Nellie"s Needles

Friday, February 29, 2008

"Make It Work"

As Tim Gund says, "Make it work!" Specifically, I've been working on this bottom left corner.
I've added paint to quite a few areas ... two blocks in particular. Copper metallic paint and a spiral stamp were used to add depth and definition to Patty's very yellow block pieces. Orange and green clips have been scattered across them as well.
Sheila's block was a very strong graphic of bold spirals on a black and white background. The white attracted too much attention. Silver metallic paint lowered the value to "take it back" a bit.
Paint was also added to Sheila's beautifully stitched quilting patterns within the spirals. These ornate patterns are now evident and give this block additional visual texture to make it more in character with the rest of the quilt.

Speaking of Sheila, this month we all made "floral fantasy" blocks for her. This is the one I made. Its size is ten inches square.
Parts of different kinds of silk flowers are stacked to form fantasy ones. Scrunched up yellow silk thread make up the centers. A variegated rayon thread meanders across the background. Tulle netting holds everything together along with "scribble" machine quilting with the same rayon thread as well as quilting around the flower petals.

6 comments:

arlee said...

Every time i see this spiral quilt, i fall more in love with it! SO enticing!

jenclair said...

Every new detail is perfect! Love the effect of the paint and those spiraled squares...great.

McIrish Annie said...

It never occurs to me to use paint as a way to enhance or tone down a fabric.
What type of paints do you use?

Lise said...

Nellie! You are such an inspiration for me. Thanks for sharing your work. Those spirals are great!!

Frederique said...

What a great job! I love it, so tiny stitches, and all these embellishments... gorgeous!

Teodo said...

The flowers you have done for Sheila are fantastic.
ciao ciao