In yesterday’s blog post, I was half way through a Sets and Variables III class with Nancy Crow at the Crow Barn.
I had just been told to start over. And so I did.
Here is my new sketch. Instead of going and making smaller bits, I went bigger and blew up my motif. This was a much better decision. I think it’s going work.
I went down a blue path for a while. I can’t remember now what that was about.
Part of why I write this blog is to tell stories and entertain you. I really do hope I make you laugh at times. It is for this reason I am including these photos. They are a little bit embarrassing, but just too funny not to share. I am not even sure who took them, but if you have ever had to give a presentation at the Barn you will identify with the array of emotions I display.
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- Back Turned
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- Head Down
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- Might as Well Smile
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- Over Thinking Things
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- It’s Too Late Now–What’s On the Wall is What You’ve Got
The small blue bits on the wall became Ablation.
A large neutrals bits became Birch Woods Glimmer.
By the end of the week, I was here.
Almost from the beginning, I’ve called this quilt Fruit Salad.
It always makes me think of the bounty of August, and all the good things available to eat that time of year. It is a sister to this quilt called Berry Picking.
Over the past three years, I have taken Fruit Salad out of its box and put it up on the design wall many times.
Because I have been working on a Color Grid series, I kept thinking I needed to rigidly grid the quilt out like this.
But that never really felt right. Finally, I came to the conclusion that some quilts are not a part of a larger series. And that is OKAY.
In fact, when I once again put Fruit Salad up on the wall this winter. I decided–this quilt is done. Do it. Stitch it up.
Since starting Fruit Salad, I have decided I do not like the edges of my quits to be loose or wavy. At this point, Fruit Salad is no where near a true rectangle.
A painted canvas may have all kinds of wild gestural marks on it, but the edges are clean and firm. And that is what I want for my quilts as well. So I needed to take Fruit Salad and clean up the edges. This is never a fun task.
I had to rebuild the quilt and create cleaner lines. Some sections were gently trimmed down, while others were expanded.
To recreate the new and improved lines, I first remove the stitching. Then I cut the new line. Here I have cut the new line on the red, green, and black portion of the quilt. I then use that new line as my ruler.
I pin the line in place on top of the purple fabric.
I cut using the red, green, and black fabric as my ruler/new line.
I stitch the new line into place and repeat the process until the quilt’s outer edges are firm, strong, and clean.
Here are the remains of that work.
Next is quilting.
Two views of the backside.
Finally, Fruit Salad is finished.
And ready to be hung at the Bunnell Street Arts Center for Cut Stitch Press.
Another quilt story with a happy ending. I hope to get better pictures at the opening tonight.
PS I’m sharing this post on Nina-Marie’s Blog where you can find out what stitchers from around the world have been doing this week.
Have a wonderful time at the opening!
Thank you Sharon. Have a wonderful two weeks of study! I’m looking forward to seeing what happens.
Maria… you continue to amaze and make me smile so widely with your stories. LOVE the new FRUIT SALAD… congrats and have fun at the opening. Fingers crossed it will not be a hectic and weather focused as you last!!!
Thank Bethany! I’m glad you enjoy the stories. For me, a big part of this blog is entertainment. And if I can make people smile, I am doing it right. Thank you very much for your support and comments–they mean a lot to me.
There is so much going on here I don’t know where to begin. All that color, all that fabulous quilting! Wonderful!
Thank you Norma!
Thank you for posting Part 2, I was on tenterhooks waiting for the outcome! I love the colours in Fruit Salad, you are a master with the hues. <3 Happy Valentines Day, and enjoy your show, what a thrill.
Thank you Barb! I know my two part posts are very suspenseful. I hope you got enough sleep that night.
Love the fruit salad quilt..Happy Valentines day!
Thank you Sue! Happy Valentines Day to you too!
I love your ‘Fruit Salad’ piece! The color combinations are great! How are you doing with the feedback to start over? Do you like studying with Nancy?
Cay- I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to study with Nancy for the past four years. Under her tutelage, I have grown in directions I never even would have conceived of doing without her guidance. She is a force with very strong opinions about art, composition, and quilt making. It can be brutal when you are going in a direction she does not agree with–but her eye is so keen that almost ALL of the time she is right. And while it hurts at the time, you get over it, and chances are the critique will push you to make something beyond your imagination,and that is always worth the pain.
I love it! Reading your post is almost as good as being there! Ahhhh, good times…
I love Fruit Salad. The palette is yummy and the graphics are amazing!
Enjoy your opening!
Heather- I am glad you enjoyed the post. Part of my goal is to recreate the experience for those of us who LOVE the craziness of being one of Nancy’s students.
Yes, those who haven’t been there can’t even imagine what it is like. Tough, draining, emotional but worth every minute.
Success. All elements of composition here to prove it in Fruit Salad. Hard to choose from them all but it is one of my favorites of all.
Its one of my new favorites too. It’s helping me remember that bigger bolder lines and use of color can be quite successful. Not everything has be cut into a million pieces, although I like to do that too. Thank you Carole!
Oh what a difference those little slivers of fabric make … once they’re gone …
Isn’t that the truth.I always feel like that step is the finally sculpturing of the piece. Thank you Margaret for stopping by.
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Maria, your stories about NC are a riot!! I began my quilt journey 2.5 years ago, and I studied with NC for 2 weeks in the fall and now I’m scheduled for 3 more this year…. I can’t wait! Your stories just crack me up, I’m supposed to creating a piece for our class with Lisa, and instead I’m glued to your blog…. just laughing right out loud. You make me smile, thanks for the break.
Studying with Nancy Crow is a wild ride for sure. Maybe we are in the some of the same classes this year? That would be great to meet you.
OH, I meant to tell you how much I love your work!! Fruit Salad is a true beauty…..
Thank you!