Soda Pop to Hip Hop: 2004 (Started: 1999)
As
I’ve previously mentioned, after purchasing my Bernina, I went on a bit of a marathon to
finish some of my dreaded UFO stockpile.
I purchased a new machine because it worked out cheaper for me to quilt
my own rather than send out for long-arm services. I must admit that I also find great
satisfaction in completing the “creative process” by choosing and applying my
quilting design. For this quilt, I
wanted to keep the quilting subtle and in straight lines, mostly using the
walking foot (showing my nervous beginnings).
This choice however, does allow the colours and patterns to shine,
especially the 3D effect of the white pieces, which seem to float above the
rest of the quilt when seen from a distance.
Hence my choice of title!
I was inspired by the works of dynamic quilting duo Bill Kerr & Weeks Ringle, and also Melody Crust who use simple shapes and quilting for great effect. As I look back, I can see the beginnings of the modern quilt movement in their work.
Block Size: 7 ½” set on point
Cut in: 1999
Pieced & Basted: Machine 2001
Quilted: Machine 2003
Quilt Type: Personal Choice
Quilt Finished: 2004
Exhibited: Australia Day 2011
Collection: Home# 036
Pattern Name: Churn Dash or Monkey Wrench
Pattern Source: Hopkins & Martin, 1998 p81
Fabrics Purchased: Keepsake Quilting 17/3/99
Fabric Design: 1930’s
Fabric Style: Cotton
Materials Type: Cotton
Wadding Type: Thin Cotton Batt
Backing: Cotton
Lessons Learned:
I needed a quick fix and this was one of those easy “I need to get back into quilting” quilts. I am still fond of simple geometric shapes and quilting that adds personality to a quilt. I often refer to Lee Cleeland’s book, “Quilting Makes the Quilt” 1994. This is a fantastic resource for checking out various patterns; not only patterns but how different a quilt can look if quilted with alternate patterns. If I had my time over with this quilt, I would have been braver, adding a little more quilting.
 |
| Looking very sunny on a cloudy day |
Somehow
life seemed full of work and no play, so during a holiday break in 1999, I
“went nuts” cutting up fabrics for two quilts.
I wanted to try a few patterns from Hopkins & Martin’s book,
(101 Fabulous Rotary Cut Quilts, 1998 - my favourite pattern source) to use some
1930’s prints I had ordered from the US.
Let me digress... Everyone was so keen on Keepsake Quilting! We purchased fabrics quite easily by mail
order and had their catalogue included in the box of delights sent back to us! We would read those catalogues (or dogalogues
depending on your bent!) for hours and hours. I think I still have mine put away for a rainy
day… Fabrics, patterns and clothing – all things on
offer were far more exciting than those available at home.
Back to the quilt! I
chose a lemon background, a bold choice indeed, to go with my 30’s collection for a scrappy but fresh, bouncy look. I was quite taken with the way the pattern
“tricked the eye” into seeing a 3D effect.
I set about rotary cutting, machine piecing and covering my lounge room
floor with blocks. I kept a selection of
left-overs for my backing which added a nice finish. Before long, I had a
wonderful top, which was relegated to the UFO pile for a while.
 |
| A close-up of my sparse quilting. I've just read that Kerr & Ringle steam their quilts prior to a show. Maybe I should have thought of that too! |
I was inspired by the works of dynamic quilting duo Bill Kerr & Weeks Ringle, and also Melody Crust who use simple shapes and quilting for great effect. As I look back, I can see the beginnings of the modern quilt movement in their work.
(Weeks Ringle also has her own blog, Craft Nectar, which is worth time exploring.)
 |
| Left-overs floating on a Monet inspired backing fabric (framed by a nice view too!) |
Just for the Record:
Quilt Finished Size: 181x 181cm Block Size: 7 ½” set on point
Cut in: 1999
Pieced & Basted: Machine 2001
Quilted: Machine 2003
Quilt Type: Personal Choice
Quilt Finished: 2004
Exhibited: Australia Day 2011
Collection: Home# 036
Pattern Name: Churn Dash or Monkey Wrench
Pattern Source: Hopkins & Martin, 1998 p81
Fabrics Purchased: Keepsake Quilting 17/3/99
Fabric Design: 1930’s
Fabric Style: Cotton
Materials Type: Cotton
Wadding Type: Thin Cotton Batt
Backing: Cotton
Lessons Learned:
I needed a quick fix and this was one of those easy “I need to get back into quilting” quilts. I am still fond of simple geometric shapes and quilting that adds personality to a quilt. I often refer to Lee Cleeland’s book, “Quilting Makes the Quilt” 1994. This is a fantastic resource for checking out various patterns; not only patterns but how different a quilt can look if quilted with alternate patterns. If I had my time over with this quilt, I would have been braver, adding a little more quilting.
