Work Quilt in my ongoing series...
While all of the fabric is new, this quilt is definitely inspired by the look of old, patched quilts made from worn-out work clothes.
The first layer consists of blocks that were pieced from randomly sized squares, rectangles and strips of shot cottons, in various shades of blues and grey-greens.
Pink, brown and plum threads are cross woven with the blues and the greens in these fabrics, giving them all a richness and earthiness that makes my heart go pitter--patter! (Look around... nothing in nature is made up of just one solid color... grass is never all green, dirt is never all brown... a faded white barn is really a slew of various shades... That's why I love shot cottons so much.)
Some of the pieces have some reverse applique patches... the one on the left is a quarter circle, inspired by the shape of a front denim pocket. The one on the right is a circle, inspired by a patched hole in the knee of a pair of work pants. Also, check out the faded strip of blue running down the center patch... it was a "flaw" in the cloth, and I think it's perfection!
The 2nd layer consists of machine quilting, using a straight stitch as well as zig-zag stitching. (The machine stitching is meant to symbolize both the stitching one might find in old work clothing as well as paying tribute to machine work that assists us with our labor.)
The next layer, (which I have just started and isn't shown here) consists of hand quilting, (that's to pay tribute to slow, thoughtful labor) and after that most likely there will be a 4th layer consisting of some appliqued patches, (to honor the various stages of life, love, and aging.)
More to follow soon!
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In other news, I am happy to report that my youngest daughter is doing much better. The doctor saw her this morning and finally pronounced her lungs clear! Now, eldest daughter has picked up something similar. As for me I am trying to stay maternal and nurturing, but truthfully I am dodging those hacking coughs as if they were bullets. My "mystery trip" is right around the corner and I am trying my best to stay healthy for the venture! (P.S. The "Work Quilts" are going with me.)
37 comments:
This one is beautiful, those soft blue-greens are perfect - like well worn jeans with patches and grass stains
That's beautiful and the thought and ideas behind it make it even more wonderful!
tough times with all the sickness...yikes! and in the summer too. mine came home from summer semester not feeling his best either...nothing a little mom care won't fix.
loving this next quilt...and very excited to find out more about your big trip!
Really digging the stiching on this one. Can't wait to see it full on!
So cool to see your thoughts into work- what you love, what gets you all excited. Thanks so much for sharing all this. Now, let's see the whole shebang, baby!
Stay well! Keep your Mommy Defenses strong.
Love the look of this - colours and fashot fabrics are lovely. Can't wait to see what happens next - it can only get better.
Oops! Sorry about the typo...
Love the colors in this!
I love how you use fabrics. You can take something so simple and make it represent something so beautiful. Whatever trip you're taking with your quilts is well deserved.
simply stunning....
Oh so beautiful - the shot cottons add such depth! I'm glad your daughter is feeling better, I hope the other one doesn't get it too bad - and that you don't get it at all!
I love the earthiness of this one, and how it already looks well worn and loved. Beautiful work yet again!
Lovely quilt, so rich and calm. Nice to see your progress and hear your thoughts about the work. Hope you stay well!
Your stories that go with quilts are as fascinating as the quilts themselves! Love these sedate colours!
Hope the girls get better soon and no doubt your keeping them going with lots of love, care and homemade soup.
Even with all this going on your creating a super quilt here - love the colours and stitching
Another fabulous quilt as always. Here is a little aside story. In the late 60's there was a fad for fake hair pieces. The fun part was that a person would look at your hair color and make the hair piece to match your hair. They used many different colors to make the hair piece: red, green, blue, orange, purple, yellow, brown, etc.
People were fascinated with how many colors were in their hair piece. Bonnie B
Oh Yeah! This is so perfect.
Thanks to each of you, and Bonnie, that is a very interesting bit of information! (Makes me want to examine my hair in the light and see what I find!)
I'm so glad I found your blog~ your work truely inspires me, keep up the great work..... thank you! :)
your quilts are so amazing :-)
It's never great when the kids are sick. We've also done the rounds with wisdom teeth and glandular fever right in the middle of exams!
I hope everyone is on the mend. I just wanted to say I love the shot cottons and what you have done with them. I am expecting a stack of them to arrive soon in the post and you have, once again, inspired me.
I really love the colours you've chosen. What colours will you use for the hand quilting, the underlying plums and sandy pinks or more blues?
I thought nothing could top work Quilt #1, but this one is definitely emerging as a favourite. Glad to see you finding comfort in stitching with such trying times.
Thanks again everyone.
Munaiba, for the hand quilting, (after auditioning a lot of different colors) I decided to use 4 different variegated threads, 2 of which are in shades of green with golds and browns, and two which are shades of brown, with tan, and rust running through them. These seemed to have the right mixture of harmony and "pop!" when laid across the quilt.
It is so difficult to see your children not feeling well -- and trying to stay healthy is no small feat while caring for them. This latest quilt should soothe you during these rough times -- it's a beauty.
Diane
Wow, Victoria. This is just amazingly beautiful, and I adore hearing about your process so much. I'm glad that one daughter is on the mend; sending love and healing energy for the other to get well quick (and for you to avoid it altogether!).
This quilt is just yummy! I spent part of my weekend patching my nephew's baby quilt. I posted the saga today on my blog and I can't wait to give it back to him. Oh, by the way he in now 12 1/2 and I have had the quilt to fix for the last 8 - 9 years!
very inspiring. the fabrics are almost iridescent.
This is beautiful! I bought some shot cotton recently & this made me want to jump online & buy LOTS MORE! Thank you for sharing
Hi Vic, sorry to hear that this bug is making its rounds with yr kids. Keep on dodging! Lovely to see your latest hard work & lovely to read your thoughts. Have a fun, super & safe trip!
I hope all of those hacking coughs are now gone and everyone is feeling good!
Where are you going Vic? Where are you going with your work quilts. It sounds very exciting. And I think you really really need to share with us. Spill the beans now! Now I say!
...please? :D
Oh and thanks for the well wishes. I'm feeling much better now xo
I love the vintage look!
I wish your daughters a speedy recovery and hope you manage to keep dodging those bugs!
I love your quilt so far, it looks perfect for snuggling under
: )
You always anage to come up with something new and original and inspiring.
Keep dodging those germs!
Your work continues to inspire me......so lovely!
I even found a book (albeit) tiny
about Pojagi (or po for short as the Koreans use it) wrapping clothes.
Did you know there is a different word for each use of Pojagi?
Like "Sangyongpo" = daily use po
"Sangpo"= to cover tables with
"Posonpo"= to keep socks in
can you guess what "Hampo" is?
Yes to wrap the ham in :0)
And different word to describe how they are made too:
"Hotpo"= made of a single sheet of cloth without inner lining.
"Kyoppo"=made with inner and outer sheets.
"Sompa"made with cotton inner lining.
"Chogakpo"= made by sewing small pieces of cloth together.
and there are many many more words for Pojagi.... all very interesting.
Happy sewing and safe travels
This is beautiful! I can't wait to see it when it's finished!
By the way, I used some of the beautiful ribbon you sent along in a little side stich piece. It was SO hard to actually use it, hopefully the little piece does it justice!
Beautiful quilt, Victoria.
Thanks for sharing the process.
Always interesting for me, everytime I visit here...you always come up with new fresh original idea :)
You're one of my lovely blogfriends that made me confident with my 'puckery quilt' :) Thanks!
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