While producing the book, Choosing Quilting Designs–one of the volumes of the Rodale’s Successful Quilting Library Series, I really got jazzed fleshing out unexpected sources of inspiration as suggested by Elsie Campbell in the chapter, “Great Inspirations.” Since then, I have frequently snapped architectural details with an eye toward how I might find good candidates for quilting. Here are some elegant ones, all in wrought iron, from my trip to Brussels, Belgium earlier this year:
My hubby and our friends walked the Art Nouveau neighborhoods, and I could hardly stop snapping:
But here’s my all-time favorite design:
That window design was the one that inspired my latest piece of wearable art. As I was designing for summer, it unfurls itself as free-motion stitchery and applique rather than quilting. I used it to embellish–and rescue–a sort of kimono top that I got at Loehmann’s decades ago. It came with a skirt that no longer fits–go figure! (Cuz my figure has already gone!).
Oh so blah!
Click on this to enlarge for an embarrassing bootie call!
Traced the blown-up window image onto Sulky Solvey.
So now I had a pattern to follow, and a stabilizer. Once the lines were free-motion stitched with a heavy thread–like King Tut, the kimono was rinsed, and the Sulky Solvey dissolved.
Next, I added circle and leaf shapes: pulling from my black and white fabrics, with Wonder-Under to fuse, a lighter-weight thread to outline and secure.
Doncha like the modesty panel I added to the bottom–to cover my bottom? Also lengthened the sleeves–cuz what’s the good of a short-sleeve jacket, anyway?
If you’d like to hear more about Choosing Quilting Designs, learn about it here.
Wanna bring a fun program to your quilt guild? I’ve got lots of wearable art pieces that fit a multitude of body shapes, so YOU get to be the runway models for Quilt Wearabouts: Strut Your Stuff. Tons of inspiration and laughs! Add a Show ‘n Tell where guild members bring their wearables–tote bags and purses, too. Just click on the colored text above, and I’ll take you there (so to speak).
Comments always welcome!! No gobblety-gook to type in to prove you’re not a robot! Tell me what you think! Tell me what unlikely sources of inspiration rock your quilting designs!
I love your jacket, and I like the addition of the “modesty” panel. The length is very nice. I use architectural inspirations for quilting designs too. I also use drawings I’ve made from designs on ancient pottery that I find in museums.
Congratulations on your jacket, it looks great. Thanks for telling us about your process. I love all your photos. I must remember to take more photos of that sort of thing.
There is nothing wrong with your bum!….. Gorgeous jacket. Looks real classy!