 days? good grief!", while we didn't make too much progress on our blocks, we did also stitch a whole sampler book with demos of all the stitches on the block! I don't have a picture of that, though.):

One day add-a-day - "Glorious Morning Glories" with Nancy Kerns, pattern by Nancy Kerns and Ellen Heck.

Here's Nancy's sample block:

And here is mine (now, THIS one is not bad for only 1 day of stitching!):

Well, that's it folks for the Academy this year. I have had a lovely time meeting old and new friends and I have been SO inspired by my three wonderful teachers and the amazing feedback I have received on my work. I've also learnt some new techniques and improved others, so all in all, a successful week!

More Academy!

Academy has been continuing the last few days but like all good things, it does draw to a close! Today (Sunday) is the last day of the main conference and most of the participants will go home this afternoon. A few will stay for tomorrow's one day "add-a-day" classes (including me!), so for some of us, there are still 1.5 days to go. We've had a wonderful time in our classes, and at the "socials". One of the great thrills of the Academy is to see the amazing array of work that others have done. Here are a few photos from the last few days to give you a taste for this. Unfortunately I don't have any photo software (I am on a shared computer), so I can't crop the photos nicely, but you get the idea....

Here is Nancy Kerns, one of the amazing teachers at the Academy) with her completed "Mary Simon Quilt" top. The original of this quilt, which is in the DAR Museum, was not completed and did not have borders, so after Nancy replicated the blocks exactly, she designed the border herself!

Here is Kathy Dunigan with her "on the way" Baltimore Elegance quilt, made at full size.

Emily Martin, one of the guest artists this year, has made a stunning Baltimore Elegance quilt as a tribute to Anne Connery and Nancy Pearson, both long-time teachers at the Academy. I think the set of this quilt is particularly stunning.

Kathy Tennyson's amazing "large block" quilt (18" blocks, which is the original size). Kathy is such an inspiration - apart from the beauty of the work, she is very prolific (this is her 6th full BAQ and has all been completed this year!), and she is an amazingly gracious lady who always attends Academy with her daughter Kaye.

And finally, here is me presenting my little Baltimore Elagance quilt (top) - no mean feat to pluck up the courage to show it in such esteemed company!

Academy continues....

Well, the week is going quickly, as usually happens at Academy! For the last 2 days we have been working hard on our 2-day add-a-day class. I took Jan Vaine's embroidered BAQ class, which was a really wonderful class. Click here to see the class description (see class 210) and here to see the photo of the block we worked on.

Jan created a sampler book which included instructions of all sorts of useful embroidery stitches. We stitched samples with various embroidery threads to see how the various stitches would work. Then we started our blocks. I really learnt a lot in this class, in addition to getting a whole lot more inspiration for my own applique. The difference between Jan's approach the the work I have been doing recently (see here) is that Jan is working the whole block in embroidery (including all the leaves) whereas I have only used embroidery for embellishment. My new plan, based on the inspiration that I received during this class, is to work somewhere between these 2 styles - I will probably not go to full embroidery, but I can certainly substitute some more of the applique for embroidery. Let's see where this takes me!

Today (Thursday) we start the main classes. I'll be taking Shirley Bloomfield's class. I'm really looking forward to that!

Academy starts!

After an uneventful trip across the Pacific (just the way I like them!) and a good connection in Chicago (miracle!), I arrived late last night in Williamsburg for the Applique Academy. Today was primarily a rest day during which I tried to get as much fresh air as possible (antidote for jetlag) and in the afternoon I participated in the visit to the Abby Aldrich Rockerfeller Folk Art Museum at Colonial Williamsburg led by Elly Sienkiewicz. We had a lovely time viewing and discussing the baltimore album quilt hanging in the museum's current display. We also spent some time looking at other exhibitions, including a new (and wonderful!) display of embroidery samplers. The museum was only opened about 1 year ago and is beautifully designed and packed full of wonderful folk art displays. It is definitely worth a visit, not just for the BAQ!

Here's a few pictures of the sampler exhibition too:

I was really impressed with the samplers because most of them were done by very young children between 8 and 12 years old! Also, while most of the samplers were from the 1840 period or so, many of the techniques were remarkably similar to techniques used today by contemporary embroiderers, e.g., painting of background fabric and details, couching of interesting fibers, the use of heavily textured areas, even silk ribbon embroidery!

Painted background and amazing texture created by thousands of french knots done in what seems to be really fine single strand thread.

Painted background, textured embroidery on the trees and dress etc, and amazing silk ribbon embroidery around the top and bottom! This was done by a 12 year old in 1840 - incredible!

More applique....

In my previous post the other day I mentioned that I have been working on two miniature BAQ blocks in Chinese silks.....well, here is the second one, just finished. Unfortunately, I can't seem to get a good true-to-color scan of this one. The colors in real life are much nicer! The ribbon flowers are gold with a kind of antiqued gold (almost green) center. I put the ruler on this scan so you can see how big the block actually is. The design area is 7.5" x 7.5". This block contains some of my original variations, including the use of 4 larger flowers rather than the 5 smaller ones in the original pattern. I have also used more embellishment, including the french knot and bead "gysophela" (sp?). The two buds on this block are embroidered, not appliqued. I also embroidered the pussy willow at the top, using a 3D technique Sharon taught in PLOS. I feel that I have made some progress on this block in terms of my goal of bringing together embroidery and applique - still a long way to go but I have definitely used some of the PLOS techniques and also my new knowledge of threads and texture to better effect in this block I think. This is the last block I wanted to finish before the Academy, so now I need to get my supplies ready for the Academy classes and get my bags packed!

Thanks for all the lovely comments on my previous embroidery and applique posts!