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Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Inspire ~ One Step Further

I recently asked a question on Instagram:  If you had to describe your favorite quilter using one word, what would it be?  The response was really interesting.  Bold, honest, passionate to inventive, fearless and creative.  What was the one word repeated over and over? Inspire.  I couldn't agree more!  So, I took that word and ran with it!  


'INSPIRE'
34 1/2" x 18 3/4"

INSPIRE:  Fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.

When I first tried this 'Faux Trapunto' on my Crosscut Quilt, I knew then and there I would be trying it again!  I had an idea and I was itching to test it out.  Again, I've never done real Trapunto.  I've adapted a method that works for me, or so it seems.  



Once I settled on this color combination, the design was pretty much set in stone.  I couldn't pass up the chance to do one of my favorite things...curves!  The jelly roll strips are Kona Cotton and they make curves a breeze!  Precut, perfect size and ready to go!



Even with this panel finished, I was far from confident that my idea for the Faux Trapunto was going to work.  Either it would or it wouldn't.  A risk I felt was worth taking.



The center panel was going to be the main event, but a border of some kind was needed.  I played around with ideas until something finally clicked.  Work it out as I go, my usual method.  I ended up making Confetti blocks and Improv blocks, and then connecting them with a third block featuring an imperfect strip down the middle.  No border for the sides, I have a plan for that!



Now was the time to see if my idea would come together.  This time I took my batting scraps and cut them to 1 1/2" wide.  I thought I would try rolling the strips instead of folding them like the first time.  I like that they were skinny, but it was a fail withe rolling!  Since I stitch the strips down the middle to keep them secure, they basically ended up flat anyway.  Ever changing and adapting!  

I was hoping the skinny strips of batting would make the cursive writing easy, and for the most part it did.  I used lots of pins while molding each letter!  I ran in to a few issues with the loops of the letters.  I didn't want to go over letters and have double layers of batting.  A few snips here and there helped.  There are a couple letters I'm not thrilled with like the 'P' and the 'N'.  Next time, right?!



Now comes the fun part, or the part that mattered the most!  Using my Hera marker, I traced around the letters to make quilting a little easier.  There was a lot of 'feeling' where the extra batting was while I stitched too. It was slow going!  Trying to get as close as possible takes time.



With a sigh of relief that the letters were done, it was time for the best part of quilting.  Waves, curves...organic lines.  Or I thought it would be the best part.  Turns out it ended up being a pain in the butt big time!  

The first go around including changing thread colors for each color.  I quilted above the letters, below the letters and each end of the letters.  I soon discovered that wasn't enough, it looked ridiculous with out the quilting in between the curves and loops of the word.  This is where it was frustrating and difficult, but so worth it.  It created more definition making the text standout even more.  Of course, there were a lot of threads to bury in the end!



The plan for the sides was a matched pieced binding.  Carry the design to the edge.

 

I love how it turned out and so happy I didn't define it with a solid binding.  Taking the extra time was and is always worth it.




Pretty cool right?!  I find myself touching the back a little too often!  The quilting and the different thread colors stand out more on the back.  I also decided to add a hanging sleeve this time.  

   

I've always wanted to do a Word Quilt and I suppose this will qualify!  I didn't have this technique in mind when I wanted to do a work quilt, but for now this will do!  



I tried to keep the pictures and process to the bare minimum for this post, believe me, I had what seems like a hundred.  I couldn't stop taking pictures!  I thought about doing a two part series.  In the end I decided to share it all at once, I just couldn't help myself!



With the current discussion on derivative work on The Modern Quilt Guild blog, there seems to be a lot of confusion.  Me included.  I'd be crazy to say all my quilts are originals of mine, when in truth inspiration from everywhere influences me and my decisions.  Ain't no shame in that!

Inspire, be inspired, use inspiration.  


LINKING:

41 comments:

  1. I like to see your process! Thank you for sharing! Your quilt is great!!! And I agree with your last sentence about inspiration :-)

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    1. It’s hard not being inspired! You just have to look at things a little differently sometimes!

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  2. Fantastic Jayne!!! Of course I love the beautiful sea colours but the letters are amazing! and the binding! x Teje

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    1. I had another one of ‘those’ ideas that needed to be released! I’m pretty happy with this one!

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  3. turned out gorgeous! love seeing pictures in blog posts - plenty can learn from the photos also

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  4. This turned out beautiful. I can't imagine doing this. You made it look doable, not easy but doable for me. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. I never imagined I would or could do something like this either! I was determined to try and if it didn’t turn out, so be it! Honestly, it is very doable!! Maybe others will take inspiration from it and give it a try!

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  5. So clever! Love it! Thanks for sharing.

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  6. Replies
    1. That’s so sweet Libby! I’m going to bring it to the meeting Saturday! Thank you as always for your continued support!

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  7. So lovely, Jayne. I am of course completely smitten with your color choices, and I definitely think you captured the word that resonates most. I like how the "e" continues off the edge of the quilt like the inspiration is reaching out to grab hold...

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    1. Inspiration, as we all know, is everywhere! The hardest part is opening up to it. I am so glad I gave this technique (can I call it that?!) another try. The idea took hold and I had to do it.

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  8. This is amazing! Thanks for explaining the process so well. Hera markers are the BEST for word quilts!

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  9. Jayne, you do inspire. You are so prolific too - I'm a little jealous of your output! I can't seem to get to my studio lately and it's making me cranky. However, reading your blog brightens things up a little. Very very cool piece.

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  10. Jayne, this is so beautiful and inspiring (no pun intended). I love, love, love the colors which are personal favorites.

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    1. I couldn’t be happier with the finish, but I always feel theres room for improvement somewhere! I’m inspired from so many people and if I can inspire anyone…it’s a dream come true!

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  11. Beautiful!!!! Great colors and design.

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  12. Looks lovely! Thank you for this idea, it's really interesting. It would be nice to try it :)

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  13. Well aren't you clever! And talented! I love the soft colors and the special details you always add.

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  14. I think for cursive writing your technique (and yes, I reckon you can call it that) is probably better than trapunto. It's very effective and as always I love all your careful little touches.

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  15. Awesome! Thanks for showing how you made the letters!

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  16. Such a nice piece. Thanks for sharing your process. I really like the borders you created too!

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  17. This is so shockingly beautiful! I love it! The colors, the wavey lines.. Just Awesome! Great job!
    I follow you on Bloglovin.
    I am wondering if you would be able to follow me back on Bloglovin? I am trying to build my followers and hoped my fellow sewests might help me. =) https://AmyScrapSpot.blogspot.com

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  18. Very inspiring and thanks for your showing your pictures along the way. I'm thinking baby quilt with baby's name in cursive!

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  19. Love, love, love! Very inspiring!

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  20. THIS IS AMAZING! I was SO impressed all through your post, telling about your process, then I came to the matched binding. oh yeah! That was the perfect finish! I think you're on to something, girl!!

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  21. I really like this. I like that the letters are not perfect as gives it a natural look. Some days I have great penmanship and others days not so much.

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  22. I love this!! The colours are beautiful and I love how 'inspire' is so obvious without being a different colour. Your technique is great, and opens up the possibility of so many different uses :)

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  23. That is just beautiful. I love it. I agree there is currently a lot of confusion around "derivatives", but as a friend put on my blog post about the subject: "no-one lives in a vacuum" no-one creates in one either do they?

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  24. Nice one! And thanks for inspiring us! :)

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  25. Well, Jayne. I will shamelessly copy your work. I will try but I am afraid it will always be a pale shadow. I am inspired and awed by all that you do. Love your work.
    Hugs,
    Preeti.

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  26. I am amazed at how those letters stand out even with the pieced fabric. What a genius use of batting strips! (And we're all looking for ways to use those odd skinny scraps, aren't we?). I bet that quilting between the letters was so tedious but so worth it for the continuity. I love the yummy colors, the contrast between the flowy middle and structured elements in the borders, and the well thoughtout binding. I think you have followed the intent of your word and inspired us all.

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  27. Love your quilt and colors!!! Truly inspirational!

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  28. Wow. Really cool technique. Thank you for taking the time to explain your process. That quilting in the curves of your letters must have been a bit trying but look at the overall effect! Gorgeous.

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  29. Jayne, you are truly an inspiration! Just beautiful!

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  30. I love how responsive you are to your work and where it leads you. :) The border is fantastic and the matched binding is such a perfect touch! Also I'm not sure this is faux trapunto. It might just be trapunto. :) Not that I'm terribly familiar with the technique!

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  31. you are inspiring. The colors are so soft, love the word, the way you chose to interpret it. LeeAnna

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  32. Inspire? Thats the word that comes to mind overtime I read your blog Jayne. Love it.
    Smiles
    Kate

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