Thursday, September 27, 2018

Quilting Spin Art

Because the quilting design I imagined for "Spin Art," wasn't happening - I couldn't figure out how to implement my idea - I resorted to simple walking foot quilting on my Bernina. 

This quilting design is individual circles (not spiral quilting) with stops and starts for the circle and skipping appliquéd pieces of color. So I figure I've tied and buried more than 300 thread tails!

I buried so many threads that my Sench needle broke. The eye just popped off. Sench brand is still my go-to thread-burying needle though, as it has a slide slot for slipping the threads into the eye. The other brand (Clover) has a pop-the-thread-in-the-top opening that I find shreds the threads. 

Those thread "smears" I hope make the blobs of "paint" look like they're flying around. "Rotation" is what I meant to emphasize with the quilting.

"Spin Art" has been rinsed and spun spinned? (Ha! I made a pun!), to remove blue wash-out marker. Now it's blocked and air-drying on the tile floor. It measures 67-1/2" X 67-1/2", and is 96" diagonally through the center.

Binding is up next, but I'm stumped as to what color to use. I'm afraid it needs to be white, and that's my least favorite binding color because once the quilt is used - if it's ever used - that's the edge that will get dirty fastest. 

"Spin Art" is the result of my participation in Paintbrush Studio Fabrics' March Madness earlier this year. The bundle of Painter's Palette Solids was curated by me, and was named "Tiffany Lights." Painter's Palette is awaiting pictures of this quilt finish, so they can social media about it!

Now for something completely different.... or not so different.

Do we look alike? Could this be my sister?
L-R: Me and Joanne
Since meeting Joanne last fall at Bible study, and subsequently responding to an invitation to visit her church (Amazing Grace Lutheran), people frequently ask us if we are sisters. One man, who was a stranger to me, went so far as to speak to me saying, "Good morning, Joanne." The fella's wife set him straight. Our daughter Jill thinks the likeness is "scary."

I'm grateful for a special friendship with Joanne. She's the gifted designer behind the kites and valances I made for the Early Learning Center. She's also one of our fall Bible study leaders. Next week we'll dig into "Faithful, Abundant, True" by Kay Arthur, Priscilla Shirer, and Beth Moore, a study I did back in 2010 when we attended Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines. When we purged in anticipation of moving from Iowa to Florida, I intentionally saved all my Beth Moore (Lifeway) workbooks, in case I ever had the opportunity to repeat a study. I'm glad I did!

Meanwhile, I'm preparing for several teaching moments in October.

On the 8th, for Central Florida MQG I'll be giving a program and demo about how to piece wedges based on Christina Cameli's book Wedge Quilt Workshop. My program is another reason to finish "Spin Art!"

On the 13th, also for Central Florida MQG, I'll be leading members as they make a name badge holder (in anticipation of wearing it to QuiltCon next February) during our monthly Sew-In.

On the 15th, for Racing Fingers Quilt Guild in Ormond Beach, I'll be giving my program "What is Modern Quilting?"along with a trunk show of my modern quilts.

With the start of choir practice, as well as continuing my usual activities (did I mention that I love Zumba?!), everything is piling up in October, and making me feel overwhelmed. One day at a time... right? Linda

12 comments:

  1. Always one day at a time or the spirit quickly becomes overwhelmed. Your quilting is perfect for this quilt, at least to my eyes. It draws your attention around the quilt just the way it should. I love this one!

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  2. I love this one--I hope you'll enter it into QuiltCon!

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  3. I love Spin Art as well..... not so sure I would have buried 300 threads … admire your fortitude.

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  4. The quilting for Spin Art turned out beautifully Linda. I think the effect works very well and really gives the impression of spinning with how you added the lines spinning out from the center for each little color swatch. I don't clearly remember your earlier ideas but the simplicity of this design just works!! Well done. And as usual, you are one busy girl. I feel like slug. Just kidding, but I am never ever as busy as you.

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  5. You definitely accomplished your goal of giving the effect of spinning! It's a beautiful quilt!

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  6. Definitely got motion going on! What a perfect name 😀
    As for all you do—I think it’s your diet of yummy smoothie bowls and juicing!

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  7. I so love how you've quilted your Spin Art quilt--it really adds a sensation of motion and turning, that amplifies your message in the quilt. That is such a cool quilt! Glad you found your twin--I've heard of mine via different people, but that has dropped off as I've gotten older--I no longer look like so-and-so. Good luck with the teaching!

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  8. You might try Spiral Eye Needles (that's actually the brand name). I got some Sench needles in a subscription box and popped the eye off the first one within 15 min. The Spiral Eye Needle brand are differently shaped and stronger. The quilt is beautiful! I can relate to changing plans when the original idea won't work for me...it happens often!

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    1. Hi! You're a no-reply commenter, so I hope you read my reply here! I appreciate your suggestion. Upon further looking, it turns out that the woman who designed and sells the Spiral Eye needle, also designed the Sench needle. So, perhaps the design flaw (the eye popping off), is the same for both brands. ?? I still like the Sench needles, but will be on the look-out for the Spiral Eye too. Thank you for telling me about them.

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  9. I definitely see Spin Art spinning! It's a really intriguing piece!

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