Monday, August 27, 2018

Blue and Light - Sister's Delight - The Design

I realized with an almost horrific reaction that I haven't made a quilt for my sister Colleen.  When she sent the quilts back to me for my solo show, it hit me like a ton of bricks.  Like my mother before me, I've been making quilts to give away as gifts, and haven't considered the equanimity of giving quilts to my relatives who also make quilts.  Shame on me!

So, I called her up as soon as I unpacked the box of borrowed quilts and apologized for never making one for her.  I asked if she wanted one, and if she did, what would she like.  She immediately knew!  She took a picture of a comforter she has on her queen-sized bed that is in shades of blue and light cream and tans.  It has paisley motifs all over it, so she said something that goes with that in the same color scheme would be great.  I'm thrilled that the serendipity of this request matches exactly the theme of my quilt guild's show theme for 2019.  Do you pay attention to serendipitous events in your life?  Makes the hair stand up on your arms and at the back of your neck.  I love it when it happens.

Here is her picture and some of my sketches for ideas:









She liked the one with the hexie background and paisley applique.  I liked it the best too, because it's more modern.

Monday, August 20, 2018

On the Hunt for sewing supplies

I'm back to sewing some clothes again.  I made a pattern for a loose carefree top based on a top I purchased recently.  I've been testing out my pattern and have made a few adjustments here and there..  Perhaps by the 3rd or 4th time I sew this top, I'll get the pattern just right.

The collar on this top is really interesting.  It looks like it's ruffled and it stands up quite nicely.  The secret is 1/4" wide flexible boning sewn between the collar and the facing.

Here's a picture of the top:




I went to a local bridal supply store and bought the only boning they had.  Way too stiff!  Then I went to a local discount fabric store and found some 1/2" flexible bonding.  I decided to cut it down the middle to give me the 1/4" wide flexible boning that I needed.  It's not quite as pliable as the original, but I think it works just fine.

It's been really fun to use my serger and quickly sew up new clothes.  This material was some of the cheap stuff I bought at the stash bazaar; when my friends ambushed me at the door with stacks of green fabric.  I think this was just the right pattern to use that fabric.  What do you think?

Monday, August 13, 2018

Shadow Selfie #1

I've been taking shadow selfies for about 4 years now.  I don't know why I like them, but I do.  Perhaps it's because I don't care if I have make up on, what I'm wearing, or how many wrinkles are on my face.  My shadow always looks good.  Since I post so many of the shadow selfies, many of my Facebook friends do it now too!  I think they are having as much fun as I am.  I've taken them at rodeos, on hikes, on bike rides, and on many of my daily walks.  I especially like the ones taken early in the morning, when my shadow is long and leggy.

Sometimes, when you're drawn to something, you really can't put your finger on the reason.  Artists get their inspirations from many sources, and I'm no exception.  Are we getting a message from the universe that we should pay attention to?  What do these pictures say about me?

Since I like to turn pictures into art quilts, I decided that a series of my shadow selfies would be really fun.  I decided to make them 12" x 12" and to try to make 10 to start with.  All of them will have black shadows and black binding.  But the rest will be whatever inspiration strikes me at the moment.

Shadow selfie #1 started when I picked one of the shadow selfies for this quilt.  There was a really great batik that I had with ombre dying in it plus some strong horizontal lines.  So with these 2 things as my inspiration, I sketched up a design that would be quick and that would convey my photo.



I traced the wedges and put them on top of the fabric, matching up some of the horizontal lines.



These were pieced, the shadow was appliqued to the background, and it was simply quilted with teal thread.
Shadow Selfie #1 by Joanne Adams Roth  March, 2018

I hope you like it!  And have fun taking shadow selfies too!

Monday, August 6, 2018

Arizona wall quilt

My sister retired from a job in Alaska and didn't want to spend one more winter freezing.  She and her husband actually both retired and headed to Arizona, where they found a nice home.  She sent me a few pictures of bare walls and asked for a quilt (or two) to help decorate her home.

Here are the bare walls and color preferences.





I used to make Native American themed quilts and thought that perhaps I could do that.  But I then started thinking about other desert motifs and how they are more prevalent in Arizona vacation homes now.  I showed my sister some of my ideas and she sent me more pictures.  We settled on a sunset scene.

The background was made using freehand cutting and sewing with some strips inserted.  My sister likes the Kokopelli motif, so I sketched this one onto steam a seam light and fused the black fabric to the background.  It was quilted and faced.



I hope you like it.