Torah mantel #1

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.

Patterns with kippahs

Arranging shapes (lots of fun):

Drawings:

Reality – things change quite a bit when the design gets sewn together:

End of day shot:

Vivid colors

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.

Bethel piecework

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.

String piecing Beth El materials

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 Beth El kippahs

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.

Cleansing the pallete

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.

On to Michaela’s quilt

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.

Whitney’s quilt completed

Whitney’s Quilt – Logos

Big challenge working with so many words and logos. I like to abstract the words as much as possible. This quilt is turning out more colorful than expected.