Creating “Poppies”
I completed my latest piece, “Poppies”, on Sept 2, barely in time to submit for consideration in the Pacific International Quilt Festival. It was a wild ride, down to the wire. I will hold off on photos of its completion until it shows, but I do want to share some of my “learning curve”.
Believe it or not, this was the state of affairs 20 days before submission. I had another idea in mind and had started that piece, but realized I did not have a clear view of what I wanted. So my Plan B was to work on this poppy piece.
My design inspiration came from a photo I saw in print, but I’ve been charmed by the California poppy since I arrived in California and saw big, glorious swaths of them. I thought I had a very clear idea of what I wanted to do, so it seemed doable in 20 days-or so I thought.
Nothing ever goes as planned and I ended up just a week before the due date with my background quilted, the design planned, but no actual stitching of the design. My process for this piece and the others in this series, is to create a quilted background that implies movement and wind. There is a tremendous amount of quilting done before I even begin to lay down my design.
Only a week to go and I hadn’t even laid down any of my design-yikes! At this point I had to make a decision: try to make the deadline or give it up and take a rest. I pressed forward, thinking that the toughest part was over. Hah!
I began to lay down the design. It may not be evident from the photos, but the reason the design stands so prominent is that I stitch over each line many times. It is very time consuming and a little boring.
I planned my poppy heads and the foliage, knowing that the stems would come later. I had a hard time visualizing the poppy placement so I cut outlines of the proposed poppy heads and pinned them to the surface to see if I liked their placement-very sophisticated, huh?
I practically chained myself to the machine for a week. I have never quilted so much in a week before. It was a little brutal on my body even though I was careful to stretch and maintain a balanced position. My neck was killing me but everything else was okay.
I finally gave up and bought a photography light kit. I am so glad I did! I know I can’t take truly professional photos, but frequently I need photos of my work before I can get the piece to a professional.
The light kit greatly improved the quality of my photos. Note that the photo above where I am using construction paper for my poppy placement was taken before the new lighting-there is a huge difference in quality!
I’ve got a lot more to say about the process and what I’ve learned, but I’ll save that for when I post the final piece. So for now, I’m just hoping I’ll be juried in!
Jenny, thank you so much for posting your process, and the effort it takes to meet the deadline! The photography kit is a great idea, I’m sure you will use it all the time!
Thank you for the encouragement Robin. We all have those dog gone deadlines….
Hey Jenny,
What a wonderful post, as usual! Can’t wait to see the finished quilt and how it does. How come you don’t use a heavier thread for the design? Would it look “clumsy” in comparison?
Once more, thank you for sharing!!
maggie in Arizona
Thank you Maggie. Good question about the thread-had to think about that one.
First, it’s a choice, maybe not necessarily the best or right way to do it. I find that pushing a thicker thread like say a King Tut through my quilt sandwich can feel kinda “poundy” and brutal. I love Aurifil and chose to build up the Aurifil rather than fewer passes with thicker thread. I suspect that building up a thinner thread is a bit more elegant than fewer passes with a thicker thread. But then again I never tried a thicker thread!
And, I actually never thought about using a thicker thread, giggle!
I love your work. So cheerfull and beautiful and inspiring for me. Thanks for sharing.
Love from Amsterdam
Allthough I don not share the same feelings with your hand embroidery, I do love your work! So inspiring.
Love from Amsterdam
Thank you Maartje, all the way from Amsterdam! Isn’t the internet fun that way? I signed up for your blog and love what you are doing!
Hey again, Jenny,
When I’m doing thread painting it seems like the only appropriate colors I have for the project are in the lightest possible thread. Talk about many, many passes. If I find a King Tut it’s almost magical how quickly it goes. :) I realize painting is totally different than what you’re doing. And, your way for your pieces look like it couldn’t be improved!
Maggie
Hi Maggie-oooo-thread painting?! Yes, Tut will go fast and maybe I need to think about Tut next time around. Hope you’ll post your work to Face Book-I want to see it!
You inspire me. I’m in awe of your skill and talent. I saw your quilt at Road To CA and I was thrilled! Thanks for sharing your thoughts about your process.
Oh thank you Nancy. Well if you’re inspired, find your voice and run with it! It’s so much fun when you get on a roll and start doing things that really are your own. I appreciate your kind words.
I can’t wait to see the finished piece! Love the background!
I have to add to Maggie’s comment: Aurifil makes larger threads. Just a thought!
When I thread paint, I use 40wt polyester embroidery thread, It had coverage without that “poundy” feeling!
Hi Kelly-you’re right about Aurifil. I don’t see it locally but I could always order it. I do need to think about another thread though. So funny, I just tried to use 40 wt poly and it shredded-Superior thread too! It baffled me. I think I like the matte of the cotton on this series. Thank you for the comment and thinking about me and my thread woes!
I love the quilting you have done on the background and really look forward to seeing the finished piece. And congratulations on getting it finished in time.
With you background quilting, do you mark any of the shapes or let it grow organically? Which ever, the effect is wonderful!
Hi Hilary; I actually used to mark the basic shapes on that one but I no longer do. Thank you!
Ooh, Jenny, have you done any bobbin work, or what the Bernina folk like to call “bobbin PLAY,” stitching upside down with heavy thread in the bobbin and monofilament or other thin thread in the needle? I have a couple of crazy quilting books by Barbara Randle that describe the process well. You can use all kinds of goodies in the bobbin that won’t go through the sewing machine needle, even lightweight yarns, embroidery floss, perle cotton, etc. You could also couch heavier threads from the top. I love your poppies piece, and your interesting process of quilting the background first and THEN drawing the design with heavy thread. So many fun possibilities to explore!
Hi Rebecca; Ya know I’ve played with bobbin work but it just didn’t grab me. I need to rethink it because it could make this process all a lot easier and faster. There is just something about working from the back that bugs me-it’s all going the opposite way and I can’t see what’s going on as I quilt unless I break thread. I need to play with it again though and use some of those fat threads. Thank you!