Tuesday, January 17, 2012

How to be an ART Quilter in 7 easy steps

Ha – got ya.

Step one – Find something that excites you. Working in a series is just repeating the same idea over and over again.

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IMG_0389full_jack_fandersonIMG_1819

  • Do you like trees, dogs, cats, houses, sunsets, round things, square things, triangle things.
  • What ever it is start saving images of it.
  • Take pictures or sketch's of ideas that you have, or use Pinterest to keep track of the images you find that you like.
  • USE those empty notebooks, they are yours and NO BODY but you has to see what is in them. Then when they are full you can buy new ones

Step two – Start making thumbnail quilts.  Little quilts that only take a day or half a day to make. Use fusible web. I like Wonder Under #805 and keep several bolts of it in my studio to work with. It is cheapest at Wal-Mart, if your Wal-Mart still has fabric or with a coupon. The stores always have coupons on the computer to print off.

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Step three – Have lots of color choices to work with. If one color doesn’t work find another one. Get out that color wheel and play around.

Step four – Go out and see stuff, not just quilt shows, go to art exhibits, museums, public gardens. Take a walk, or a bike ride or a car drive. Turn off the TV and go to the library, go visit your favorite store and just wander around. I get great ideas just looking in the new book section of the library, or seeing design at Crate and Barrel or Ikea. PLAY!!!

Step five – It’s ok to steal ideas. Nothing comes from no where, BUT change the idea to make it your own.

Step six – Do the work, if you make it once and it doesn’t work out, rework it and make it again until you are happy.

Step seven - Believe in yourself - because if you don’t – No one else will.

We make our own destiny we don’t wait for it to fall in our laps.

6 comments:

Deborah OHare said...

Great post. Thanks for the encouragement and advice.

Millie and Walter said...

I just love your quilts and this post does inspire me to try some art quilting.

Cindy

Laura Wasilowski said...

Great tips Frieda! You are a good example of a success story when it comes to making beautiful art quilts.
And I'm not just kissing up. It's true!

Richard Healey said...

I like those a lot. I seriously lack skill to make them but love them. One day I guess I will keep these on the dream list.

http//richardquilts.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Perfect! My answer was yes , and you definitely got me! lol I love the info and tips...and I'm rolling up my sleeves.

Question for you...You said that you really prefer Wonder Under #805. How does that compare to Light Steam A Seam 2 to work with? Can you place the pieces down and have them "temporarily baste" themselves yet still be moved around??

A long time ago I prepared some quilting appliqué pieces with Wonder Under (I can't remember which #) and I couldn't get the needles on either of my machines to stop skipping stitches. It ruined the pieces with holes and I had to throw them away.

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Wilson Men's Woven 9 -Inch Short

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