2015 SAQA Benefit Auction Donation Quilt
My current theme seems to be “Go with what you know”. After a bit of angst about what to do for this year’s donation to the Studio Art Quilt Associates Benefit Auction, I ultimately went with what I knew. I had some great ideas but they were just going to take too much time to figure out.
I went with the piece made with Kraft-Tex, the paper/fabric morph material. I enjoyed working with it and I’d like to explore other possibilities using Kraft-Tex. Yes, I forgot what I titled it but we will both find out the title when it posts in the next month on the SAQA site. I think I named it “Interlude” or something similar, as it reminds me of a time when my Mom would sometimes make lunch and set a “proper table”.
Since it was essentially a whole cloth design, the thread was the star and the color story. I was initially indecisive here too with 4 different color stories. I decided to use some hand-dyed thread I purchased at my local guild’s show over a decade ago!
The only real way to audition the threads and adjust my tension was to practice along the edges of the piece. Tension was a little difficult on the paper but I made it work. There were a few places where it just was off so I ended up double backing it with felt, as you’ll see in the following photo.
I do very simple labels. I thought I used a water-proof pen but apparently not! I am glad this happened before sending-I would have been mortified if this happened to the buyer. I replaced the label with a water-proof one, but that was no small task. Since the product is stiff, it was very difficult to hand sew another label on.
I have learned to be very mindful when applying my hanging sleeves. If it isn’t applied correctly it can dramatically affect the hang of the quilt, even if the quilt itself is perfectly blocked-ask me how I know! I am careful to apply it a little below the top so that it does not show when hung. I also put in 1/4″+ of ease to accommodate the hanging slat. This photo is closer in color to the actual piece.
You do have to be right the first time-no ripping out on this stuff as you have left holes in the “paper”! I marked the squares and circles-everything else was free-hand. I don’t like to mark!
I do love a “bumpy” border as opposed to a straight-edged border-isn’t this fun? It gives kind of a lacy vibe to the piece. I hope someone spies it at auction and treasures it! I’ll keep you posted about the Benefit Auction-it usually starts in mid-September. There are always some truly spectacular pieces!
On Friday I’ll be linking up to Nina-Marie’s Off the Wall Friday.
The little “bumpy” border is wonderful! Actually the whole quilt is wonderful.
Thanks Linda-I just love a bumpy border!
I’m always in awe at your work, this is another wonderful piece of art.
Thank you Tecla-miss seeing you!
It’s reassuring to read that you, as a professional, also have “angst” when designing and creating a quilt for auction or show – I, too, always start with fabulous ideas for just a local guild challenge then find that if I go with something I enjoy or use a technique I’ve been anxious to try, the results are much more satisfying to me and hopefully, the viewer. Remind us when the auction appears online!
Oh you have no idea-angst is a part of each quilt! Yes, it’s fun to try something new for a challenge to see whether we like it or not. I do like the Kraft-Tex but see that it is a little tricky to work with.
It does have a ladies’ luncheon “good table linen” vibe to it. Thanks for the warning about that KraftTex.
Yeah, I think it gives a friendly, clean, Saturday lunch kind of feel. I sometimes don’t realize until afterwards what was in my mind inspiring a piece and that was the case with this piece.
Your quilting is so beautiful!
Thank you Roxane. Love to quilt-I think you know the feeling!
This is stunning Jenny! Bravo!
Thank you Franki-miss you! Hope to run into you soon.
And you really promise that if I practice and practice – some day I’ll be able to produce something almost that wonderful. Ha. Nice thought. I’m sure you’re right. What do they say, live in hope.
Love your postings.
Susan
Susan it’s true! FMQ is just a skill, not a gift. Really. If you do the 21-day challenge you will be quilt ready: layer up 20+ quilt sandwiches (15″ 15″ or so), quilt on them for 20 min/day for 21 days-see what happens! Don’t judge your work as you go, don’t get discouraged, just do it! You’ll see.
It’s wonderful. I love the atmospherics of this lovely piece. Nothing wrong with calling on what you have learned and worked hard to perfect to make such a quilt.
Like that comment Betty Jo-“atmospherics”-thank you!
I’ve never heard of Kraft Tex before, so thanks for the link. You quilting, as always, is exquisite. I love the edging. I don’t like marking either, but on this paper/fabric, how do you get rid of the marking? I am assuming that you can not wet this? I hope it finds a good and loving home.
Hilary so far I only know what I read-the product is washable and will soften over time and become almost chamois like. It’s used for totes and the bottom of bags sometimes. It’s easy to mark because I can very lightly just touch the pencil to the surface for an easily seen mark and erase if I don’t like the placement. It is stiff so anything bigger than 15″ or so might be a problem unless you washed it first. It’s a pretty intriguing product and there are probably some really cool undiscovered uses for art quilters and others.
Exquisitely done, as always, Jenny. I marvel at your skill and precision.
Blush-thank you Marcia-miss seeing you!
Hi Jenny, I always read your Blog and hardly any other. It is the best and most interesting. I really like this step by step sharing of the proses. To this pieces for SAQA I say it is perfect like all your quilting, as if made with a computer program. I read all the comments saying this, but nothing critical, some thing you might learn from. Studio Art Quilt Associates appreciate , if they are actually artist, and many are not, some thing more imaginative and surprising.
I also admire your energy you bring to all you do and the stamina and strength you have. I know from personal experience and other quilters that you can run out. Learn to pace your self and be selective, I did, had to. So remember, I and all the others, we love you and you work and blog. Ann
Thank you Ann for your thoughtful comments. Yes, I have too many things going at once and wanted to create something new and fresh and innovative, but I simply did not have the time to do so. Pace myself?? What a concept! Life seems to be going very fast right now but after SAQA conference it will slow down-looking forward to that!