A nice surprise in my email inbox yesterday – my entry to the Quilting Arts ‘Text Me’ reader challenge was featured in the Quilting Daily newsletter email. And again in today’s email!
Which reminds me, my entry to the ‘Map It Out’ reader challenge appeared in the June/July issue of Quilting Arts magazine. I always get such a thrill when I see my work published!
I’m working on two projects right now. I’ve been working for two or three weeks on a custom portrait quilt. The photo it’s based on is fairly blurry, and the heads in the quilt will each be only 3 or 4 inches high, so I won’t do any facial features. I’ve used that technique before in this quilt of me and my sisters, and just added some shading around the edges of the faces. I think this technique will work well for this portrait.
I’m taking photos of my process and will eventually post some tutorials on how I go from photo to pattern, and how I construct a portrait quilt. Here’s the starting photo and my pattern (reversed for use with fusible web).
I spent quite a bit of time selecting fabrics. After several iterations, I’ve come up with fabrics I’m very happy with. I sent the photo below to my customer before I fused the fabrics together to get her approval (she said she thought the fabrics were perfect!) For the background, only the light fabrics have been cut to size – the others are just there to check the colors. I’ve actually done a lot more work on the background since this photo was taken, but will post photos of that later.
I’ve had to set the portrait quilt aside for a couple of days because I suddenly realized a deadline was looming. I had sent away a long time ago for a fat quarter to participate in the Sew Batik challenge for the Pacific West Quilt Show. I realized a couple of days ago that my quilt has to arrive in Washington state by the end of next week. Since mail from Canada to the US takes a long time, I need to get it finished quickly. I’ve always known what theme I wanted to do – Starry Winter Night – but hadn’t really thought about the details. I decided to go with an abstract look, and challenged myself to complete it in two days. Last night I selected fabrics and fused the background. This morning, I layered the quilt, added the tree trunks (most of them have an extra layer of batting for added dimension) and quilted it. I took the photo below at noon. I just have to apply the facings, sleeve and label. I plan to mail it tomorrow morning – some sort of record for me! Then I can get back to the portrait quilt.
As always, I’m linking up with these blogs for WiP Wednesday. Click on the buttons below to see all the people participating and check out their projects.
Terry, I’m so excited for you! How fun to see your work published. You’re getting to be an old hand at it, but I’d bet it never loses the excitement.: )
Very exciting, Terry! Well done you!! I love both of these pieces.
Congrats to you. Love it and your work. Isn’t great when a magazine gets delivered and their you are!!
Hi Terry, congratulations on your published work! How exciting! Just found your blog through Freshly Pieced, your work is truly amazing! Would be very interested in seeing some tutorials on how to do the photo quilts!
Congratulations on your work being published , how exciting ! The portrait quilt looks very interesting , will be watching your progress.
Oh congratulations!!! I can only imagine your excitement. You are fantastic at this type of quilting….love both of them
I can’t wait to see your tutorials! I want to try my hand at some portrait work, looks like fun!
What fun to read about your portrait quilt, and the energy you have to put together that landscape quilt in such a short time! Congrats on getting published – I’ll have to go to the Quilting Arts mag and look for your piece. Fun, fun!
Hi Terry, I did pick up that issue of Quilting Arts and was intrigued with your quilt. Congrats on having it published! I will certainly be back to see your photo quilt and process, if you decide to do a tutorial.