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Sunday, November 18, 2007

Nov. 12 x 12 Grandfather's Stash


For over a year I've been taking photographs of color and texture in nature with the idea of printing them on fabric to use in quilts. I have done photo transfers in quilts where the photo is an image of someone or something, but in this case I simply wanted them to be used as color and texture, not figurative. For my November 12 x 12 Challenge quilt I decided to use autumn colors and textures in a small hexagon quilt similar to vintage Australian quilts I've seen photos of and admired. Native Americans used the name Grandfather for the Creator, so I named this quilt "Grandfather's Stash".

The photos were printed onto prepared June Taylor fabric sheets, cut into small hexagons and fused onto the background fabric with Steam a Seam 2. The quilt was sandwiched with backing fabric and cotton batting in pillowcase style. A zig zag stitch around the hexagons with invisible thread was done as the machine quilting. I then printed the label and a fragment of a favorite e.e cummings poem on June Talor Quick Fuse and fused them on the back along with some leftover hexagons from the quilt.


This exercise has really sensitized me to the amazing color and texture around me and I am seeing my world in a much richer way. I'm beginning to plan a series of larger seasonal quilts, using my nature photos as the fabric color and pattern, for the coming year. These will probably be sewn rather than fused, because the combo of printed photos on fabric and the fusible material make the fabric so stiff and difficult to handle and stitch.


The 12 x 12 Challenge quilts can be seen at the Quilt Studio blog.

9 comments:

Barbara C said...

This is beautiful Fran. It reminds me of tree rings. I love the fact that you're using your photos like fabric: fragmenting them and then putting them back together.

It's always exciting to see what you're working on. What a treat!

Micki said...

Great use of your photos. I agree with Barbara about it putting you in mind of tree rings. Wonderful!

allie aller said...

Superlative!!! A breakthrough piece for sure!!!!
Grandfather has got to be so proud and pleased with his delightful granddaughter Fran...

I absolutely love the eecummings poem, too....

DebbyMc said...

Fantastic, Fran. What a great progression from your other 12x12s into this one. Wonderful job!

McIrish Annie said...

It really came out beautiful! and you are still into the hexs!!

Debra Dixon said...

Well, how fabulous is this discovery? Printing your own fabric could keep you out of LQSs forever! and you are the designer from the very get-go. Super! I certainly hope you do explore this idea further.

Jo Raines said...

Beautiful! I love incorporating photos into quilting.

Angie said...

What an awesome piece of art you've created! I do just LOVE it!! That is such a unique idea...to take scenery photos, transfer them to fabric, and do the hexagon quilt. Thank you so much for sharing this treasure with us! Happy Thanksgiving!

Deb Geyer said...

That is awesome! I love what you have done with the textures.

Kudos to you for keeping up with the 12x12 challenge!

And I pray the best for your father and your family!