Thursday, July 1, 2010

The Process Pledge and Some Process

The Process Pledge

Have you read this post by r0ssie? It talks about quilting as a Process, and invites us to open up and share our creative process. I'm not a super-productive quilter, but I realize I don't really talk about my process (such as it is). This concept of Process is interesting - it's made me refocus my thoughts on the art of quilting, on the idea of what creativity is....all very interesting stuff.

Anyway, I, Felicity, pledge to talk more about my processes, even when I can’t quite put them in the in words or be sure I’m being totally clear. I’m going to put my thinking and my gut feelings out there. 

And in that spirit, here's a little bit of process talk about a WIP that's been languishing for a while. This started as two Moda Fresh Air charm packs. I figured out that I could make some half-square triangles with them, and with my (apparent) complete inability to sew a straight line (I KNOW, right? It's like the only thing you need to be able to do to quilt), there was hopefully enough wiggle room with 5" charms to end up with 4" finished HSTs.
Pile of yet-to-be-trimmed HSTs

Even with two charm packs, there would only be 80 HSTs, which means the blocks could be set out in an 8x10 setting but that works out to only 32" x 40" - not big enough. 

Then the idea of a centre medallion came to me as I flipped through my numerous scraps of paper with scribblings, photocopies tucked here and there, and Flickr Favourites ideas file. These two images, in particular, one from my daughter's old sleeper, and one from a quilting book.




 Here's a little sketch I made during a very boring conference call yesterday:

I calculated that if I make the centre medallion 12"x16", the quilt would measure 44"x56" -- getting there! Maybe a border separating the medallion (with one surround of HSTs), then the rest of the quilt?

Also on that sketch - the beginnings of trying to figure out how I'm going to draw the birdie. I like the one at the top.

This quilt is definitely a work in progress in all senses of the meaning; it's a welcome break from other projects. I have a short attention span, obviously! 

1 comment:

  1. Oh I can't wait to see this quilt evolve! It's looking lovely already. Birdies always make me smile :)

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