nothing much happened after the velvet skirt... except I wore it very happily.
I've missed several "sewing dates" and felt generally uninspired, until I picked up a little pack of reverse-applique elements for the Absence/Fertility work I designed at Symposium. Just the easy re-start I needed. They're done, and I'm ready to make 6 more, and then assemble the whole work.
Also basted the Whirling Squares quilt and will begin to quilt it this weekend.
And, most exciting of all, I've started the "Pharmaceutical Comforters" using felt and pill cards. That concept has been a long time in the baking.
It's all about giving it time, and not giving up on it :-)
What to do when you're burned out...
...Chill out! Don't push it - there's no hurry. We're doing this because we want to, remember? It's not a Production Environment where some pre-specified level of performance is mandatory.
And when it's been long enough, back-to-basics is a great plan: stroke some fabric, do a little mending, go look at art. Give yourself some easy points on the board.
Today I'm making a bias-cut skirt out of silk velvet. This fabric has been waiting patiently in the stash for maybe 5 years. It's my simplest and perhaps most successful pattern, enhanced this time with an invisible zip in the side seam. Love those things! It's going great, and I know that tomorrow, as well as having a great addition to my winter wardrobe, I'm going to be back in the Zone, and ready to make something more original.
And when it's been long enough, back-to-basics is a great plan: stroke some fabric, do a little mending, go look at art. Give yourself some easy points on the board.
Today I'm making a bias-cut skirt out of silk velvet. This fabric has been waiting patiently in the stash for maybe 5 years. It's my simplest and perhaps most successful pattern, enhanced this time with an invisible zip in the side seam. Love those things! It's going great, and I know that tomorrow, as well as having a great addition to my winter wardrobe, I'm going to be back in the Zone, and ready to make something more original.
When I'm not blogging... I'm quilting!
It's been a strange few weeks. Firstly the Wellington Quilt Symposium, where I took two really enjoyable classes: kite making with Robert Van Weers - so much fun!, and "Inspired by..." with Cheryl Comfort. This was perhaps the best class I have ever taken for stretching and increasing my ability to understand what excites me about an artwork, and then bringing that specific excitement into my own work. My sketchbook is full of ideas for new works, and I have begun three, including some hand-quilting.
Came home from Wellington to the opportunity to participate in a "local artists" show at Muriwai... I'm too late to be included in any of the marvellous publicity they have made, but hopefully they will find space to show something of mine.
So I have scrambled to have anything to show... and ended up finishing 8 small works. Much more than I expected, and there was a lot of stitching on the train. I've learned that it's great to have some work of my own on hand to seize an opportunity!
Came home from Wellington to the opportunity to participate in a "local artists" show at Muriwai... I'm too late to be included in any of the marvellous publicity they have made, but hopefully they will find space to show something of mine.
So I have scrambled to have anything to show... and ended up finishing 8 small works. Much more than I expected, and there was a lot of stitching on the train. I've learned that it's great to have some work of my own on hand to seize an opportunity!
more 3D piecing - Migrating Flamingos
After the success of the 3D bow ties it has been great to start off another 3D piecing project - flying geese. This is my favourite traditional patchwork pattern. I love it that the stacked triangles also turn up in Persian carpets as "travelling birds" and symbolise good news.
However I have not loved it enough to sew all those bias seams. The 3D pattern is so easy & I love the texture that the folds provide.
I had a stash of funny pinks, and also loads of "sky"fabrics... so the flamingos are about to migrate... watch this space
However I have not loved it enough to sew all those bias seams. The 3D pattern is so easy & I love the texture that the folds provide.
I had a stash of funny pinks, and also loads of "sky"fabrics... so the flamingos are about to migrate... watch this space
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