Yoga Banner Commission

Recently after my yoga class, my delightful instructor Amy was talking with another student about creating a banner for her yoga business using her embroidery machine. My embroiderer friend wasn't sure she could create something as large as Amy had in mind. I overheard their conversation and suggested I could make a fabric banner. Embroiderer friend graciously agreed that my style and techniques fits the project perfectly. 

So a commission began. Amy came to my studio with her logos and fonts and colors and inspiration! She really wanted to re-use an old banner as the foundation. She's all about recycling and I was happy to oblige.

On some of her flyers, there is a faint paisley pattern in the background. Guess what I purchased in Houston?! A paisley hand carved wooded stamp! Here are some of my supplies and reference materials.

Here is the subtle paisley background!

I started by figuring the proper size for this warrior two figure, tracing the pattern and cutting her out.

She's very flexible.

Next I chose a light, medium and dark blue fabric for the abstract swirly, petals that suggest energy and calm.

Looking at the blue design from Amy's logo, I cut several petals.

I played around with the arrangement of the blue pieces quilt a bit. I settled on the final arrangement and fused it down. Amy loves that this energy seems to be radiating from the figure's core.

Next I sized, traced and cut a freezer paper stencil of the name of Amy's business.

And painted the stencil. Here I've pulled away the stencil a bit and you can see the letters painted on the fabric.

Next I added lots of quilting through the top layer and an additional layer of felt to give it body and dimension. I even left the thread tails long so I could carefully bury each one. (I don't usually do this with my work, but this project called for it.)

I love the way this stitching over the figure turned out. It follows the lines of the blue petal shapes. Plus a few swirls!

Here's the finished piece!

Here's beautiful Amy with her new banner. She was thrilled! I was thrilled.