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Jenny K Lyon

Quilting makes me skip for joy

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Frustrated!

March 26, 2015

I’m in a very frustrating place at the moment. The annual SAQA auction deadline for early deliveries is April 1st. I’m on my fourth attempt at a piece to donate. Technically we have until June 1st but if you make the early deadline there is a chance that your piece might be used in the publicity. So yeah, I’d like the opportunity to possibly have my piece publicized internationally!

And April 1st is the “received by” date so I’ve got to finish this and send it off. Oh the money I have spent on overnight delivery for various entries…..

Sawtooth star with lots of silk
Sawtooth star with lots of silk

My first attempt was this previously-pieced Sawtooth Star. It’s crazy-pieced with mostly silk or silk blends and has a lovely luster. I wanted to do something in the gold Radiance corners, but not so much that it would override the sheen of the silk.

Adding French knots and beads to the square
Adding French knots and beads to the square

I beaded and then added French knots. I do like it but I’m just not sure how to finish it. It needs more, but it must be edited and well thought out-do I have time for that?

I tried to put the hanky on this-meh!
I tried to put the hanky on this-meh!

I found a charming hanky in my stash-see further down in the post. Most hankies are 15″ so I was thrilled to find a pretty little 11″ piece. My first attempt was to put it atop this layer of purple sheers. Meh. I tried many other higher value contrast pieces but they didn’t work at all. I never even got to the quilting stage. It just seemed okay, not special.

Taped to my window to show the sheerness of the checked silk
Taped to my window to show the sheerness of the checked silk

I found this fabulous checked silk sheer in my stash too. I do have a LOT of silk…. I added the rick rack around the edge which gave it some punch. I like the start of this but I will need to get some thicker red thread to get it to show up. I tried several other colors but they kind of shouted on the piece. The red is pretty and perky. Now, what do I quilt on it?

Fun edge treatment
Fun edge treatment

I have figured out the edge treatment-this will be charming once it’s cut. I’m not happy with the scallops on the hanky part-they will probably go away.

Cute embroidered detail in the corner
Cute embroidered detail in the corner

I love this little embroidery in the corner.

 

Stitch-out on Kraft-Tex
Stitch-out on Kraft-Tex

So I moved on and unearthed some Kraft-Tex which I have never used. It’s an intriguing product-kind of a morph between paper and fabric. You can launder it and it will soften up. I’ve been wanting to try this. So how about a whole cloth using Kraft-Tex?

I did this  little stitch out to see what I thought-I like! But I realized it might not hang really well as a stand-alone piece. I found a wonderful peacock hand-dyed silk to back it with. But wait, how would I secure the edges? Stitch them down (whine)? Turn them under (double whine)? Ugh.

Kraft-Tex Misty Fused to felt for stability
Kraft-Tex Misty Fused to felt for stability

What would happen if I backed it with felted wool? No edges to treat! Ah but my wool stash is not that deep and I could not find a color I liked. I did spy a piece of really nice felt in a neutral color-great! But now how would I adhere the two?

Misty Fuse! I MF the two together and it holds beautifully. Now I have an intact sandwich to work on. But what design? I’m still working on that one.

Part of my angst is that the pieces that are donated are true works of art. I want something that I am really happy with. My previous pieces have done well and I want to do my best to help SAQA. I will have to resolve this in the next few days so come back to see which one I chose! I’ll be linking up with Nina-Marie’s Off the Wall Friday.

Filed Under: Quilts and Art Quilts

Comments

  1. Doreen says

    March 26, 2015 at 9:46 am

    I found myself totally not breathing and tense by the end of your post!!!!! Just like a great dark mystery novel!!!!! “To be continued……………………………………….”

  2. Joanna says

    March 26, 2015 at 10:44 am

    Your problem may be an overabundance of choices. Your pieced star might work if you add … something … to its middle to give it focus. It could be appliqued. made like origami, etc. Maybe use a sheer? Make it 3D? Attach it just at a few points? The checked silk does have lovely edges but again could use more going on in the center. I haven’t worked with Kraftex. Would you paint it before stitching? As to edge finishes, the easiest I know is the old envelope backing that also hides the stitching. It works best on a small piece. I’ll just envy you your silks collection as you decide.

  3. Nina-Marie Sayre says

    March 27, 2015 at 2:19 am

    Lol! This reads like one of my posts!! Like my daughter says #thestruggle. I hadn’t heard about the kraft tex. Interesting. Can’t wait to see how you finish.

  4. Mary Stori says

    March 27, 2015 at 4:38 am

    Oh I feel your frustration…..but looking at your results……it was worth the efforts!!!

  5. Judy Simmons says

    March 27, 2015 at 5:35 am

    I love silk, I love beads, I love rick rack – you’ve done a great job working with these – some lovely pieces

  6. Carol Mcdowell says

    March 27, 2015 at 6:40 am

    I feel your pain! The deadline is crimping your creativity due to the looming panic although I am speaking of how my mind works. Some people and I hope that is you, do best under pressure. If you are like me, I would just decide not to make the deadline and there is a good possibility you will relax and come up with something spectacular :-)

  7. Margaret Blank says

    March 27, 2015 at 6:46 pm

    I feel your pain! I’ve had an idea for weeks…and sketched it out once…Today, 2nd sketch – change in proportions. Will it ever see fabric? Not aiming for that deadline, though…

  8. Judy Warner says

    March 28, 2015 at 3:00 am

    Looks like you will be covered for the next few years of auctions! I love the idea of beads and French knots in the sawtooth star. I think any of your choices will be great. Better keep stitching!

  9. debby says

    April 2, 2015 at 4:47 am

    Ooh, I love the crazy patched sawtooth star! That is my favorite star, and the colors are beautiful. Plus, french knots and beading? Yes please!

  10. Jenny says

    April 7, 2015 at 8:23 pm

    Thank you for your comments-I just recently got them because my site was not letting me know you commented-sorry! I see I have a lot of company in the angst department! I’ll be posting this week about what I ended up doing. Thank you for all your suggestions.

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