Sunday, July 20, 2014

Breathe - Ta Da!

Breathe

Here is Breathe. She is about 65" square after washing - she pulled in about 5" on each axis when I washed her. She is made from Kona cottons and Essex linen borders and binding. The matchstick quilting was done with Aurifil and Superior cotton threads in various colours.

I quilted her on my Millennium APQS longarm and the lines were all placed freehand without any computer or channel lock assistance. I need to point out that this is not that hard a thing to do on my nicely levelled Millennium as the machine likes to go horizontally. It is more a matter of not "over steering" than anything else to make the lines straight. In fact the harder part is to wobble them every so slightly while keeping the lines really close together for the industrial modern look I am trying to achieve.

Breathe

I was trying to capture the concept of air, breath, calm and lightness. It is only fitting that when I had decent light and enough quilt holders, it was a bit windy.

Breathe

There she is, breathing. And showing off my team of expert quilt holders in their chosen beach footwear.

Breathe

The binding and borders are Essex linen. I think it is my favourite fabric ever. After washing, both the binding and the quilt have the industrial modern - think warehouse loft - texture and feel that I am hoping to achieve. You can also see a bit of the thread colours in this shot. I used whites, greys, blues, yellows, and purples, changing them randomly or when the bobbin was done.

Breathe

Breathe is part of a series of quilts I call my Cycles quilts because the series began with a mini called Cycles. If you want to see them all, check out the My Quilts tab at the top of the blog.

Breathe

While I made this quilt, I was stressed and worried and too busy, pulled in too many directions, and trying my best to manage everything everyone needed. I kept reminding myself to just breathe.

Breathe

The back of this quilt was pieced to feature fabrics that I had on hand which also evoked the feeling of air.

Breathe

The quilting and the thread changes look great on the back too.


You can see a bit of the yellow thread at the bottom of this photo of the back.

Breathe

Despite the look of the photos, she really is square and flat.


I took that picture above to give you a bit of scale. She is lying on my king size bed below the pillows.

Breathe

To me the darkest blue circle goes at the bottom right, but I think she looks good from most any angle.

Breathe

I did keep breathing as I made this quilt. The outside forces have calmed for the summer now, and everything got done, all goals were achieved for everyone and we are now left, in my family, to try to just relax, refocus and to breathe, before the onslaught of new challenges in the fall.

Enjoy your Sunday, I plan to be back in this space much more often now.

Best,

Leanne

40 comments:

tracie c. said...

wow what a beauty! just as i opened the post a very ethereal whispery breathy song came on my spotify. like your piece had it's own soundtrack to view this by! :) perfect name and i love the style. love the little wobbles. my kind of look! again, just beautiful!

Catherine said...

Fabulous Leanne! And I love the picture with the feet too :-)

Sandra Louise said...

This is just gorgeous. I love the match stick quilting and the texture it gives. Well done.

Katy Cameron said...

The quilt is fab, and I'm enjoying trying to play 'name those feet' without actually having a clue who my potential starting lineup is ;o) I'm thinking maybe OH, daughter, son?

Jan said...

You did such a great job on this quilt. It's wonderful.

cakath said...

Well Done Leanne,
The quilt is indeed soothing and airy!
Love this series. Can't wait to see what you are going to do next.

Vera said...

Looks great! Love that pic with your quilt holders :)

Brenda said...

One day (soon) I will be quilting and what you just taught me in this quilt is wonderful!! I love the matchbook (is that what it is called???) quilting, the narrow lines all across the quilt, and want to do this on a few of my projects because I love how it lets the fabrics speak for them selves. But, your use of colored threads, not being the same all through is wonderful!! Would I have thought of it myself???? I am so glad I have bought myself a book on how to let my creative spirit out and play (it is in the mail) because my 'fear' of quilting is stopping me and simple things like thread - has me questioning this art to.

To see you, make this beauty and use all those colors in it, just makes my heart sing. And let me know that I can (and will) do this too, with more ideas in my head. Thank-you. And I really like this quilts name and how it looks. Thank-you again.

Karen said...

Very Sweet!! I love the straight lines....you inspired me to do that on two of my grandgals quilts I made this summer.....perfect for them!!.....i also posted it on my blog....I, like you, am pulled in a few different directions right now and your Breathe is helping me do just that.......BREATHE!!......thanks!!!

Benta AtSLIKstitches said...

Gorgeous!

Cille said...

Wonderful :) the straight lines works great withe the circle layout

Sarah said...

Breathe is amazing and I am glad you are in a place for the summer where you can slow down, regroup and do just that. Bless you, lovely one!

Judith, Belfast said...

Breathe is such a great metaphor for this season. We all need to be still and breathe a little more! Jxo

Michele said...

Wow. It is just fabulous and the simplicity of the design does just remind one to breathe and relax. Nicely done.

elle said...

I'm breathless just looking at her! Have a great rest!

Arita said...

Your cycle quilts have been gorgeous.

Linda said...

It is just fabulous! I love how you changed the threads. I love everything about her!

Ali Honey said...

I love it. It's cool and fresh and appears uncomplicated. Love the quilting.

Brenda said...

great finish and great advice -- breathe. is this quilt destined for a show or two?

Debbie said...

Breathe is so lovely! I agree Essex is the best and it is such a good partner with your matchstick quilting!

Amy Friend said...

It's just fantastic!

Vicki said...

Absolutely stunning! Your work is just amazing.

Carla said...

It's so calming and lovely. I think you achieved the look you wanted. Well done!

Ella said...

Gah. I love each an every one you've done in this series. Just stupendous. and lovely....

margaret said...

amazing, so much quilting on it, was surprised that it shrank so much but suspect that was to do with so much quilting.

Cindy said...

Leanne, she's an absolute stunner! I love the photo with their toes sticking out :)

pennydog said...

I really want to feel the texture in these quilts!

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

Very nice Leanne!! you did so much quilting on this...fantastic

Poppyprint said...

Breathe is lovely, Leanne. I think that one of the most valuable aspects of our craft is the peace it can bring us in times of stress and worry. My favourite part of this quilt are the crinkly strips between the larger spaced lines of quilting. I hope I get to see it in person!

Run Quilt Knit Write said...

It's really gorgeous Leanne!

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

She's beautiful! So calming...

Becky (My Fabric Obsession) said...

Just so beautiful!! Love all of it. the fabrics, the quilting and the message. :)

MariQuilts said...

So lovely.....have a wonderful time relaxing.

Nicole said...

Looks lovely - a great addition to the series. Happy holidays!

Taya@TypeB said...

I just love all of your Cycles quilts. And the matchstick quilting is beautiful! Do you piece your circles as one piece or are they more like four drunkard's path blocks pieced together? (Sorry if you have answered this elsewhere.) I have circles on my mind as well :)

Meg said...

This is really gorgeous. I applaud your patience in sticking with the matchstick quilting--it absolutely makes the quilt that much more special. Well done!

AnnMarie said...

Love, love your quilt so, so much!

SewPsyched! said...

I'm glad you are getting a chance to relax and breathe for a space! and want to thank you for taking the time to make your art and share it, even when it leads to breathlessness. XX!!
lori

leanne said...

so stunning - and I love the photo of your quilt holders ! so glad you can have some calm family time at the beach to refresh and breathe :)

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

Breathe is especially beautiful and those legs sticking out from behind the quilt make me smile