Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Having Fun


I thought it might be fun this week to switch to some brighter, richer colors, (a final farewell to the vibrancy of summer) and let myself be inspired by the weavings that one might find in Mexico or Guatemala...


Using stripes of solid shot cottons, along with some striped shot cotton, plaids and a madras fabric, I pieced the tops.


Then using 12wt. Premium Sulky® 100% Blendable Cotton Threads, I did the same closely, but unevenly spaced rows of meandering straight stitch that I used on my last piece ...


I really had a lot of fun with these two little quilts... probably because I use to weave before I quilted, and I got a real kick out of the one art form inspiring the other. More of these quilts are in the works.


Color Weave no.1


and Color Weave no.2

are currently available for sale in my shop.

(P.S. Lest you are thinking that I have abandoned my hand stitching, rest assured that is not the case! I am currently working on the hand quilted layer on Work Quilt no.4 as well as working on another Yukata cloth table runner similar to the one shown here. More about those, coming soon!

48 comments:

Jackie said...

I love these and love the way you have used the striped fabric.

Molly said...

Gorgeous!

Michele said...

Swoon! They're both drool worthy and inspiring.

Unknown said...

I am totally in love with these!! They are my colors for sure!! I have these wovens in my shop and in my stash, so I think that I may just have to get some out and do something similar... Thank you for the inspiration!

connie said...

OK, you have done it again. I am so inspired......
Such a lovely diversion.

Victoria Bennett Beyer said...

You woke up my eyes! Beautiful work, as always.

Bellgirl said...

These look justwonderful, they pop out from the screen!

Sujata Shah said...

Beautiful quilts! Lovely colors and oh the textures with machine quilting!
Victoria, I can help but say this here, if you have the chance to visit Free People store in King of Prussia, don't miss it! I just blogged about it and posted some pictures of their store display on my blog.
I have a feeling that you will enjoy what you see.

Victoria said...

Thanks everyone!

Sujata... say no more as I know exactly what you are referring too!! I've been there, and was totally inspired! I have drooled over the textiles such as the one on the couch covers and on the dressing room curtains, and they served as inspiration for this table runner:

http://thesillyboodilly.blogspot.com/2009/09/patchwork-days.html

Erin @ Why Not Sew? Quilts said...

Vic-
These are beautiful! Where do you set your stitch length at for these? I am so looking forward to chatting about all of this next week! yippee!

Sharon (Stitches on Mars) said...

Gorgeous, lovely colours and I adore the texture you achieve with the meandering lines. I loved the table runner from the previous post too :)
Hugs, Sharon

Victoria said...

Thanks Erin and Sharon!

Erin, I set the length at a 3. (And I am really looking forward to our together next week, too!)

Michelle Engel Bencsko said...

Are those stripes sewn? *dying*
I just LOVE your spontaneous nature.

I want to share a screen shot http://twitpic.com/2qpvel of my google reader: two of my favorites - totally in sync tonight color-wise. (http://blogdelanine.blogspot.com/)

Sarah Payne said...

They are fabulous! The colours really pop!

Fer said...

I've never seen shot cotton used to such great effect before, your work is always inspiring!

Victoria said...

Again, thanks!

Michelle, the horizontal stripes are sewn, but the smaller segments of vertical stripes are not, (that's the striped shot cotton, plaids and/or madras fabric.)

(And thanks for the twitter pic!)

Sidney said...

I am such a lurker: never comment on blogs, but I just have to tell you that these little quilts made me gasp out loud. So compelling in their sturdy simplicity! Thank you for the reminder that very often, less is better

Sidney said...

I am such a lurker: never comment on blogs, but I just have to tell you that these little quilts made me gasp out loud. So compelling in their sturdy simplicity! Thank you for the reminder that very often, less is better

Hey Harriet said...

These are adorable Vic! They do have a cool Mexican vibe to them. I could spend many hours happily admiring these quilts while sipping coronas!

Hey Harriet said...

Oh wow! I went to heart them on Etsy and discovered you've sold one already! Way to go girl! Congrats! xo

Audrie said...

I can't say enough how much I love these! Gorgeous colours!

Anonymous said...

By machine or by hand, your work is always stunning.

Gina said...

These are absolutely stunning. The colours and the way you have combined them are glorious.

Unknown said...

What super pieces - love the colours

dutchcomfort said...

Stunning! Colours and texture!

patty a. said...

Lovely work! The quilting reminds me of what I am doing on my art quilt pieces. I just love the texture.

Munaiba said...

These are both stunning but I particularly like the purple one.

Linda at Roscoe's Ma said...

Wow! I love this look!

Deborah said...

They look great!

Caterina Giglio said...

brilliant and beautiful

Dorrie said...

I just love your work. I must try something yummy like this. . .it's completely out of my box, but I'm drawn to it. Love!

Anonymous said...

Wow, knock my eyes out, these are bright and make me laugh they are so happy! xox Corrine

Cheryl Arkison said...

Fun, indeed! I can see how you needed the break. Still impressed with your patience for all that quilting.

Jane Moxey said...

Really beautiful work! I enjoyed your latest article in the Art Quilter magazine too! Congrats!

meli B said...

These are totally sweet! I have lots of shots and stripes and this is a great way to use them.

Diane J. Evans said...

These are my kind of colors, Victoria -- beautifully rendered, as always. I love the way your creativity exhibits itself.

Diane

XUE said...

Wow! Wow! Wow!
I love these & especially the purple one soooo much! And I want to gatecrash your get-together next week !

RosaMaría said...

I really LOVE your work!!!
those are fantastic!!

Kim said...

What else can I add that hasn't been said? Lovely pieces, you have a terrific color sense, and your work is truly inspiring.
I'm happy to see that your creations sell so well....they are just beautiful works of art.

Happy Sewing

Karen said...

these are just stunning and you may not be aware of it but you are doing exactly what I was talking about. Your work screams about recognition of our female predecessors. I hear you anyway.

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Wow what fabulous work! Thanks for sharing it with us!

Anonymous said...

Well done Sophie-
you have, yet again,kept going..and going...and producing more unique pieces of work which inspire and motivate others.

You have turned adversity on its pointy head and created these works which are very special...Babes.
Cate, September 27th

Colleen MacDonald said...

They are absolutely spectacular!! I love the color combinations, the top stitching, and the photo styling. Ahhhh.... I need to go get my hands in some fabric now!

Kristin L said...

Lovely as ever. The vibrant colors work so well for this simple, yet elegant treatment. :-)

sophie said...

Your pieces really convey the feeling of Guatamalan jaspe cloth. Beautiful!

Kathryn said...

You just don't stop! I love these! And I'm eager to see what else you're working on ... going over to look now!

Nicole said...

Gosh those are GORGEOUS!

Kim D. said...

I just found your blog and love your art pieces. Such simple quilting with amazing effect.