That was the theme for this month’s Out of the Box (my creativity group) challenge.
This was my first attempt at a face. Creating a face is absolutely terrifying for someone who doesn’t draw. I figured it was time I get over myself on that one and give it a whirl.
I used the hand dyed fabrics I purchased from Judy Robertson at the quilt show in February. LOVED them. Definitely a habit in the making. The hair and the little yellow corners are fabric from Marbled Arts. I was fearful the marbled texture would overwhelm whatever I chose to use it for. To my delight, it took on amazing movement when overlayed with some free motion quilting.
The piece measures 8 x 6 inches. Long live minis!
I threw out the Timetex and used a thin cotton batting. Much happier with the results. Besides being easier to embroider and bead on, the batting gave me that subtle puffiness I love. Now I have to figure out how to get rid of Wonder Under. Any ideas for positioning the fabric with something less gooey?
I love the stuff at Nancy’s Notions, Generations quilt basting spray. Cool stuff, plus it’s repostitonal. did I tell you I love the mask?
Wow! I love the mask. I admire the quilting. Detailed, but not overdone. Thanks for the tips on Timetex verus thin batting. I keep thinking that I need tor try Timetex, because it is out ehre and a lot of people use it. However, I don’t want to be disappointed once I lay out the cash.
Gorgeous quilt! I love the marbled fabric you used for the hair, the swirly cheeks and the beading on the mask is lovely.
Wow. I’m really impressed–the hair is especially amazing. But with the pink cheeks, the beaded silky mask and the red lips, it’s striking and beautiful.
Such a beautiful creation! I love the subtle effect with the hair and your stitching add such richness. Wonderful!
WOW… that is beautiful! I’ve never done anything out of the box… I need to, especially after seeing what you did.
I use Heat n Bond lite. Still kinda sticky, but I like it better then Wonder under. Though, I only use it for buttonhole appliqué. I’ve tried the 505 (or is it 606) adhesive spray, but it’s ooooh sooooo toxic. Works well, but gives me a MAJOR headache.
I wish they made a Heat n Bond UBER lite.
Love the free-motion quilting – it really makes it shine!!
I’ve just discovered Steam ‘n Seam Lite – it works wonderfully, isn’t too sticky, and is super thin.
Something less gooey.. what about the Roxannes Glue baste it? I love that stuff for applique and for other little jobs that just need some tacking in place before hand.
I love the eyelashes. And the pattern of the brown for the hair looks really great with the quilting on top.
Ohmygosh, that’s fabulous!
I really love all the detail. But the most striking part for me is the mask. Very nice!
I use a washable Elmer’s glue stick to position things that don’t have to have a permanent adhesive. It works to hold things until I can sew them down. I also like Wonder Tape. It washes away but sticks really well before it is washed. It is 1/4″ wide, and while it is pretty sticky, it’s thin and soft, doesn’t require heat to apply it, and you could always just use a little piece or two to hold your piece in place for sewing. You wouldn’t have to cover the whole fabric piece with it. Since it washes away, you wouldn’t be able to tell where it was once it gets washed.
Hope this helps!
That’s some amazing quilting! The marbled fabrics worked very well I’d say.
Like Pam, I’ve used “glue baste it.” You can even wash it out when you’re done
I am not a fan of wonder-under. I use Misty Fuse for all my fusing. It’s much lighter than wonderunder and doesn’t have that gooey plasticy feel that most fusibles leave behind. I’ve used layers of it in a single piece and have never had a problem stitching through it all.
Very nice! (I noticed it in the previous picture and wondered what you were doing… )
so cute and colorful!
i love her cheeks! XD
how lovely! this is so much fun and i love it!
I’d say you aced your first face. Emblishments perfect..not too much not too little. Love the eyelashes. Free motion quilting enhances beautifully. Be proud!
Very cool, I love your color choices!
[...] kathy’s totally amazing mask, quilted, with beaded embroidery (kathy, this may be my favorite thing you’ve ever made- really spectacular)… [...]
That looks really neat!
Very fun quilt! Hmm, she kinda reminds me of one of the TMNTs for some reason. Of course that could just be because of the green mask.
I love your face! Especially the pink cheeks. Have you see Susan Carlson’s work–she has a book (Free-Style Quilts) and I think also a website–I think she just uses a glue stick to position the fabric and then holds it in place with machine quilting.
that is SUPER cool!. i love it. well done.
Simply fabulous Kathy!
Gasp what a beautiful piece!! You did awesome.
Lots of great basting ideas, hold the stickyness, I like a glue stick but also love “Sullivans Spray Quilt Basting Adhesive” it is a bit pricey but works like a charm. I use it to position all my projects before quilting.
I love that you have this group that pushes you outside of your boundaries. I’d love to have people like that around me! (Well, I guess I do on the internet. But real life is different somehow.)
wow, the hair turned out perfectly, it looks somehow ‘real’, like the glossy strands in shampoo ads!
I redit the sidebar on my blog recently. I’ll put you under sewing is that okay. Will put you on later today.
It’s beautiful! Well done!
it really is fantastic.
This is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Truly!!! Thank you for sharing.
Just sent you an email RE a blog link exchg request, and then realized you are on Bainbridge! My mom lives there! how funny, small world. Me, I live in AZ
Anywho, let me know if you wanna swap links xoxo NIKI
Happy Easter!
I just love this lovely mask. The colours, the details. It really makes me want to start quilting.
Very good!