Sacred Threads Eye Contact entries – 2019.05.20

When I saw the call for entry for the Sacred Threads Eye Contact special installation, I knew I had to enter! The required size of the pieces is 23″ wide by 5″ high – very long and narrow, and required big eyes!

Violet Eyes

Here’s my first entry, which is based on the same photo I have used for many of my self-portrait quilts.

I started with the same line drawing I used for Minimalist Me, and made it larger. I wanted a bright, dramatic background, and found I still had the fabric I used for Self Portrait with Chrysanthemums in my stash.

I pieced the background to create a line for the nose and for the edge of the face. I used various shades of violet for the eyes – fused them in place and outline stitched with black.

Green Eyes

I wanted to make a second entry, but with different techniques. I was mulling over various design concepts, when the idea of a line-drawing occurred to me – and I realized I could use thin black bias tape to “draw” the eyes.

I cut a 5″ x 23″ piece of white felt. I stitched low-volume fabric strips cut approximately 2″ x 6″ to the felt. The center of each eye is fussy cut from a floral fabric and fused to a darker green fabric. I fused the eyes in place and zigzag stitched around both circles. Then I tried a couple of different eye shapes with bias tape. I liked the more dramatic version.

I fused the bias tape in place, then stitched through it and the white felt layer. Then I folded the front fabric to the back, and fused on a backing fabric.

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Thanks for stopping by.  Today, I’m linking up with these blogs – click on the links below, where you’ll find many other creative and inspirational projects.

• Nina-Marie’s Off the Wall Friday
• Em’s Scrap Bag Moving It Forward Monday
• Love Laugh Quilt Monday Making