Thursday, December 3, 2009

Work Quilt - Finished Photos


Early this morning the sun played a little game of peek-a-boo, before deciding to hide once again behind dark ominous clouds. It was just enough light to get these shots...


I know to some, this quilt may look like a lot of random patches just thrown on and sewn down, a bit of cloth chaos. However, each patch of fabric and every stitch was placed with a lot of thought and intention.


The oddness of it was intentional as my muse were the heavily patched work quilts from long ago, where scrap patches were placed wherever the hole was, and stitching was simple but often varied and sometimes a bit quirky.


I find myself becoming increasingly drawn to those old patched textiles. Maybe it's my age, for as I grow older I am starting to feel worn in some places, and with each new phase of life I feel a bit more patched and mended, (teenagers will do that to you) and layered with memories and stories but with a lot of life and purpose left in me... Just like those old quilts. I think there is an inherent beauty to that and I am looking towards exploring it and expressing it in my work during this upcoming new year. This quilt is the first step on that path.


Thanks to everyone for the positive feedback you have given me on this piece during its construction. I hope the final results didn't disappoint. I am really in an exploratory stage right now, fumbling a bit in the dark and I truly appreciate how accepting everyone is each time I shift directions in my work!

NOTE: You can see close up, detail photos of each of the individual nine blocks that make up this quilt on my Flickr site. You can also see the richness of the colors and the clarity of the stitches more true to life over on Flickr, (not sure why but the photos are always a wee bit fuzzy and the colors a bit off on the blog). xo

74 comments:

pklaw said...

I love, love, love this quilt! I am all giddy in anticipation of what you have in mind for the new year. You are an inspiration- I immediately want to get out grid paper and draft my own! Thank you so much for sharing this with us! You Rock! (I have been hanging with my grandchildren too much!)

Anonymous said...

it's perfect. congrats. this really is inspirational, as was your whole process. thanks for sharing.

Abby and Stephanie said...

Truly beautiful, rich, and inspiring. The photos of the clothesline and one against the yellow building would be lovely framed.

Audrie said...

I can't get over how amazing this looks! There's so much texture and little details everywhere. Simply wonderful!

Anina said...

Absolutely stunning! Congratulations.

Anonymous said...

I LOVE this quilt. I am not sure what I like best - the colors or the random look of the patches. It is a winner!

Alissa said...

I love love love this quilt. Really amazing work. So beautiful.

Minka said...

Nice work!

Gretchen said...

this is really wonderful. i've enjoyed watching your process.

Rosie's Whimsy said...

This is the most wonderful quilt I have ever seen! I love every detail! I am so inspired by the idea of a vintage inspired "work" quilt. Great job!

Kristin L said...

It's like a Miro painting translated through quilting. I love that it is grounded in a basic nine patch, but then there's all those wonderful patches dancing over it.

Michelle Engel Bencsko said...

Of all of the beautiful things you have created, this may be my favorite. Your notion of patches and being mended- and age and layers only adds to the beauty. It's wonderful, Victoria. I'm so glad to hear how happy you feel about it yourself.
-M

Interestingly, my veriword is "asking". I love it!

skogknits said...

i LOVE it

RosaMarĂ­a said...

awesome!!!! you did a beautiful really beautiful job! i love it!

Digs (Amanda Carestio) said...

I love all the little details... and the intention shows. Congrats on such an amazing creation - so inspiring!

Amy C said...

WOW, I really gasped when I saw this, it is soooo stunning and so incredibly rich and full of personality and meaning and life.
I LOVE it.
Of everything you mentioned in this quilt journey - I really can see you got there, I hope you feel that too.

yahaira said...

you finished! you finished!
it's gorgeous and so inspirational!
I love all the layers created by the fabric and stitches. The colors are so rich. perfect!

connie said...

This is even better in it's entirety. I think you are on a very interesting and adventurous road. I am looking forward to following to see where it takes you.

I LOVE THIS PIECE!!!

Allie said...

I adore this quilt. I love the colors, the stitching, the randomness that isn't TOO random...it has a coherent look to it. I think you need to enter this quilt in an art show - Houston or something. It is absolutely fabulous!

Cheryl Arkison said...

Oh Victoria! That is so raw and beautiful.
It seems positively perfect, in balance and in construction and detail.
And the photo on the building? Almost as beautiful as the quilt.

domoshar said...

It is absolutely perfect

I love the ordered chaos, the rich colours, the hand stitching, running through it.

It has character of its own - it is stylish and cute, balanced and unordered, incorporating some brights and some muted colours.

You are in the right direction for sure!

XUE said...

I love this quilt, Vic!...every patch, every stitch, every everything! And I love how it looks with that green yard (?) & picket fence & that barn (?). Is this your home because I love the glimpse of it!

Grangry said...

This is lovely - reminds me of 1950's furnishing fabrics circa Festival of Britain - and yet still easily identifiable as your work!

Anonymous said...

This is a gorgeous finished piece Victoria. And I am blown away by the gorgeous photos of it in the wind but especially of the one outside on the house. WOW!

High Desert Diva said...

One word:
Marvelous

Unknown said...

Victoria, This quilt is just phenomenal! I love every stitch and every piece of fabric. Just a wonderful job!

Erin @ Why Not Sew? Quilts said...

I think your quilt is great. I love the hand stitching. The colors are wonderful. Great job.

jude said...

i really like this.

QuiltyBee said...

These fabrics work so well with the stitching. Beautiful work.

leilani said...

This piece falls into my covetous "wish it were mine" category!

yolie said...

unbelieveable! you slay me. this is absolutely stunning. bravo!

Rebekah said...

Absolutely amazing! I love the rich colors and textures in this quilt. Your work is stunning and that photo of the quilt on the gold building is gorgeous!

mjb said...

Very beautiful. I like the photo of the quilt on the building as well.

Deborah said...

Your quilt is just beautiful! It's a real treat for the eyes.

nanann said...

very cool!

Nina Lise@Mrs Moen said...

The quilt is perfect, Victoria, and it has been interesting to follow your process. I'm looking forward to follow you down your new path.

Anonymous said...

Love the quilt....and that photo against the yellow-gold wall! Just wonderful. I see so much heart, whimsy, care...and even affection in your work...I can imagine this one...handed down for generations...Loved more and more with every passing year. Thanks so much for sharing...The muse is singing....!

Susan

Diane J. Evans said...

Love the piece, Victoria, and I enjoyed following the process. Your stitching is incredible!

Diane

Hey Harriet said...

Far out Vic! I knew this would turn out awesome but this has even exceeded my expectations! You are brilliant and I LOVE IT!!!! The photo of it on the side of that building is magic. Did you climb all the way up there to hang it? ;) Oh I can just see the looks on your neighbour's faces! Haha! Congratulations on such a beautiful piece!

Kickcan & Conkers said...

Your quilt journey is proving enlightening! what a wonderful array of colours and textures. Quite stunning! well done.

Karen said...

this is a stunning piece Victoria and I was also almost distracted by the scenes behind it, your beautiful fields and outbuilding.

Browndirtcottage said...

...I'm ga ga over this!....it's
s-o-o-o Jean Wells-ish!

......I.WANT.

noricum said...

Lovely! I love all the detail, and enjoyed reading your post. :) I came here from your Flickr photo link.

leilani said...

I covet this piece. Sorry. But that's the truth of the matter.

patstudio said...

i love the new take on an old story.....great quilt and fabulous color. i'm not disappointed.....

greta said...

TRULY gorgeous.
I *gasped* at the photo against the ochre
background.
Swoon-a-rooni!

Victoria said...

Thanks so much everyone! And Thanks to our trusty old cedar shed, (those skilled Amish men know how to build 'em!) for providing the perfect backdrop!

Unknown said...

This quilt remains me of paintings by Paul Klee. Absolutely gorgeous!

jglitter said...

WOW!!!!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
dutchcomfort said...

I’m without words! I can’t find a word to describe what I see, all superlatives come to mind, but they don’t seem to be good enough!

Thanks for being a wonderful inspiration and you’re definitely on the right quilting track!!

picciolo said...

I think it is gorgeous Victoria, I love it against the yellow wall and even more in the close up pictures. The contrasting threads work beautifully
: )

Claire - Matching Pegs said...

I just found your post via "One Red Robin". Your quilt is amazing.

"each patch of fabric and every stitch was placed with a lot of thought and intention"....You Can Tell! Your composition is amazing.

Now I am going to go and check out all your older work.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!

xo,
Maggie

Anonymous said...

Lovely! Intrigued by the(what I will call) embellished stab and stitch. Thank you for sharing this.

Sharon (Stitches on Mars) said...

Its a stunning quilt. I have to thank One red robin for pointing me in your direction. You can tell a lot of thought has gone into it...its balanced and random and just plain wonderful
Hugs,
Sharon

Fabric Fanatic said...

I heart this quilt to the moon and back! Every fabric choice, every quilting stitch, all of it! Can I give you a standing ovation?

Sarah said...

Lovely colour scheme. Kind of reminds me of those red-green colourblindness tests ;)For some reason the abstract shapes make me think of Klimt (one of my favourite artists).

sMacThoughts said...

I am blown away by your handwork. This is an incredible work!!

Andrea said...

This quilt is unbelievably wonderful.

Dee / Cloth Company said...

lovely, lovely, lovely! look forward to seeing where this path takes you!

(I'm living with teenagers, too! -- boys --- Wonder if I could make a quilt of wet towels, strewn upon the floor?!!)

inkywu said...

Truly beautiful work.

Lily Mulholland said...

Just adding to the high praise - this is just beautiful. I am loving where your art is taking you. Wonderful, wonderful and inspiring!

(PS your quilt has arrived! I will also convo you via Etsy so you know there too!)

prettywithribbons said...

beautiful! Stitching is gorgeous.

Anonymous said...

I'm late to the party Victoria (haven't had internet access for FIFTEEN DAYS!!! lol); but wanted to tell you how much I love this quilt. It's absolutely stunning.

Fine Little Day said...

Such great work!

jacquie said...

oh victoria, you must be so pleased. this is stunning...such movement and joy in this quilt. are you selling this one?

Lesly said...

Just spectacular. I love this quilt!

Michelle said...

Love it! Hope you had a Merry Christmas.

Heidi said...

I'm losing my mind over this quilt! I want to cover my entire house in its family members. Sadly, I don't have the brain power to pull it off...

Ieva said...

That's awesome!!! Looks phantastic!

AllisonK said...

Stunning quilt. I adore the variety of stitches you used.

Kim said...

I just happened across your blog, read this story about your quilt and I have to tell you that I enjoyed reading this and can appreciate your thoughts and desire to create such a quilt. It is a beauty and I am glad that you enjoyed the process and shared with us. Such a joyful and fulfilling project. Thank you! Thanks for sharing this.

Miss Monny Quilts said...

WOW and double WOW!! I happened to come across your blog by god knows where (you know, click click here, click click there and bang, I am here!!)

I am in love with your quilt and your style of art. I enjoy seeing the tiny details in your stitching and the running stitches when you quilt. Beautiful.

Oh, yes, I remember now. I googled 'wonky star tutorial' and it took me to you!!