I have a new blog daintytime.net. It’s a new wave feminist, craft art blog devoted to exploring craft as a life practice. Inspiration, techniques, DIY, how-to, craft-a-longs, modern quilts, improvisational process.
I won’t be posting on this blog any longer but please continue to follow my studio process on daintytime.net.
The first two front panels were originally one full mantel, but it took so long that the project was going over budget. I decided to cut the one into two and add a simpler pattern to either side that will wrap around the back.
When made into a three dimensional object only a narrow section of the design will be visible most of the time.
This made everything else go much faster, because there is less surface to design. Four out of five front panels are pieced. One more to go, then I’ll add the sides.
I like the way it’s coming out but I’m surprised the piecework is going so slowly. Only about a third of the composition will be visible when it wraps around the Torah.
Arranging shapes (lots of fun):
Drawings:
Reality – things change quite a bit when the design gets sewn together:
End of day shot:
I am pleased with the vivid colors so far. The kippahs are so bright. My goal is to bring out as much contrast and vividness as possible by by juxtaposing high contrast clashing colors. As the designs for the mantels develop I will ground the colors with neutrals, black, white, creams, navy and deep plum.
Many hours spent cutting and piecing 1/2″ to 1″ strips from clothing donated by congregation. Also mixing prints with solid silk shantung that was purchased for the project. Some how I will mix these sheets of striped fabric with the kippahs.
Strips are cut irregularly without a ruler from Beth El clothing and silk shantung purchased for the project, 1″ to 1/2″ wide. I’m making sheets of fabric. Some are all solids, some alternate light prints with solids, some alternate prints and solids, all prints, etc. These strip pieced fabrics will all get cut up and remixed later on.
Inspired by the extra kippahs sent by members of Beth El synagogue. This is exactly what I needed to define the design of the Torah mantels. When taken apart at the seams they are small curved triangles. Working on sketches.
Color Study: Red Wedges, October 2009
Taking a break from the passage quilts and worked on a color study made from hand dyed fabrics. Interested in wedge shaped string piecing. This piece is as wide as I am tall about 5’8″. It’s for sale.
Which direction to hang it? I think it looks like a flowing fan or a growth of lichen when horizontal and a internal organ when vertical.
Detail is more accurate to true color.
After Whitney’s quilt was completed it was time for Michaela’s. They shared many of the same pieces of clothing from several family members but they also each contain distinct clothing unique to Michaela or Whitney.
