Here, at almost the beginning of a new year, I am in the almost very beginning of a new quilt project.
It’s not the very, very, very beginning.
That happened several months ago, when I began deciding what I want the focus of my work to be for the next year. I know I want to take a deeper dive into two themes I have explored before: 1.homes, and our connection to them, and 2. trees as patterns.
(It’s possible there will be some overlap. But that’s not my plan so far. The Homes-Connections works are more about memory and story, even though a tree or two may appear. The Trees works are about pattern and surface design.)
So here I am beginning the first new work in the Homes-Connections series. . . How do you like it so far?
Isn’t it beautiful?
Maybe only to me, because this is where I can begin ENVISIONING. From my photoshop sketch and mockup (part of it is shown in the header for this post) I am now beginning to actually touch the materials and to get a sense of scale. The simple act of cutting out lengths of fabric starts my ability to see the finished work.
Now for PREPPING.
My studio workhorse fabric is plain unbleached cotton muslin. That’s what I will use for the substrate of this work. Generally, I like to stiffen up the fabric a bit. I don’t want to use a heavier fabric like canvas; I want muslin. But with a little more heft and stability.
I use a fairly light wash of water plus latex acrylic exterior house primer as my gesso. The coverage is not too critical yet. I just dip my big brush in the water container, then in the can of paint, and back and forth as I get a light coat of paint over the fabric.
I will construct this work in three sections. Here they are hanging out to dry.
I will not be a multi-panel work in its final presentation.. Overall, my plan is to make the piece about 50”H x 60”W. That’s a large work for me, and definitely too big to do the quilting all in one section.
It may seem strange that I found even these blank panels on my fence inspiring. But I did. It was my first glance at what the finished size will be. This will be a complex composition, and I just couldn’t envision it small.
After I finished photographing the panels, I sewed them together to make one big piece. I will keep the panels sewn together through the sketching of the composition and through some of the collaging. Then I’ll rip out the seams to do my backing and quilting. Then I will sew them back together at the end.
I look forward to sharing more of my thoughts and process and the two series I am planning for 2025.
And, since, this is the last post before the end of 2024, I just want to extend my sincere thanks to those who follow along, and those who take time to write with a question or a word of encouragement. It makes me feel connected to a community. I am very grateful.
For all the artmakers: Happy creating
For all the art lovers: Happy appreciating
Thank you for reading. I always enjoy questions and comments.
--Bobbi
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