Stretching the quilt backing onto the kitchen floor, then taping it, is a process in itself! But my quilt day had just begun!
Next there was placing down the batting and then pinning the quilt top to it.
I am so HOPEFUL that I will like the results… but as this is my first time trying to machine stitch a quilt, I am not sure about this!
I am linking up with Nina-Marie’s Off the Wall Friday. I need the help of these experts!
I’m playing- experimenting with collage, drawing, and dyeing on silk chiffon. It’s GREAT… though I don’t know where this is leading me…
Posted in Creative Process, Uncategorized
Tagged collage, creative process, drawing, hand dyeing, Silk Painting, sketching, textiles
I’ve started experimenting on silk chiffon. Wow- what a great fabric. Soft, strong, and it takes the dye great. I started the underdrawing with my silk dyes, dried out so the lines would stay, and also used magic sizing on the chiffon. 
Here the dyes are drying a bit- when the water evaporates almost all the way it works great for delicate lines and brushwork.
The drawing worked wonderfully on the magic-sizing prepped chiffon. 
After steam setting the drawing, I painted it as well, again with the silk dyes and magic sizing. The chiffon works great- the colors spring out vivid, and the details very sharp. 
And the transparency- it fascinates me. I love the chiffon with just the drawing, and then again with the painting effect. 
I’m linking up to Nina-Marie Sayre’s Off the Wall Friday– check it out!
Posted in Sillk Dye techniques, Uncategorized
Tagged hand dyed silk, silk chiffon, silk painting technique, textiles
Puzzling over linguistics…
I say often that silk is my media… sometimes I say I work in textiles. I have begun some works now, and want to say that my media is COSTUME.
Meaning garments that refer to fashion history and all it’s meanings- but also, a work of art, one that might portray reality or not, one that might have layers of meaning or observation like a drawing or a textile work.
There are so many artists working with clothing in this way- but how to describe it? Succinctly- as a category, the way a media is a category…
Cartridge pleating on garment
Posted in Costume as Art, Journey Series
Tagged cartridge pleating, costume, cotton cartridge pleating, Textile art
Working on the “Round Robin” project for the Asheville Modern Quilt Guild …
Connie’s artistry blows me away. So… now it is my turn to add a square. Her square is both painterly and precise. So- how can I contribute?….
I think of my visual vocabulary. My curves are predominant, as well as the improv compositions I use. That is what I go with here. 
Yet I am not liking the results. It surely does no justice to Connie’s work! My square seems too busy, not coherent enough. 
Here’s my next attempt- the curves seem more coherent, and the large negative space seems to calm it. The meeting last night filled me with inspiration- thanks to all the members for your help and creative energy!
I’m linking up to Off the Wall Friday – all those gifted artists give me my weekly inspirational fuel…
Posted in Asheville Modern Quilt Guild
Tagged Curved pieceing, Improvisational process, Quilt Guild, Quilt Suares
I’ve gotten accustomed to using a variety of techniques in my recent work, and steaming the silk between each step. I streamlined my process for Tulips, hoping to capture some spontaneity.
I created a line drawing on silk treated with Magic Sizing, then steamed it. Next I used gutta lines to block out my drawing, and added blocks of color. 
After this steaming, I’ve added details. And- I think it is done. I’ll get a final picture after I stretch it…
Let's talk silk painting! 