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| Painting on fabric from around 1990. Could it be quilted? |
The tsunami in Japan has weighed heavily on me over the last week, and for some reason the images of the water rushing over entire villages made me think about this long, sweeping painting. My mind wandered to the marvelous creations I'd just seen at the NW Quilters Show, and I began to wonder what would happen if I tried to finish the painting like a quilt. Would the bumpiness "quilt out"?
The futon cover is made of a canvas-like material, possibly hemp. With mind wandering to Japan once more, I considered Sashiko stitching. "You're crazy," I said to myself, wondering if it really could be done. It seems the actual canvas would be easy enough to get the needle through, but what about the areas with thicker acrylic paint? And then there's the size? Where on earth could you display such a thing? Don't quilt shows have rules with size limitations?
Couldn't get it off my mind, so I went up to the attic today, pulled it out, and took some pictures. I must be completely bonkers to imagine finishing such a huge thing as a quilt when I've never actually made a quilt. At the same time, something tells me if I practice a little first, go slowly, and do a little bit at a time, I might actually be able to pull it off. I realize Sashiko is traditionally done with white thread, but I'm considering a darker color, something that'll pop without standing out as much as the fish do. I've got a large wooden quilt frame that could definitely handle the job.
So what do you think? Have I lost my mind? Or are all things possible if you dream? Please comment.
Good for you! I don't have reservations about the size (the square footage is smaller than a queen size quilt) even if it is your first project, but I have reservations about needling through canvas. I won't say you can't, but I imagine it could really wear you out - particularly your fingers. I would try needling through it before you go to the trouble of basting it. If you do try sashiko (I'm not sure of the recommended needles for sashiko), maybe a sharp embroidery needle will be hefty enough to go through the canvas and accommodate the thicker sashiko thread. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteHave you considered tying your quilt? I think it would fit in with the concept and be a lot more achievable.
ReplyDeleteBill! I find your idea moving and beautiful and wild (and therefore even more beautiful:) Still I am with Laurie when it comes to her reservations. Also I am afraid you might be scared off from trying out quilting altogether, which would be sad. How about trying your hand at quilting first, and see if improving your technique on 'normal' fabrics and batting might give you an idea of how to tackle the heavier stuff... Your painting certainly brings to mind traditional Japanese textiles. Best wishes, Una
ReplyDeleteAre you crazy? Of course, but I love the idea! I think it couldn be therapeutic too.
ReplyDeleteThe more I look at the painting, the more I too think of Japan..
ReplyDeleteYou will also have to go through batting and backing, so it's not just the canvas to think of..I'm with Laurie..do a small corner section first to see how you manage with the thickness...a stab stitch may be best.
It would be amazing..
All the best.
Paint the Sashiko stitching. Mount it on stretcher bars and hang on a large wall!
ReplyDeleteOK, you have to realise quilting is a dangerous sport. I ended up having surgery on my wrists after doing sashiko on a too tightly woven fabric with a needle a little too small for the thread I used. I might be tempted to find out what sort of needles and threads are used for hand stitching sails. And having said that, go for it (and allow for it taking much longer than you though possible (and get yourself a very comfortable thimble)<
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful piece. I hope you'll display is somehow. Doesn't need to become a quilt. That could be very hard on your hands.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it has to be a quilt. Not sure if you added a back and batting you could quilt it. A quilt has to have three layers.I like it just the way it is, bumpness and all. Could you mount it on another canvas so you don't loose the texture. Or you could make it into a smaller piece or several small pieces to be auctioned to raise funds for Japan. Just my opinion, you asked.
ReplyDeleteI love it as a three dimensional piece of textile art as is!
ReplyDeleteAs much as I like the painting, I always felt it was unfinished. The edges are raggedy and the futon cover ties are hanging off each edge. The texture is OK, but it's not purposeful or intended. Kind of like a pieced top that's a little bumpy, when the maker hopes it will "quilt out".
ReplyDeleteIf I attempted to quilt it, which I'm still not promising to do, I would use a thick, lightweight batting and some fun print fabrics on the back, pieced in three or four panels. The thick batting would allow me to play with the texture a bit more purposefully, I think, quilting down for flatter areas and leaving unquilted areas puffing out. I would probably mark the stitches beforehand with a colored pencil and possibly plastic templates as guides. I would also use thick cotton embroidery thread and the appropriate needle for the job. I might use white thread and then dye it with watercolor paint after it's been quilted, which would allow me to choose and manipulate thread color after it's quilted.
Sounds like I'm making a game plan in my mind. Scary!
I know you love quilting, Bill, but have you thought about machine quilting or longarm quilting. If you used a darker blue thread and watery pattern and a machine to do sashiko it might be better on the wrists. I wouldn't use batting, but another material for the back, so you can sew a sleeve on for hanging. I definitely think its a "hanging" quilt.
ReplyDeleteIt is an exciting project...another piece of equipment you may want is a fine awl to poke a tiny hole in those spots that the paint may have made the canvas even thicker. I've used mine when working on painted canvas for altered books.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome project. Given the size and strain of hand quilting, it is a daunting task, but reaching the end goal would be amazing. I think the idea of cutting it up and making several small pieces that hang together as one work is interesting. You could even try some different techniques as the painting unifies the whole work. Please keep us posted.
ReplyDeleteAh yes. It's gonna be one of those make-it-work projects IF I decide to go ahead and do it.
ReplyDeleteTwo things people don't always realize about me, which could lessen doubts about me quilting this piece. First, I had a top notch visual arts education including a couple years undergrad at Rhode Island School of Design. When you study at a place like RISD, there are no limitations. It's all about creative problem solving, and this type of education allows a person to pick up any medium and master it. Second, I'm a big guy, 6'4" tall, 225 lbs., and have a strong upper body and hands from years of swimming.
By the way, whoever mentioned stab stitching, that was the approach I was thinking of using. With a big, badass upholstery needle!
It seems that this would become more a "work of art" than an actual quilt. So, with that said, there are a lot of other options to finish it off including framing, covering a piece of furniture, making it into an umbrella and on and on.
ReplyDeleteOr it could be made into a screen/room divider.
ReplyDeleteHey Bill! That's a lovely painting. Strong as you are I don't think that you've used the wrist and thumb muscles as much, or in the same way, as you would quilting. I really think you could put a lot of strain on your wrist pushing an upholstery needle through canvas-type fabric and then two more layers. To make it easier you could leave out the batting. There is no need for it. I would assume that this is a display quilt. You could use large stitches like the sub continental Kantha quilts in waves and eddies to suggest the movement of the water behind those gorgeous fish. you could also use an industrial sewing machine. The type that sews those thick seams in denim jeans.
ReplyDeleteLiz suggested tying the quit. Another alternative which I think would be very interesting and would add texture and movement would be to make a knot the way you would if you were tying it but have a long thread on one side of the knot and then quilt say 40 sashiko or kantha style stitches in a wavy line and then tie again. Leave some space start at a different level and do it again randomly over the quilt. This would really give a deep sea feeling and would allow you to play with the texture of those "bubbly" areas. Anyway whatever you decide (and secretly I think you WILL quilt it now because it's gotten under your skin) I look forward to watching the journey. Good luck and keep us posted.
Voice of experience here, Bill: Soak it first to remove as much of the stiffness as you can. I have hand-stitched work like this myself. It is slow and arduous, but it works. I have even stitched the opposite problem: antique newspaper clippings covered with gel medium, that needed a very soft touch. Soaking it will soften it.
ReplyDeleteWith the bubbly areas you could add extra wadding - beading or buttons as part of tie can work really well. i can see tiny pearl beads,buttons resembling air bubbles on this quilt.
ReplyDeleteIt looks great as it is, if you can somehow get it in condition to display it (flat on a wall or dimensional). You might also consider cutting and re-piecing parts of it to get it to lie flatter. You could even INSERT other fabric into parts of it to give it a more Japanese look. I agree that it might be the beginning of an artistic statement on Japan, the oceans, the environment, etc. Thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteI Love this!! It sounds like you really do want to quilt it and it might be able to be done by thinking of this as not a delicate 3 layers of cotton and batting but as it is - a sturdy painted hunk of canvas! Maybe you could make a practice piece to lean and test the techniques first? Stab stitching is probably the best way to go.
ReplyDeleteI would look for your nearest sail makers or maritime museum, (I did my sail makers course at our National Maritime Museum) and purchase sail needles, (these are triangular in shape at the bottom - makes them go through the canvas easier) an awl and a palm protector. This is a leather "thimble" thing with a dimpled metal pad that sits on the palm of your hand and allows you to use more force with less effort.
This WILL hurt your hands, your shoulders and your back! (no matter that you are 6'4") but not so much if you take time and care of your body. Rest lots and don't expect this to be a quick project.
Love the idea of painting the threads later.
Looking forward to seeing it in future.
Cheers
Lush
Sydney Australia
Interesting! I've also considered bringing it to the tool bench, pounding holes with an awl and hammer, and "quilting" it in 1/2" stitches with thick, cotton butcher's twine. If it ever gets quilted, the process and the result would likely be an alternative to traditional needle & thread quilting, and it would need to be industrial strength. With that type of approach, I'd think a loose weave backing fabric like a soft burlap would work pretty well.
ReplyDeleteI love the size, the sweep of the fish and the raggedness of the edges and ties... let it's origin show! Leave the lumpiness and stiffness.... it works.
ReplyDeleteHang it with velcro across the top and let the sides and bottom move like ocean swells. Any stitching and thread work you'd do would be great too... however you did it.