Markings #3 and more Rambling
Markings #3 ©2006 74"x66"
Happy day! I think I found the problem with my computer. Not 10 minutes after my post on friday the darn thing refused to start up excel again. Arg. But thinking about the problems I realized it was always related to my machine hibernating. So I turned this feature off and haven’t had a problem since (and it was happening daily). Hurray – this means buying a new computer is no longer on my list of goals as I’m pretty sure everything is fine.
But that is the only art related thing I accomplished this weekend because I got the crazy idea to completely rearrange the furniture in my house, which of course required cleaning quite a bit of it. The kids are thrilled because we have reinstated my television (banished to a dark corner in basement storage 2-3 years ago). We can’t watch shows on TV but we can watch movies on DVD. New goal: I will not let the TV interfere with my art time.
And for those not glued to Denver weather, it snowed again today. I think we got about 8-10″ here in Parker, which is just sitting on top of the leftovers from the previous 4 weeks of snow. I can safely say I am completely ready for winter to be over. I’d like to just stay home tomorrow but I’ve got to get my son up to school because they leave for Mexico in the morning. I’m not looking forward to that drive. Although from what I can tell I’m not sure I can even get down my street at this point. Hm…
I promise I’ll get back to talking about art soon.
But in the meantime the above quilt was finished in the fall of 2006. It’s quite large, 6′ by 5.5′ and quilted just as closely as the other pieces in this series. I believe it took me about 36 hours to do the quilting, which is done with a walking foot with the feeddogs up for the quilters out there that wonder. And yes – I stop and turn the quilt at each corner. Maybe not the easiest way to do this but the way I enjoy. Here’s a detail of the quilting.
Markings #3 Detail
Posted by Lisa in: Abstract Contemporary Textile Art, Musings
Hi Lisa, another lovely quilt! All that turning and manipulating your quilts (esp the big ones) must really give your shoulders and arms a workout!
Aaah, my favorite colors!
Sometimes it’s best not to fight it and quit feeling guilty about doing things in a way that others might label harder or slower. When you find a way that works for you and that you are happy with, that’s the way you should od it!
Every time I quilt with my walking foot, I swear I hear dozens of free-motion quilters gasping at my backwardness – but I’m learning ot ignore them because, like you’ve mentioned is true for you, I just can’t get as good a stitching line sometimes any other way. And I find it a lot less stressful, physically and mentally. And isn’t the point of all this to enjoy doing the work?
Lisa
I love it when someone doesn’t do the norm. Just because freemotion quilting is the technique du jour doesn’t mean it’s the best for you. BTW, have you tried putting the walking foot into reverse (or more accurately, putting the machine in reverse while the walking foot is still on it). I did this once years ago on a project and had forgotten about it until your post.
Sharon in Chicago
Love those colors! Makes me want to go for a swim.
I have been free motion machine quilting rows of stitching because even though I have the same sewing machine as you,and even with the walking foot I always have trouble with the top layer of fabric creeping – then sometimes I will get a little lump of fabric when I come up on an area alread quilted (hope this very run on sentence makes sense!). I use Hobbs 80/20 batting and really flatten my layers. I have gotten pretty good at doing it free motion, but if I get in too much of a hurry my stitch length gets inconsistent. Your Marking series is very interesting and of course your quilting is wonderful.
gosh, I just love the colours, this one and #2, and how you do them.
love love love it. really. Your quilting is having a big influence on my work. thanks for sharing.
Your quilt is gorgeous!! I, too, love the colours=:)
I think that however someone approaches the process of making their art work, it becomes the right way. Poo with rules and conventions…they’re made to be broken! That’s how invention and creativity blossom.
I love the yellow ochre on the aqua blue background, a very cool combination.
Yes, these colors are a hit with me too! Beautiful work, Lisa.
I have previously done hatch quilting with a darning foot (but still with the feed dogs UP) with moderate success. More recently, as I wanted straighter lines, I have been using the walking foot and it is definitely a time-consuming process. If anyone is interested,I have posted images on my blog at:
http://serendipitypatchwork.com.au/blog/2007/01/27/a-new-dawn/
Thanks for the compliments everyone.