Monday, April 23, 2012

Small Wonders Revisited

My third quilt: "Julie Silber" named in honor of the birthday girl!
I think I'm starting to get the hang of this quilting thing. This quilt is my third completed quilt, and I was having trouble deciding what to call it. When I found out it was Julie Silber's birthday, I thought, "why not name it after Julie?"

Naming quilts after admired ones is something Andrea Balosky did in her unbelievable series of doll size quilts in the original "Small Wonders" exhibit and catalog. She made more than 100 quilts over a five year period, and named each one. There is now a "Small Wonders" challenge that's part of the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, and while it isn't officially connected, I think it was really inspired by Andrea's Small Wonders.

I sent a picture of this quilt to Andrea, who now lives in the Himalayas and goes by the name Nyima Lhamo. She was very encouraging, and suggested that quilters were probably shocked and surprised by my quick progress. We laughed about that, mostly because we're a lot alike. When we get ideas, watch out!

Making this quilt was a surprisingly relaxing experience. Even my old Featherweight was giving me fewer problems than usual. I like using orange and blue together. It's an eye-popping color combination, and although I didn't originally set out to make a "Julie Silber" quilt, per se, when I think of eye-popping quilts she comes immediately to mind.

So, it seems I may be starting a "Small Wonders" series of my own. Many of Andrea's quilts were named after people who never knew a quilt was being made and named after them, but I think I'll take a slightly different approach and include the step of letting the person know whenever possible. Julie was very gracious, and thanked me. I enjoy that she knows about the quilt. :)

12 comments:

  1. yay! I'm so excited that you've found a bit of a niche. Look out quilting world!

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  2. Some day I'l have to make a Lori DeJarnatt quilt!! :)

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  3. The colors remind me of my Moab landscape quilts (redrocks and blue skies) and my cheddar and blue Mennonite basket quilt. Kudos.

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    1. I don't think I've seen your Moab landscape quilts, but I'd love to see. There's a woman in my guild who does lovely landscapes with fusible applique on black, stitched down with raw edges as part of the design. In between the blocks of color are thin lines of black from the fabric underneath. Marjorie Post is her name, and I've included her work in my blog in the past. Apparently, she designs fabrics, too!

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  4. There will be no stopping you now.

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  5. I love the idea of series of 'small wonders' quilts. This one is fabulous!

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  6. Your quilts are beautiful works of art. I really like the quilting you did on this one. It really gives the piece a wonderful textural feeling.

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  7. I've been to a lot of quilt shows over the last few years, and have seen this style of quilting and admired it. Perfect for me because it's easy to do with small quilts on a Featherweight. Jean Wells Keenan of Sisters, Oregon has really perfected the organic, free-motion linear quilting. I admit wanting to emulate that, and why not try to emulate the best?

    So, I may just have to go along with Sujata and do a series of the Small Wonders. Of course, Andrea hand-quilted all of hers, an accomplishment I'd never be able to match.

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    1. You never know what inspires us... Anytime I finish a quilt I think of machine quilting it but then end up putting my hand stitches on them. I would love to see Andrea's quilts from up close. They look like little gems! And your machine quilting adds so much texture and movement. There is no wrong way.
      Just finished another one of AAQI. Will post later.

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  8. Welcome... you have just crossed over the bridge to being a quilter in addition to a collector!! You'll find you are far from alone as a person who obsessively makes quilts from stitch one.. there are legions of us.. wink!! enjoy the fun.. obsessive fun.. may it continue on for a lifetime!

    Glad to have you join the party!

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    1. Thank you, Pat! The best part is knowing I never really have to worry about making a great quilt. If anyone ever wants to see a great quilt, all I have to do is pull out one of the ones I've collected. So, no pressure to be good at it, or win ribbons, or anything like that. Free to just be an artist. What could be better?

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  9. Billʻs bold, assured first steps into quiltmaking.
    More like sonic booms.
    Quilt world will never be the same.
    Neither will Bill.
    And weʻl love him all the more!

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