Friday, October 29, 2010

Mining a source of inspiration to create a new quilt: Blogger's Quilt Festival Fall 2010

Welcome to the Blogger's Quilt Festival, Fall 2010.  Because I had such good response to my spring post for the Blogger's Quilt Festival, I've decided to follow a similar plan of updating my original post as I construct a new piece during the fall festival. My inspiration again comes from Wonderland's Alice.  This time, rather than the images of John Tenniel, it comes from the words of Lewis Carroll.

The quote appears in the first chapter of Through the Looking Glass and comes from the Red King.  I love the concept of the pencil being uncontrollable, having a will of its own.  I have some vague mental images rolling around in my head involving mark-making on fabric with different size pens combined with lots of black, white, and grey fabrics with graphic designs. Like many quilters, I fight against the urge to "go literal" with an image. I don't want to make a quilt that features the image of a giant pencil ! ( Elizabeth Barton has a great post about this, by the way.  You can check it out here.)  My imaginings center much more on the writings of this pencil Lewis Carroll talks about.  What do "all manner of things that I don't intend"  actually look like? Here's some of the fabric with graphic images.

The fabrics with pencil and pen designs will probably show up on the back or in the binding, but who knows?



Here's a look at the first constructions using some new millennium fabric.



This piece will be improvisationally pieced on an intuitive basis and we will see where it leads over the days of the festival.  Thanks for reading and I hope you will check back as I update this post.

Update: Friday, 29 October 9:40PM
I made a trip to Hobby Lobby today for more marking tools and stencils.

This is the beginning of a white on black letter.

Here it is on the background fabric.  As the components start to appear, I am getting a clearer idea of what the whole might look like.

Update: Saturday, 30 October 12:45PM

This is not a composition, but rather just some of the elements grouped together for a picture.  I'm really pleased with the look of things so far.  Back to Safety Pin Studio!

Update: Saturday, 30 October 4:00PM

I've decided to do all the letters in the alphabet but in different fonts and cases.  Here's my "i" unit that I printed with typewriter font rubber stamps. The back of the fabric is stabilized with freezer paper that I iron on and then pull off once it's stamped.

Here are the units so far.  There's going to be another repeated letter unit for the "e."


Update: Sunday, 31 October 7:45AM

Good Halloween morning to all of you festival visitors.  Here are my next two "repeater" elements.  The wonderful black fabric that the "e's" are on was designed and made by Laura Wasilowski.  I've been hoarding it for years and now I'm thrilled to use it in this quilt.

Now that the composition is coming together, the shapes of the various elements is being dictated by where I need to fill in an open space.  I like this kind of creative problem-solving.  Today shouldn't be as interrupted as Saturday was, and I'm hoping to get close to finishing the front.  More later.  Now, it's back to the studio.

Update: Sunday, 31 October 9:00AM
I'm constantly moving the elements around and now that I see this photo, I can see another move I want to make.  Back I go to Safety Pin Studio.

Update: Sunday, 31 October 1:40PM


Nothing is sewn together yet, but I think this composition will work. There's more Laura Wasilowski fabric in the "y" repeater element.  I'm thinking a grey first border and then some of the white on black fabric with cursive writing all over it for the second border.    I used the black on cream fabric with print letters to fill in the spaces between elements. 


I'm taking a little lunch break and then back to work.

Update: Sunday 31 October 8:30PM


Here's the top sewn together with a grey border.  One border is going to be enough, I think.  

The border fabric is by Debra Lunn and Michael Mrowka for Robert Kaufman. It's an oldie from my stash.  I will use the white on black cursive writing fabric for bias binding.  Quilted Librarian is out for tonight.

Update: Tuesday, 2 November 8:30PM

This is the beginning of the title block.  I'm using my typewriter font rubber stamps on fabric that's been stabilized with freezer paper on the back.


There's nearly enough pencil fabric for the back.  The black on white cursive writing fabric may work around the edges.

37 comments:

Sandra said...

Wow, this is too fun, but you are a glutton for punishment. Can't wait to see what you create. Stop by to see my black/white/pink quilt (right up your alley) and also my antique schoolhouse quilt.

Quilted Librarian said...

Hi Sandra,
Actually, I've discovered that a deadline is a good thing for my creativity! Your pink, black, and white quilt is fabulous. I love that color combination. The school house antique quilt reminds me of my red and blue one here in my office. It's such a strong block.
Enjoy the festival.
Kind regards,
Dana

Angela said...

it's already inspirational! I've been dying to make a number of quilts inspired by Alice as well. I'll be interested to see what you do!

Quilted Librarian said...

Thanks, Angela. What a gold mine the Alice books are as inspiration--rich and witty words and fantastically unique images. If you follow the link to the spring festival post, you can see my other Alice-inspired quilt called "Curiouser and curiouser."
all the best,
Dana

Carol said...

I'm looking forward to reading your thought process and seeing how the quilt turns out :)

Quilted Librarian said...

Thanks for visiting, Carol. I'm a metacognition woman--I love thinking about thinking!
All the best,
Dana

Allie said...

This is very intriguing! I love what you've done so far.

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Such a fun time following along with you Dana! You are so creative.

Anonymous said...

This is a cool idea - hope you get good response!

Victoria Paige @ Boutique Uniquely said...

What a unique and creative idea. I especially love the white fabric with all the random letters.

I can't wait to see how this turns out!

Quilted Librarian said...

Thanks for your visit, Victoria. I'm having a good time creating the elements and hope the whole composition is satisfactory.

Hello Kit and thank you. Most quilters seem to like watching the process as well as looking at the finished product.

Mary, you are so sweet to say that, my friend! Aren't these festivals fun? I think the first one was when we found each other's blogs.

Thanks, Allie. I hope you will check back later in the week to see what's coming together.
All the best,
Dana

Karen said...

Hi Dana. This is fascinating. I am keen to see what happens next! A bit like listening to serial reading in the library.Never get tired of Alice!

Quilted Librarian said...

Hello Karen,
I really like your analogy to serial reading! I've had to leave the house several times today for little errands and during those times, ideas have come to me, making me anxious to get back to the studio to try them out. It's been a very enjoyable processing Saturday.
All the best,
Dana

The Quilt Ladies said...

WOW, Cool. and your pic's are wonderful. Thanks, we really need to do this sharing more.

Quilted Librarian said...

Hi Beth,
You are absolutely right about sharing. Seeing all this creativity from other quilters all over the world is the best part of the festival for me. Thanks for your visit.
All the best,
Dana

Katie said...

This is a great idea and a great quilt. It's like I'm right there with you, watching you create.

Kathy said...

What an interesting approach to your post about the creating of your quilt in real time! It certainly is a unique idea. I'm glad you decided to try it again.

the momma said...

love it!! and it goes so nicely with your blog title :-)

Quilted Librarian said...

hey Katie,
I'm so happy that you enjoyed my post. Thanks for visiting.

Thank you, Kathy. Today was very productive. Things will slow down once school starts again tomorrow.
all the best,
Dana

Melinda said...

So neat! I have yet to be inspired by anything other than fabric...I long for your creativity!

Quilted Librarian said...

Thank you so much, Melinda!
All the best,
Dana

Philippa said...

This is a very interesting way to work on a quilt. Great reading about your process and to be reminded about the wonderful writing (and quilts) of Elizabeth Barton. I'm very pleased to have found your blog - I'll be back.

Linda said...

I am enjoying how you are sharing the process behind your quilt. So far the quilt looks great.

Quilted Librarian said...

Hello, Philippa,
I'm so pleased that you found your way to my blog. I was lucky enough to be in a Nancy Crow class with Elizabeth Barton many years ago. She is not only talented, but great fun to be around.

Linda, thanks so much for your visit.
All the best,
Dana

Anonymous said...

Very cool concept! Can't wait to see it finished.

Quilted Librarian said...

Thanks for your visit.
All the best,
Dana

Anonymous said...

I've never seen a quilt like it... but it inspires me & I want to make my own!

~ Meagan

Quilted Librarian said...

Hi Meagan,
I'm glad you were inspired. Thanks for your visit.
All the best,
Dana

Dolores said...

OMG Dana, I absolutely love this quilt. You did it so quickly and I am so glad you let us in on your process. Wow, that's all I can say. Deadlines do have a way of forcing out the creativity at times.

Quilted Librarian said...

Hello, Dolores,
Thank you so much for your lovely comments. It is definitely good for me to work fast so that I don't over think things. I'm very pleased with the development of this quilt.
Kind regards,
Dana

Nima said...

wow..amazing piece of work

Deepa said...

Goodness me!!Iam sitting here wide eyed and dazed!!! Quiltmaking is so much fun and creatively satisfiying,right?

Quilted Librarian said...

Thank you, Nima.

Hello, Deepa,
It's the best fun there is in my book!

All the best,
Dana

Carol said...

Well I finally got back to see you finished piece. Love the concept and the layout.

Quilted Librarian said...

Thanks, Carol. I'm still pondering how to quilt it and that will wait until after the holidays.
Warm regards,
Dana

Eileen said...

great quilt and wonderful story to go with it. thanks for sharing and have a great day

Quilted Librarian said...

Thank you, Eileen, I appreciate your visit.
all the best,
Dana