Brooklyn Museum, continued

Loved the fabrics in this quilt...especially the border.   I also like the X design.  Looks easy to make.  Just need the right fabrics.

And I want to make this quilt, too.  Have the fabrics.  All I need is a push to get going.

But this Anna Williams quilt is out of my league.  It sparkles in every way.  I can only imagine how much fun it would be to try...

Beauties in Brooklyn

Want to share a few of my favorite quilts now on exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum.  Was greeted by this simple silk rail fence.  The hand embroidered feather stitch was so even that my machine could never duplicate it.

Next...this Chinese coin looks simple, but on closer view one can see that the vertical strips are also many different "coins" in a variety of blacks.

Of course, I was impressed by these tumbling blocks.  I have a long way to go on mine, but it is a lovely journey...

Was totally blown away by the silk embroidery on this Crazy quilt.  These stitchers must have had lots of time ....and servants!

 Will post more photos later....but I first want to thank Victoria, who shepherded us to this wonderful show!  It was a sumptuous feast for the eyes.

A Nifty Day

LeeAnn, quiter friend from Seattle, suggested a visit to the Bojagi exhibit at the Korean Society yesterday.  The artist Chunghie Lee has taken the traditional wrapping cloth to an art form.  Her silk screened images pay homage to the No-Name women who made these in the past.

Seams shadow through the sheer fabrics and are an important element in her creations.

Shapes are not always the traditional square but are often rectangular....up to 24 feet long!

Kimono is not a Korean tradition, but has been "borrowed" here.  LeeAnn said it would look good on me, and I had to agree!

Not every piece was brightly colored.  This one has inspired me to recycle my silk organza wedding gown into a memory art piece of my own.  It has aged to these mellow shades in the attic since 1959.

Another labor of love for my bucket list!

And if that wasn't enough...we joined her husband Bruce for lunch and a fabulous afternoon at MOMA, where I was also turned on to the art of photography.   I want to say "Thanks, again, for coming to town and giving me the tour .... and new inspirations!"

Celebration

I am celebrating National Quilting Day with corned beef and cabbage, of course.  Finished my quilted 4-patch stack apron just in time for the occasion.  My favorite recipe for cabbage includes dry white wine (not optional), onions, garlic, thyme and Tobasco.  The corned beef is from my favorite deli.  Happy Quilting/St. Pat's Day to all!

Cooking with Wine

I picked this corkscrew print up at the Jersey show.   Am cutting it up for stack 'n whack 4-patches.  This is a purely random way to cut and is full of surprises when you play with combinations.  Kinda like how I cook, too.....

 

I can see an apron evolving here.

Cross Training

 


Have heard that switching to knitting or crocheting or piano playing is good cross training for the over-used hand muscles of quilters.  I began crocheting some mitts for myself and got hooked on them.  This is my second pair.   I need to have "one in the wash" because I wear them all time.  They are very popular for fishing and texting, but I find them so soothing for my wrists...and have even worn them to bed!  My first pair was acrylic, this one is wool, and cashmere is next!  Hope to learn how to do thumbs in the near future...

Channel Waves

Channel quilting has been a favorite of mine for many years.  I first used it in quilted garments, then small wall hangings.  Was hoping that it would be  a good choice for this modern mystery quilt.  Gave it a try, but it was just too blah for this quilt.  Picked it all out (uggh) and started over with a curvy version instead.  I elongated the running zigzag stitch on my Bernina and got the look I wanted.  The fabrics in this quilt reminded me of architectural materials, and this stitch looks like the corrugated tin roofs I've seen.  Because my neck will not allow me to free motion...whiplash from too many rides on the Tilt-a-Whirl...and I do not own a long arm (yet), I am limited to using programmed stitches for my machine quilting.  Would like to know if anyone has ideas on this subject, please!

The fabrics in this quilt have been on my shelf for years and needed some air.  I love this leaf print and have been saving it for....this year, I guess.   My New Year's resolution quilt is done!!! Hope you like it, Miss Merry Mayhem.

More Jersey Show Faves

I was drawn to this luscious silk quilt because it reminded me of my Grasscloth quilt.  Inspired to try one like this in my silk leftovers.  Skinny strip-pieces flying free with flowing boundaries.   When can I start???

Signature Art Quilter Lita Starr's "Not Your Traditional Nine Patch" piece  here.

 "Inspired by..." quilts made by Asheville Textile artists, Linda Cantrell (above), and Mary Stori (below)