Design Wall......Woven Sunshine

Something new up on the design wall

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This is my first attempt at a woven quilt. I have been following the work of Anna Faustino for a couple of years now. I am working from her book, Woven Quilts.

I made this 36 x 45 inch quilt top last fall. It is now time to complete it so I can include it in an exhibit in September...........deadlines.........they work for me!

The 2 fabrics used for the woven background are: Benartex Glacier Park by Caryl Bryer Fallert. The gradiations in the fabric makes these absolutely perfect for this technique. The fabric does all the work for you!

Last fall I was foolish enough to sign up for my quilt guild's 2009 CHALLENGE. I paid my $10 and reached into the box full of Ziploc bags and pulled out this gorgeous green batik fabric (which instantly reminded me of leaves), with a yellow crayon attached. The challenge rules state that I must use the green fabric and the crayon should be my accent color..........you do know.......rules were made to be broken.

The yellow crayon is very bright.......like sunshine! Sunflowers have always reminded me of sunshine.........hmmm.

I auditioned some of my brightest yellow fabrics, and threw in a few rusty gold batiks to mix things up a little bit.........I think these yellows might add up to a bit more than an accent color. They are a good contrast against the woven quilt top.........it's a start.

I worked with this Phil Beaver sunflower pattern for the Sunflower Quilt I just completed.......it is the best! It makes it easy and fast to create the most gorgeous sunflowers! I guess I have not had my fill of sunflowers, because I am headed in that direction again.

When I begin a new piece I rely heavily on the design wall. Right now it is layered about 6 deep with new work in progress (I am getting ready for an exhibit in the fall and I am working on 20 different quilts in all different stages of completion). So, don't pay attention to the quilts underneath. I threw a piece of muslin on the design wall, pinned up the woven quilt top, the challenge fabric and crayon, possible stem and leaf fabrics for the sunflowers, maybe a chicken or crow.....I like to see all the possibilities together in one place..........after awhile I begin to pull things off the design wall that aren't working.

I pulled out the Phil Beaver sunflower pattern, placed it on the light table and began to trace out the petals onto VERY lightweight fusible.

I placed a Teflon pressing sheet on top of the sunflower pattern (I can see through the Teflon) and began to place the petals in order. This is the easiest method for getting proper placement.......and it's fun.

It is exciting to see the sunflower come to life!

When all the applique pieces are in place.......fuse everything down onto the Teflon sheet.

Wait for the sunflower to cool off after pressing.

The sunflower will be stuck to the Teflon sheet. Once it is cool, it will peel off easily.

Ta-da! Here is your entire sunflower all fused into one piece of applique. I love this method for big applique motifs.

Now I can take the entire sunflower head and audition it in different places on the quilt top until it tells me where it wants to go......it told me it was lonely, and it wants me to go make a few more...

These are some of the quilts I am preparing for the exhibit in September. It is my very first solo show.........."The Evolution of a Quilter". I am preparing 20 quilts that will represent the 20+ years I have been quilting. Some of them only need hanging sleeves or labels.........some of them need a whole lot more than that. Over on the very left edge of this photo you will see those colorful swimming noodles. The completed quilts will be wrapped around a noodle, covered in muslin, labeled and sent to the exhibit hall. It is a great way to transport them. They will arrive without wrinkles and ready to hang. Swimming Noodles.......you gotta love'em!

Weaving Sunshine,

LuAnn

To see my New Work CLICK HERE

To see the Thread Shed CLICK HERE

To see my Exhibit Quilts CLICK HERE

To see Tutorials CLICK HERE