Quilt Retreat and an Upcoming Facing Tutorial

Last weekend I attended a quilting retreat (put on by Lora Nale) here in my hometown. About forty women descended upon the Days Inn for a three-day retreat. We had lots of food, fun, uninterrupted quilting time, and camaraderie. It was really nice to meet some new quilters and spend time with old friends. I had been busy working on projects for my Jane Dunnewold class and my post for the "And Then We Set It On Fire" blog, so (needless to say) I had nothing ready to take to retreat. I ended up frantically cutting out some "modern quilting" blocks--very simple using "modern" fabric. I had won lots of fat quarters of "modern" fabric and wasn't quite sure how I would use them, so I decided to do a very simple quilt with squares and rectangles. The quilt consists of six different blocks. I also pieced some little blocks that were already cut out and in my retreat bag. Here are samples of some of the blocks.

The "modern" blocks come from the "Fresh Lemon" blog. Be sure to check out the finished "Lemon Squares Quilt." The fabric I used for the "modern" blocks is Joel Dewberry's Deer Valley Fabric Collection from Westminster Fibers Lifestyle Products. I used scraps from my stash (and there is a lot more where that came from) for the little blocks. The "modern" blocks finish 9". The small blocks finish 4".

I mixed the fabrics I won with some Kona Ash fabric I purchased. My bedroom is gray, and I thought the quilt would make a nice bedcover for the spring (like I might ever have it finished by then).

Also, Marti Plager (http://www.martiplager.com/) was kind enough to give me a lesson on how to face a quilt (rather than bind it traditionally). I took pictures and will be posting a tutorial on two different facing methods, so be looking for that later on.

What are you working on? Has the cooler weather put you in the mood to quilt?

Innovations--A Biennial Textile Event 2011 in St. Louis

A friend and I had the opportunity to visit several of the venues associated with Innovations--A Biennial Textile Event 2011 in St. Louis. The exhibitions in conjunction with Innovations investigate the state of contemporary textile arts. Nineteen nonprofit and private arts organizations join forces to present exhibitions related to fiber art. If you have the opportunity to visit any of these exhibits, by all means go! The exhibits are located all over the city and surrounding areas. 

(Many of the galleries did not allow photographs; if photographs were allowed, I'm showing them.)

We started our "tour" with Quilt National at The Foundry in St. Charles, MO. The Quilt National exhibit was fabulous; I thoroughly enjoyed it. The thing that made the biggest impression on me was the number of pieces that were hand quilted or used hand stitching as a part of the design. We actually counted; and of the pieces that were there, a quarter of them had hand stitching. I LOVE hand work, so I REALLY enjoyed this.

We spent one day in St. Louis where we visited several galleries including the Duane Reed Gallery, the Sheldon Art Galleries, the Craft Alliance Delmar Gallery, Art Saint Louis, the Craft Alliance/Grand Center, and The Gallery at the Regional Arts Commission. Each had something unique to offer. 

Art Saint Louis has an exhibit called Fiber Focus 2011 that will be available for viewing through October 13, 2011. It features the work of 42 contemporary fiber artists representing eight Midwestern regional states. This exhibit is well worth a visit.

The Craft Alliance/Grand Center only had one piece of fiber art. The piece, by Guerra De La Paz, is called Follow the Leader. It is made up of discarded clothing piled on top of what looks like legs with various shoes/boots. It was very interesting to see this exhibit. We were told the piece is a political commentary on waste and excess.

The exhibit at The Gallery at the Regional Arts Commission was much smaller than many of the exhibits but had several pieces I really liked. Jo Stealey had pieces in the gallery that were made of silk and processed leaves. They were my favorites. If you click on her name (which will take you to her site) and go to her "Nature's Mantle" section, you can see some of the pieces that were in this show. The exhibit at The Gallery is called Textile Variations/New Directions and will be available for viewing until November 6, 20ll.

The Craft Alliance Delmar Loop didn't have the most extensive exhibit, but their gift shop was VERY nice. (I found several things I thought I "needed." I ended up with a pair of earrings.) Nnenna Okore's exhibit, "Shokolo," relies on the use of flotsam or discarded objects, which are transformed into intricate sculpture and installations through repetitive and labor-intensive techniques. Her processes include weaving, sewing, rolling, twisting, and dyeing. Jim Hay's exhibit is called Angels, People, and SMOKE. His quilts are made from Japanese kimono cloth and cloth he has gathered from surrounding countries. Both exhibits are available through October 23, 2011.

The Duane Reed Gallery hosts an exhibit called Doll Sense. All of the pieces are woven. The exhibit, though, that I personally LOVED there was Lanny Bergner's exhibit called Nature's Matrix. Bergner works with mesh (some stainless steel and bronze) along with wire, glass frit, recycled ground plastic, paper, and silicone to create organic sculptural constructions. The pieces are three dimensional and very unique and innovative. Check out his website by clicking on his name. You can see some of the pieces from the exhibit in his gallery there. If I could afford a piece, I would have one! The exhibits there are available through October 15, 2011.

I was allowed to take some pictures at the Sheldon Art Gallery. Ties That Bind:  Art Quilts by Members of the Fiber Artists Coalition is available through December 3, 2011. This exhibition presents a selection of quilted works by members of the Fiber Artists Coalition, in conjunction with the citywide biennial Innovations in Textiles celebration, now in its 9th year. Here is just a small view of what is available to you at the Sheldon.

Shelley Brucar's piece, Stormy, is made of hand-dyed and commercial cottons.

"She #6" is made by Pat Bishop.

"Michigamee" is made by Maggie Weiss. It is made of hand-dyed cotton and silks and was collaged and machine quilted with organza batting. Maggie says, "Creating the illusion of three dimensions on a two-dimensonal surface is a continually captivating process, whether using dyes, paints or fabrics." I love the look of light on the water in this piece.

The Sheldon also has a really nice theater that houses various musical events. We got to take a look at that facility, and I found out that it has gorgeous stained-glass windows.

These are some of the large windows.

These are a couple of the small windows. I loved the colors and design.

All in all, it was a great visit to St. Louis. If you love fiber art, you still have a little time to make the trip. Get going!

Check It Out

Head on over to my post on "And Then We Set It On Fire" to see my latest experiment into surface design--using "Fugitive Media." While you are there, check out the beautiful work the other members of the blog have done too.

Join us this month when we "set things on fire" using heat to alter fabric and stitch.

Even the Entrace to the Chihuly Exhibit Was Spectacular

I realize my posts on Chihuly have nothing to do with fiber art, but... I have been so inspired by his work that I may have to incorporate some of the colors, shapes, shadows into my work. How about you?

Everything about Chihuly's "Through the Looking Glass" exhibit at the Boston Museum of Fine Art was top notch--even the entrance. Outside, tall spikes of orange/yellow glass among the grass indicated great things to come.

The first glimpse of the actual exhibit was this wall.

The people in the picture give you an idea of how large the pieces actually are. Here are a few closer pictures of the pieces mounted on the wall. The shadows cast beautiful images.

There were also pieces on the floor.

I love these "hot" colors. If you ever get a chance to check out a Chihuly exhibit, by all means do so!

New Quilt Shop in Indy--Crimson Tate

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to visit a new quilt shop on Massachusetts Avenue in Indianapolis called Crimson Tate. The owner, Heather Givans, is a young, enthusiastic "modern" quilter. I have asked her to answer a few questions about "modern quilting." I'll include the questions and answers at the bottom of this post. Heather sent me a bit of information about the shop via her blog. Here are some of the pictures I took while I visited. (Oh, I should tell you, too, that the shop is located between a chocolate shop and a cupcake shop! What could be better...fabric, chocolate, and cupcakes!)

This is Heather (the proprietor). The fabrics in front of her are beautiful wax blocked printed textiles from "the shores of Africa's West Coast." (Of course, I had to buy some of them!) She says, "Beyond being inspirational in color and aesthetic, these textiles are being put to good use. 10% of the sales of these fabrics will benefit a local Indianapolis not-for-profit, JabuAfrica." Read more about that here--http://crimsontatemodernquilter.wordpress.com/2011/09/12/crimson-tate-jabuafrica/.

Little vignettes are scattered around the shop displaying fabrics, books, patterns, and collectibles...

The shop carries several contemporary fabric choices and (according to Heather) has more fabric coming in all the time. Notions, patterns, and classes are also available.

The shop is holding a grand opening on Friday, October 7, beginning at 2:00 p.m. You can find out more about the shop at http://www.crimsontate.com/home.html. You will also find links to Heather's Etsy shop, blog, and the Crimson Tate Facebook page on the site.

On my trip to visit my son in Arkansas, I stopped by two quilt shops (one in Missouri and one in Arkansas); both had closed. I am saddened by the loss of these quilt shops (and many others); but for them to stay in business, we must support them. In this time when many local quilt shops are closing, it is refreshing to have a new shop open. Good luck Crimson Tate!

I asked Heather, "As a "modern quilt" shop owner, what is your definition of a "modern quilter," and what sets your "modern quilt" shop apart from other (maybe more traditional) quilt shops?" 

Heather answered with the following... 

"I'd love to address this issue. 

In the 1960s, the art world shifted from modern to post modern. And now, a constant debate of whether are we still living in the post modern era or whether we have moved into a new movement that we can't yet identify exists.

My opinion is that in quilting, in particular, pattern and fabric design, has taken a turn toward the highly designed. We have transitioned. In more modern fabric, the textile itself is like a work of art. There is an intricacy (or albeit simplicity) to the piece of cloth that in its elements of art work beautifully together. It is a complex mix of design, color, scale, and repeat. This isn't to say that you don't find intricacy in a beautiful piece of French toile from the 16th century or a civil war reproduction fabric rendered in two tones. But what you do find across the board in modern fabric is a bold, sophisticated pattern that is influenced by contemporary design. That boldness can also be found in the 100s of shades of solids that urge unconventional quilt piecing and top stitching. Quilt patterns tend to lend themselves to showcase vignettes of these textiles rather than complex pieces that tell a story. I completely appreciate the double wedding ring or grandmother's garden as a work of art. No doubt, there is an amazing artistry in those works. So whether you consider the time in which we are living a new, more modern era in quilting, or you consider it a natural progression and rehashing of what has already been done, it doesn't matter. The truth is that the amount of sophisticated fabric available to us is rich and abundant and I want to see it all and be overwhelmed in its opulence."

What is your "take" on "modern quilting?" What do you think? Comments are much appreciated. 

One Top Finished--Lots More to Go!

I have been frantically working to "finish" some pieces to take to the upcoming meeting of a critique group with Jane Dunnewold. One of the pieces I have been working to "complete" is this black and white "Zentangle" one.

This is the fabric version using French knots, fusible applique, yo yos, embroidery, paper piecing, and beading. Take a closer look by clicking on the picture. I think you can click it again to get an even closer look.

This is the paper pattern I drew up to start this project (drawn with black markers). I think it is a pretty good match.

Check out the Zentangles site here--http://zentangle.com/index.php. I think Zentangles are beautiful, and I find them SO relaxing to do.