That's the second trip to the fabric store for this quilt. First confession: I don't have much fabric. Other quilters have fabric collections spilling out of their shelves, closets and bins. That's great. I just haven't gone about it that way. In fact, this is it.
Though I am supposed to be talking about the process of the aviation quilt, I think it's notable to say that my process doesn't involve a huge stash. I think about what I want and what I need, then I go buy it. I'm not sure this is most efficient, creative, or open-minded way to create. But, it's how I do it. For now.
So I chose this marbled navy blue. I had always intended to stamp circles over the whole background. So I tested out a few paint colors.
I also tested out paint colors for the stenciled map that will be painted on the quilt. I think I need an even darker green. (So I'll have to go buy some.) I think that's Greenland that I used as my sample stencil.
Second confession: I've been using acrylic felt as batting because I love stitching through it for hand embroidery. But... it's really not good for large quilts. It just doesn't fold or roll well. And I'm a bit unsure about it's longevity. I really don't know what to do about that. I've gone back to regular batting for this work, but I'm worried it's going to beard when I start stitching. Grumble. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
Next I decided to add some free motion quilting lines echoing the circles. I pin basted the background to the quilt canvas. I didn't fuse it because I want to preserve the texture I'll get with the quilting. I'm auditioning thread here. I'm considering the color of the background fabric, the colors in the plane and the paint colors.
Then I did a bunch of quilting, but I didn't quite finish the whole top.
Next Steps:
Finish quilting background.
Cut out windows, propellers and other detail pieces.
Stencil map.
6 comments:
I love what you are doing. The circles are great and so you. I was a little afraid that an airplane quilt was just not going look like a Deborah quilt. I should have known better!
I like Coates and Clark thread too. I have tried some of the fancy expensive threads and can't see a difference in the end result or feel a difference in the process. C&C works fine for me.
Have you tried wool felt for batting? I wonder if it would give you the same result as acrylic? I'm enjoying the process. Thank you for taking the time to share!
I'm loving your process notes! So interesting to see a quilt unfold in steps. Two questions: Are you then quilting first and then adding the airplane on top, that's very interesting! Second, how far away is the quilt store? How many miles, it would be wonderful to live that close to the quilt store, or maybe not good for my budget.
Thanks so much for sharing your steps... I enjoy seeing how things are created, I always learn something.
Atta girl for riding to the quilt store and library. I wish I could say I've been doing the same, but I hate the ride or walk back from anywhere -- all uphill.
I've not had issues with bearding and regular batting. I like a low loft cotton like Quilter's Dream.
I like your method of buying what you need when you need it. I'd like to work like that, but I think I've become accustomed to figuring out what I want as I work and wouldn't do well breaking my "zone" to get more fabrics. Does my stash count as big?
Thanks for sharing your process Deborah. I like wool felt for batting, no bearding and it stays where it should.
Post a Comment