My hand piecing class finished up yesterday. The final sampler will have 6 blocks. I’ve got the 5th one cut out and I’ve cut out fabrics for the 6th block 3 times now. I’m just not happy with it. Given the time it takes to piece I want to be really satisfied with my fabric choices. This 4 week class was taught by a very experienced quilter. I learned a lot about EVERYTHING quilting which was quite a bonus. In addition I was the only student! I got to ask a lot of questions. The traditional quilting arts are so beautiful. I want to learn it all. Hand sewing is so wonderfully slow and therapeutic. Who needs yoga.
I’m also sharing a comment I received on The Yarn Farm piece I did for Whiplash. Liz Berg, the author of the Quilting Arts article I used to create my piece, heard about what I did and came over to have a look. How cool is that? This whole blogging thing is surprising me at every turn, a new portal into the creative universe, inspiration everywhere. Here’s what Liz wrote:
What a great job you have done! Use Peltex, Timtex, batting, whatever you like, just make it yours and original! It is really exciting for me to see how someone has reacted to my article! Glad it was of help to you…you did such a wonderful piece. The color choices are great, the composition is great, I love the green fields.
Next time try abstracting the barn some more. Don’t copy the picture…just free form it. Why not keep using this theme or idea and make several more pieces, breaking it down even further! See how abstract you can really go!
Thank you for sharing this…someone else let me know. If you do more, please send me an email to let me see what you have done! That is the best part of writing an article!
Many thanks,
Liz Berg
LOVE these blocks, especially the fabrics you’ve chosen.
That’s so wonderful to get a comment from Liz Berg.
I’m a hand-piecer and hand-quilter. I love it. Others get annoyed with the time it takes me but I don’t mind, it’s a hobby afterall, it’s supposed to be relaxing!
What beautiful blocks you’ve created!
I’m on a blogging break at the moment but with all this quilt-talk, the feelings of inspiration are coming back!
Jac.
Your blocks are so fresh looking…lovely selection of fabrics!
How cool is that! A comment from your inspiration. This blogging is amazing isn’t it?
I LOVE those blocks – the fabrics are incredible!
I especially love the last block. I have always been so into quilts but never made one. Congrats on what is shaping up to be a lovely sampler.
What a wonderful opportunity to take a class from such a great teacher. I can see that for those blocks especially, hand quilting is the way to go. It is quite a different skill, isn’t it? — Well, from what I know about it. I’m considering it for the future — I need more instant gratification right now and can BARELY stand hand quilting let alone hand piecing.
Major kuddos on the comment from Liz Berg. That is a wonderful surprise. It reminds me of when Yarnstorm got a comment on her Kaffe Fassett quilt from none other than Liza Prior Lucy – maker of his quilts. Um, yeah. (Sorry, too lazy to link…) I’d be blown away.
I love your blocks, beautiful fabric well stitched. Your fabric choices inspire me to try different things. Personally, I feel fairly confident in putting different colors together. However, a variety of patterns fluster me. You managed to conquer both at the same time.
I missed your orignal Yarn Farm post. I love it. I want to make my own scenes from my neighborhood. It would be fun to create art that would stay with me long after we leave the neighborhood.
That is too cool that #1, you got to take a quilting class, #2 that you got to be the only student (!), #3 that you created such nice squares, #4 that your yarn farm got you a response from a professional! Are all your days this cool? So jealous over here…
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Hand pieced blocks. I have no words. Truly. And you know how many words I can use if I have them. Stunned.
Truly stunning!!!