Thursday, November 5, 2009

Layer by Layer

Remember the shot cotton quilt I was working on from a few posts back? Well, what I didn't explain in that post was how I am approaching its construction...

Because my muse for this piece is old work quilts, (which I am not trying to duplicate, only be inspired by) I thought it'd make sense to build the quilt up in various layers...


I first started off with 9 12.5" x 12.5" base squares of fabric and appliqued various patches on each one. (These squares were to represent the various patched fabrics that would have been recycled into a work quilt.) Then I sewed them all together for the quilt top and did the first layer of quilting, (which is what I showed in the first post.)

Now I've moved onto the 2nd layer. This finds me sewing on more patches, (such as the ones in both of these photos) some overlapping patches from layer #1 and some overlapping the seams joining the base squares. (This is to represent the patching that would have been done after the work quilt got used and worn even more.)


Along with the shot cottons, I'm also starting to incorporate bits of really lovely woven cottons that have an aged look to them. (The white thread will be removed, as it was just used as a preliminary basting stitch until I could machine applique the patches in place. The brown threads will also get trimmed off.)

More long rows of quilting come next, (this time in a zig-zag stitch I think, just to add some interest).

After that I move onto layer #3... probably more of the same, just slowly building it up until either I have the look I want, or I have made a complete mess... hoping it's the first! More to come later!

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There's a new quilt blog recently started called Modify Tradition. It's about the journey of marrying the look of a modern quilt with the techniques used in traditional quilt making. Discussion is encouraged and I am finding the posts and the conversation very entertaining. Check it out, it deserves a look!

19 comments:

Lily Mulholland said...

It surprises me how stupid I am some times. I always have a lot of shifting when I pin my quilt labels on before I stitch them down. Reading your post has just made me realise I should BASTE them with THREAD! It's okay, the light's come on now :) I am really interested in following the construction of this quilt. Mesmerising!

Audrie said...

This looks absolutely amazing! I've never worked with shot cotton but I want to now! Can't wait to see this all done!

Unknown said...

I love how you are incorporating zig-zag stitches with straight-line machine quilting, with hand quilting... this leads to an interesting surface play with thread! Genius!

dutchcomfort said...

Great quilt-to-be! Your work and use of colour is inspiring, as usual!

Love the shot-cottons. I bought some to use together with Japanese woven fabrics. I’ll have a New York Beauty class next week. Love to learn traditional techniques and to translate them into more modern ones.

Thanks for the link to Modify Tradition!

Anonymous said...

Oooh! Lovin' that! Looking forward to more as its revealed...

Jennifer said...

Thanks for plugging our little project! Amazingly enough, my Modify Tradition quilt is shot cottons. They are lovely, but love to fray...

Can't wait to see your finished product!

rosie/the fabric shopper said...

I LOVE this kind of quilt! I know it will look amazing when you finish it! I am going to try and put together a quick quilt for charity in the next couple weeks. I may have some questions for you!!!

connie said...

You left me wanting more... I love what this is becoming, oh and the shot cotton is wonderful. I have still not gotten any but it is on my list of must have's. Have a great week and I will be watching and waiting to see layer #3..

Take Care!

RosaMarĂ­a said...

you are doing an amazing job! thanks for sharing those beautiful bits!

shellysquilts said...

Vic, I find your work and process fascinating and interesting. I am excited to see how this turns out. You rock! Happy sewing, friend!

Diane J. Evans said...

You do layers very well, Victoria -- it's one of your techniques that I've admired in the pieces on your Etsy site. Great vision!

Diane

Nina Lise@Mrs Moen said...

Thank you for sharing your process; I cannot imagine you'll make a mess out of it! I love how you have used only solid-ish fabric.

Colleen MacDonald said...

OH. MY. GOD. That is so beautiful it brings tears to my eyes. Really. I cannot wait to see it at arm's length. You are officially a genius.

Allie said...

This is amazing - really creative! I'm loving it!

Hey Harriet said...

OMG the colours are gorgeous! I can't wait to see the finished piece! Even though I'm not a quilter I enjoyed reading about the techniques you used. The process sounds very involved and it is because of you Vic that I have a much better appreciation of the artform of quilting. You're an inspiration! Not only to quilters, but to anybody who loves art and creating! Love what you do!!!

Anonymous said...

Sweden calling...

So glad I stumbled on your lovely lovely blog today, it's always nice to find other blogger out and about on the net! Sooooo nice post!

Peace & Love

Agneta

Fer said...

Another inspiring piece of work from you! I love it, also makes me think of the Wagga quilts we have here.

picciolo said...

I think this one is going to be amazing Victoria, I love the colours and shapes and the building up of the layers. Can't wait to see more!
: )

Michelle Engel Bencsko said...

I can't believe you've ever made a mess of things, ever!
This has the promise of my heart leaping. The colors are amazing and so are the little details you've shared.