Wednesday, November 13, 2013

WIP Wednesday

Sunset

Here is my latest project, Sunset. This is another cycles quilt - clearly this cycles thing has become a series for me. That picture is just before the pins when in when I basted her. In that moment the quilt is perfectly smooth.

She is about 46" x 48" with circles that are about 10.5" in diameter. The fabrics are Kona colours, greys and the background is Kona charcoal.

Sunset

This is the first set of borders I put on. I did not have a lot of charcoal handy and let the amount of fabric dictate my choices. The next day I took them off and made the background much bigger. I can only say that I went with what felt right in terms of size, but I like it better now.

Untitled

Matchstick quilting has begun. I am quilting horizontal lines with many red/orange/pink threads, changing them out when I feel like it. Again, about 8 - 10 wobbly lines per inch.

Sunset - in progress

I follow the lines in the piecing and then mark a line with my hera marker about every 2" so that I don't start to tip to one side as I go. But mostly I eyeball it.

Sunset - in progress

My thought is to carry the sunset across the background with the threads and the threads will also change the colours of the circles some. In Cycles 2, I used threads that were like the background and which muted the colours of the circles. So this one is similar but not the same.

I will be quilting for a while - I can manage about an hour a day of this, maybe 3-5" depending on the number of interruptions, bobbin changes, and such, before my back tells me it is time for a rest. I tend to hunch over to see better due to the closeness of the lines I guess.

Beyond playing with colour and matchstick quilting, these cycles projects are, for me, all about simplicity of image, colour, style. They are an experiment in modern quilting that is reminiscent of some types of modern art. It is a struggle for me to not add more complexity and leave it at this. This seems to be a part of the modern style that I am developing as my own.

Pickledish block

Then there is the pickle dish project.  I think that a double wedding ring variation quilt has got to be about as traditional as they get.

Pickle dish appliqué detail

And gosh, appliqué, that is pretty traditional too. You can see that I am learning how, and here I am showing you my best work so far. I have 196 more appliqué eyes to do, but I am picking up speed, honest. This is my other major work in progress for the next while.

These two projects are making me wonder about my "style" and do I even have one yet. A little bit country, a little bit rock and roll? Or just scattered? One day maybe I will figure it out.

Other projects on the WIP list are:
  • 2 Slab Quilts for the Calgary flood project that Cheryl Arkison at Dining Room Empire is heading up - I am piecing blocks and finishing the quilts. I actually got to pick up blocks, backing and batting from her in person last weekend.
  • Shower party prize for the online baby shower for Sarah at Narcoleptic in a Cupboard - I have an idea, just need to make it. Oh, and I got my shower present in the mail today, which should be in time for the shower.
  • Placemats - urgently required (and in case you did not know this, don't put the pizza box on the beautiful wooden table, just saying...)
  • Stuff from my FAL list - I am afraid to look at the list right now.
  • Catch this blog up showing off  some other finishes, some beautiful things people have sent me and such.
  • Start thinking about the holidays - Yikes!


           WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced

I will link to Lee at Freshly Pieced and The Needle and Thread Network, see you there.

Best,

Leanne

34 comments:

Jo said...

What great quilting on Sunset! Can't wait to see it finished :)

brownnoseinc said...

Beautifly simple.....kudos

Terry Aske Art Quilts said...

Great colors. Looking forward to seeing it finished.

Nicole said...

Love sunset! I have a thing for pinks, reds, and oranges!
How long does it take to do the quilting?

Katelyn @ Sing While Crafting said...

I seriously love your "varying" styles! Such different takes on quilting from one person is not common. And the quilts you make are gorgeous! I cannot wait to see these completed!

Beth said...

Love the palette choices for Sunset. You really have an eye for color.

Brenda said...

I like the simplicity of the sunset quilt, but I don't envy you the task of all those quilting lines!

Rachel said...

Wow! Sunset is stunning.

Debbie said...

Love it when I go to comment somewhere & I see my daughter has posted just before me. Makes me smile. AND so does your latest quilt - I could just sit and start at your cycles quilts - SO cool.

That list of yours is heavy-duty...lots to look forward to!

Adrianne @ On the Windy Side said...

Love this quilt and the quilting. I think your cycles quilts are deceptively simple - like you say, it's not easy to leave things out.

CitricSugar said...

Love love love this one - the colours, the quilting...! Between this and your winner, I keep wanting to change the lyrics from Jukebox Hero to Matchstick Hero. I need to find the right project and the right patience to try that technique.

Vera said...

Your projects are lovely. No matter what you'll call your style I love it :-)

Sarah said...

Seems to me that the variety in your styles should be embraced and cherished. Don't seek to pigeonhole yourself or the world will lose out on your amazing creativity. Said it before and I will say it again, you do something with solid fabrics that just captivates me. It is amazing how in your hands flat colour is given life and beauty. Keep amazing me! (No pressure, my lovely! ;-))

Catherine said...

Both really beautiful. Although many of your quilts are quite different to each other, they all stand out. I think it's your use of colour.

pennydog said...

I'm posting my shower gift tomorrow, I finished up this morning but at work without a car today.

I love your cycles, you inspire me to try to be better at sharper curves as a quilty resolution for 2014, I think I just need more practise (mine usually have a little tuck where two lines meet as I struggle to sew them all in one go).

dutchcomfort said...

You have a thing for curves and you made me love them working on the Mod Pop quilt (which b.t.w. needs to be worked on...).
Love your Sunset circles and the quilting. Double Wedding ring has so many lovely fabrics in it!

Rhonda the Rambler said...

Remind me to send you a picture of the sunset I took the other day. It matches your quilt....gorgeous. Beyond making me fall in love with yet another of your lovely quilts, this post has made me realize just how behind I really am....once again life has gotten in between me and my machine!!!

Lucy | Charm About You said...

Sunset is looking incredible, those colours really pop on the greys. so beautiful and the quilting is amazing!

Sarah said...

I love your work, country or rock n roll!

Jayne said...

Again, another gorgeous combination! Everytime I see your work, I want to go try it!

GO STARS! said...

I've been quilting for years and have yet to come up with my "style". I love all projects - modern, traditional - and all fabrics - batiks, reproductions, solids, mod prints. Your projects - the simplicity of the circles and the complexity of the pickle dish - highlight the differences we carry within ourselves.

OPQuilt said...

Sunset is gorgeous and yes, oh boy, I do love that matchstick quilting in different colors. Re: slab quilts---maybe you'll have one of my blocks in there! That would be uber cool. Thanks for donating your time to get those quilts done. (You didn't say how many quilts there will be at the conclusion.)

Love the pickle dish--and it's been fun to see the progress.

heart of charnwood said...

Sunset really is stunning, keep cycling, I love them all! :o)

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Sunset Cycles is looking amazing, and the pickle-appliqué is mighty fine too xxx

Bluebell Ridge Handworks said...

I'd say you have a style going on...and it's quite lovely!

DeborahGun said...

sunset is beautiful :-)

Anne / Springleaf Studios said...

I'm really enjoying your circle series and think it will be interesting to see how they vary as you move forward. Love the colors of this one just as much as the cool colored one. As for style, I now what you mean as my interests and ideas are quite different at times. My sketchbook is all over the place.

Ella and Nesta said...

Love your matchstick quilting, this quilt is going to be beautiful.

mathea said...

I love your Sunset quilt - that matchstick quilting is wonderful, but lots of work - I do understand that you can only do an hour at a time. And your pickle dish quilt as well - so different but so lovely! I really want to start one of my own, but I'm just storing all the inspiration for now as I'm in the midst of moving, so I shall have to live vicariously through you for a while :-)

Katherine said...

Gorgeous! Sunset has such yummy colours and I adore your matchstick quilting in those pretty threads.

Oh, your pickle dish blocks are so lovely. I love your fabric choices.

PS. Understand completely what happens to a lovely wood table when a hot pizza box is set on it. Now my husband knows why I ALWAYS use hotpads. Too late for the table though. :o(

Anonymous said...

Sunset is another home run! The colors are so beautiful, and I love the matchstick quilting :-)

Michele said...

Love the matchstick quilting!

Regina said...

Wonderful projects .... as for your style, well mine is that I have none, which saves one decision at least ....

Katy Cameron said...

Loving your new cycles. Oooh, ooh, does that make it Recycled as you're repeating the pattern? :oD